Ballinger

The sway bars on the '09 RL are stiffer than those used in the 05-08 models. The '09 versions are of greater diameter and the front is tubular (lighter and stiffer...bonus). Both retrofit onto the 05-08 by changing the mounting bushings and the sway bars, onto the same mounting locations.

The parts and list prices are as follows:

Front Sway Bar, PN 51300-sja-a01, $107.19
Front Sway Bushing, PN 51306-sja-a03, $7.10 (get two)
Rear Sway Bar, PN 52300-sja-a11, $65.68
Rear Sway Bushing, PN 52306-sja-a11, $11.87 (get two)

Ballinger

I found a dealer that will sell these for less than list:

Front sway bar (51300-sja-a01) $75.00
Front bushings (51306-sja-a03) $8.00 for the pair
Rear sway bar (52300-sja-a11) $45.00
Rear bushing (52306-sja-a11) $13.00 for the pair


If you're in Vegas, you're golden! It looks like these guys have some deals on parts with shipping pre-paid, but this batch isn't among them. Note that swapping the sway bars is an easy, 8 bolt job for anyone in their garage. Here's the dealer info:


CLINT HOWELL
PARTS MANAGER
FINDLAY ACURA
315 AUTO MALL DRIVE
HENDERSON, NV 89014
PH# 702-982-4160
FAX# 702-982-4166
EMAIL: CHOWELL@FINDLAYAUTO.COM

Ballinger

Warning: although the parts are simple enough there's a vital correction to my comment above: it's an easy job for the BACK, but a monster job for the front.

Acura's manual shows that replacement of the front bar requires dropping the motor. Seriously, they estimate 6 hours in the "how to overbill" handbook. This is a good reason to consider revision to only the rear bar...

Treblig

Thanks for the info. If you go ahead with this project, your impressions on the handling changes would be helpful and appreciated.

037

Why not ask someone who owns a 2005-2008 to compare to 09 during the New York meet?

Treblig

I guess that would work, particularly if one plans to change both front and rear sway bars. May not be very accurate if one was to change just the rear though (given the degree of difficulty to change the front).

037

There's a meet this Sunday, PM Blazing GT, he knows the people better than I do.

Ballinger

"Fredren" already did the rear-sway update on his RL. This is not the type of upgrade that's dramatic in effect, and I think his reports are consistent with that.

I will put mine on Monday.

Treblig

Are you going with the just the rear bar?

Ballinger

Oh yeah. After I got into what the front bar involves, I gave back the parts and will just do the back. I can't drop the motor, and the dealer price for 6 hours of labor ain't gonna cut it. I don't mind spending a few bucks on parts, but six bills is like two tickets to Britney Spears or sumpin'!

Treblig

Please share your impressions.

Thanks in advance.

Ballinger

Since this topic came up recently in another thread, I thought I'd update with my impressions after swapping-in the stiffer rear sway bar. Essentially, the effect is subtle but certain: I perceive less body roll in hard corners, but no effect on ride. This is consistent with how the sway bar should work with the A-SPEC suspension.

Since the car is biased toward FWD, the benefit to reduction of rear body roll is good and appropriate for this asymmetrical (can't justify the front) modification.

knv8

interesting, less body roll is good. any others put this on?

knv8

looks like 20% off parts at acura estore. i did a pickup option, total was Items(s) Part Number Qty. Price Extended Price
SPRING, RR. STABILIZER 52300-SJA-A11 1 $48.62 $48.62
BUSH, RR. STABILIZER HOLDER 52306-SJA-A11 2 $6.92 $13.84


Subtotal $62.46
Labor Subtotal NA
Shipping $0.00
Tax $6.09
Total $68.55

Chas2

Please document your install for the garage!

And them most important....impressions....

knv8

anyone know acura installation prices?

037

$120/hr in Manhattan, NY

Treblig

Ouch! This is a pretty simple DIY'er isn't it??

knv8

forget that, ill go to a local performance shop for $40.

037

you had to ask...

Treblig

Is there more than one Acura eStore? I am seeing only a 10% discount.

knv8

I found a little workaround by accident for 20% off any acura, to take advantage of local pickup. First, click on estore thru an acura dealer that gives 20% off (curry acura), add the item to cart. then, open a new window with your local dealer, click on estore, add item to cart. then checkout with your local store...the lowest price should show up at checkout. Good luck, hopefully it was not just a glitch on my order.

Treblig

Thanks for the tip, but it didn't work for me. 10% is the best I'll get thru local dealer.

knv8

installed mine today, definitely feel a diff in quick lane changes, and sharp turns...less body roll. i paid $50 at a local mechanic for installation, good upgrade for the price, thanks guys!

tlmaster1

what about the sway bar links my machanic recommended to do the sway bar links also. do i get the 09 links or 05.
____________________________________
i have a 05 rl with aspec susp.

Ballinger

You don't need new links, only new bushings that fit in the existing links.

fatty

I just purchased this at Tustin Acura for

$46.25 52300-SJA-A11
$6.60 52306-SJA-A11

The rear is on back order, but this is the cheapest for me picked up. The Vegas one is just as cheap but $22.00 for shipping. If you like you can email Tony the parts manager at tdombrow@tustinacura.com and tell him Victor sent you. I can't wait to get it! Hope I feel some difference. My mod bug is bugging.

Treblig

Just drove back from the dealer having had the B1 service performed. Also had the '09 rear stabilizer and bushing installed. I must say that this drive home was a bit more enjoyable than usual. That stabilizer bar does make a difference

zRLmarine

emailed Tony this morning. so gotta wait for the reply,
fatty how far away r u from tustin acura, im closer to mission viejo acura but i can jump on the toll road and cruise over to tustin , not far at all.

HEAVY_RL

iTrader: (1)

Group buy anyone?

wcoy

Yeah I'm ready for this.

sleepinxlionhart

I'm in for the group buy.

vletnguyen

iTrader: (1)

i'm in for this also

fatty

Im like an hour away, but thats the best Acura dealer that I know of when it comes to warranty work. I can probably set up a group buy if you guys like. Lmk and whats a fair price I can ask. Yeah you are a lot closer than I am.

vletnguyen

iTrader: (1)

Rear sway bar (52300-sja-a11) $45.00
Rear bushing (52306-sja-a11) $13.00 for the pair

so under $60 shipped?

HEAVY_RL

iTrader: (1)

We have board sponsors that are dealers too, I'll ping the "WholesalePartsGuy" (Kaleb).

zRLmarine

ohh a group buy is a good idea, i emailed tony back and forth all day and he gave me $47 and like $6.95 for the bushings, and of course its backordered, but i just told him ill drive up there and order it this week sometime, but i might just wait if we can do a group buy.

+1 for the 60 shipped(or under 60)

WholesalePartsGuy

Thanks for the heads up HEAVY. I ran the numbers and what I can do is offer anyone interested in the rear spring and 2 bushings a total shipped price of $65. That's $55 in parts and $10 shipping. I am in Santa Rosa, Ca so there would be additional tax for Ca residents. It looks like there is a limited supply of these at the time (my locator said one spring and five bushings available before they go back on BOrder) but I'm sure they will release more soon. Feel free to PM, e-mail, or call me directly to order and I will just submit them as they come in. Hope this helps.
Thanks,

Kaleb

HEAVY_RL

iTrader: (1)

Nice, thanks Kaleb.

He has taken care of me on a number of occasions so I may suck up the 5 bucks.

Mr.Tea

How does the 09 rear stabilizer bar make the RL feel? compared to the one we got with the car? Also how long of a job is this to put them on the car.