I've never heard of sub-frame flex before as a problem on Focus ... but if it is a problem apparently Focussport has a cure.
I tend to trust Focussport, but I'm wondering of this is a solution looking for a problem. Anyone know about the suspension science behind this?
Click here and scroll to bottom of the page - FS034(K)
Don't swaybars do the same thing??
Oscar The Grouch,Jun 24 2008, 10:25 AM Wrote:Don't swaybars do the same thing??
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Not really - sway bar couples the suspensions on each side to each other, and relative to the chassis ... this piece seems to connect the control arms together laterally.
Yeah i want one.. Focus Central had one when they were still around... and i found one on ebay a while back but it was only for the Euro focus...
So i want one of these now.. theres a thread on FF about a guy who couldnt i nstall one on an SVT but theres a pic of on installed in a ZX3/5...
Looks like a good piece
it probably would help, but for the average person it would be a lot of work to put it on.
Canadian ST,Jun 24 2008, 09:51 AM Wrote:it probably would help, but for the average person it would be a lot of work to put it on.
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and that is why sometimes i go to asian automechanic :lol:
great prices-good work
looks like it will help traction on turns and heavy accelerating
Canadian ST,Jun 24 2008, 09:51 AM Wrote:it probably would help, but for the average person it would be a lot of work to put it on.
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Nah should take you longer then 45 minutes to put on about the same time as a rear sway bar... Your going to need a heavy duty impact gun though none of this mickey mouse crap your looking at at least 600 ft lbs in reverse with a min of a 30 gallon compressor.. with the usual jack prybars hammers and so on and so on...
mister_bin,Jun 24 2008, 02:39 PM Wrote:Canadian ST,Jun 24 2008, 09:51 AM Wrote:it probably would help, but for the average person it would be a lot of work to put it on.
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Nah should take you longer then 45 minutes to put on about the same time as a rear sway bar... Your going to need a heavy duty impact gun though none of this mickey mouse crap your looking at at least 600 ft lbs in reverse with a min of a 30 gallon compressor.. with the usual jack prybars hammers and so on and so on...
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Well is that all ;) Like I said not for the average person, I don't have any of those tools. :(
I had one on my old Escort GT. It firmed up corners nicely.
Basically, it has a similar function of the strut tower brace. It's helping keep suspension geometry 'optimal'. Less flex in the chassis, the more the suspension works rather than flexing the chassis.
If you are daily driven, I probably wouldn't recommend it (makes the ride more harsh as it removes chassis flex & quivers). If you auto-X/track days/aggressively approach clover leaves, I'd give it a try. Not too much money for the experiment, and if you don't like it, I'm sure somebody else will!
Same as a K-member brace on a Mustang...
Canadian ST,Jun 24 2008, 02:02 PM Wrote:mister_bin,Jun 24 2008, 02:39 PM Wrote:Canadian ST,Jun 24 2008, 09:51 AM Wrote:it probably would help, but for the average person it would be a lot of work to put it on.
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Nah should take you longer then 45 minutes to put on about the same time as a rear sway bar... Your going to need a heavy duty impact gun though none of this mickey mouse crap your looking at at least 600 ft lbs in reverse with a min of a 30 gallon compressor.. with the usual jack prybars hammers and so on and so on...
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Well is that all ;) Like I said not for the average person, I don't have any of those tools. :(
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LoL Then yeah it would be a problem...
I'm gonna give it a try see what it does... maybe i'll even write a how to...
mister_bin,Jun 24 2008, 07:46 PM Wrote:Canadian ST,Jun 24 2008, 02:02 PM Wrote:mister_bin,Jun 24 2008, 02:39 PM Wrote:Canadian ST,Jun 24 2008, 09:51 AM Wrote:it probably would help, but for the average person it would be a lot of work to put it on.
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Nah should take you longer then 45 minutes to put on about the same time as a rear sway bar... Your going to need a heavy duty impact gun though none of this mickey mouse crap your looking at at least 600 ft lbs in reverse with a min of a 30 gallon compressor.. with the usual jack prybars hammers and so on and so on...
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Well is that all ;) Like I said not for the average person, I don't have any of those tools. :(
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LoL Then yeah it would be a problem...
I'm gonna give it a try see what it does... maybe i'll even write a how to...
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Yah let me know what you think. I want to improve the ride of my car, without slamming it.
^^^ SVT Suspension conversion with a 22mm Rear Sway and then do all poly bushings
Canadian ST,Jun 24 2008, 08:44 PM Wrote:Yah let me know what you think. I want to improve the ride of my car, without slamming it.
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get a rear sway if you don't have one already as well as a strut tower brace and the rear stress bar. i have all 3 on my fofo and you should've seen how fast i cranked it around the corner at yesterdays meet lol. cars not lowered either,....at least not yet.
Spinal,Jul 1 2008, 12:45 PM Wrote:Canadian ST,Jun 24 2008, 08:44 PM Wrote:Yah let me know what you think. I want to improve the ride of my car, without slamming it.
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get a rear sway if you don't have one already as well as a strut tower brace and the rear stress bar. i have all 3 on my fofo and you should've seen how fast i cranked it around the corner at yesterdays meet lol. cars not lowered either,....at least not yet.
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Mine came with a 20mm rear swaybar. I was looking at the 22mm progress bar, you did notice a difference with the front and rear strut bars then? The reason I'm asking is I hears they are just for show? But since you have them installed you would know best. what does the rear strut bar do? I think its just a brace of some sort, that ties in the shocks. I was very happy with the way my car handles when I first got it, now I'm bored, so your help you be appreciated
mister_bin,Jun 24 2008, 10:39 AM Wrote:Nah should take you longer then 45 minutes to put on about the same time as a rear sway bar... Your going to need a heavy duty impact gun though none of this mickey mouse crap your looking at at least 600 ft lbs in reverse with a min of a 30 gallon compressor.. with the usual jack prybars hammers and so on and so on...
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i disagree. the 2 bolts u need to remove only are 150lb ft.
i just did poly bushings last month, and i had to remove those exact bolts.
btw i did it in my driveway with jackstands and hand tools.
this is very easy and doable to install.
in fact i think im gonna build my own bar (the design is so simple)
thenorm,Jul 2 2008, 02:02 PM Wrote:mister_bin,Jun 24 2008, 10:39 AM Wrote:Nah should take you longer then 45 minutes to put on about the same time as a rear sway bar... Your going to need a heavy duty impact gun though none of this mickey mouse crap your looking atÃÂ at least 600 ft lbs in reverse with a min of a 30 gallon compressor.. with the usual jack prybars hammers and so on and so on...
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i disagree. the 2 bolts u need to remove only are 150lb ft.
i just did poly bushings last month, and i had to remove those exact bolts.
btw i did it in my driveway with jackstands and hand tools.
this is very easy and doable to install.
in fact i think im gonna build my own bar (the design is so simple)
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build a whole bunch....maybe you can sell em for $50 :)
thenorm,Jul 2 2008, 02:02 PM Wrote:mister_bin,Jun 24 2008, 10:39 AM Wrote:Nah should take you longer then 45 minutes to put on about the same time as a rear sway bar... Your going to need a heavy duty impact gun though none of this mickey mouse crap your looking atÃÂ at least 600 ft lbs in reverse with a min of a 30 gallon compressor.. with the usual jack prybars hammers and so on and so on...
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i disagree. the 2 bolts u need to remove only are 150lb ft.
i just did poly bushings last month, and i had to remove those exact bolts.
btw i did it in my driveway with jackstands and hand tools.
this is very easy and doable to install.
in fact i think im gonna build my own bar (the design is so simple)
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Its actually 150 ft lbs its i believe 85 ft lbs then you put a 90 degree rotation putting it between 150 -180 ft lbs... Its a bit different and the bolts are 1 time use only but i've heard from Focus sport that they can be re used.
150 ft lbs its the problem its the rust and the bolt seizing up.. I've rebuilt the front suspension on my cousins focus and those bolts wouldn't budge with out my impact.... but it was from 2000 and it had almost 200,000 km...
Another case was when i did the front brakes on my freind protoge.. The Caliper bridge bolts were speced to 65 ft lbs.. try taking them out by hand...
Even when i rebuilt my front sway bar endlinks those are speced at 68 ft lbs and i needed my gun to break them loose then with a 1/2 open socket i was able to take off the nut... Its not just the ft lbs its the corrosion and how the metal has become seized...
Canadian ST,Jul 2 2008, 09:32 AM Wrote:Mine came with a 20mm rear swaybar. I was looking at the 22mm progress bar, you did notice a difference with the front and rear strut bars then? The reason I'm asking is I hears they are just for show? But since you have them installed you would know best. what does the rear strut bar do? I think its just a brace of some sort, that ties in the shocks. I was very happy with the way my car handles when I first got it, now I'm bored, so your help you be appreciated
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i installed both the front and rear stress bars at different times. i did notice an improvement with the front one, it may be more show than go as the difference was not as significant compared to when i installed the rear sway bar. however when i installed the rear stress bar there was a noticeable difference. i think you have to put the front/rear ones in at the same tme to see the best gains.
as for what the rear stress bar dose it bolts onto the spot welds where the shock towers are, along the sides. and it takes the flex out of the body. my suspension is still stock (springs, shocks) but with the 50 series tires i nagged my dad for from his zx5 and the bars installed, it takes corners pretty good. i cant wait to see what its like with the drop im getting.