So I finally got the chance to install this thing, other than the super tight bolts on each side, the installation is easy. I've noticed less body roll when I make a turn, a less "lean" sort of speak. I haven't tried making fast turns but will do so when the weather gets a little better.

 

Be very careful, on Saturday I let my friend drive, I told him to test the drop and sways on a exit. So when we were entering the exit I said "Step on it." He decided to take a 25 mph exit at 70 mph, the car drifted and I saw the light. This was the first time the car has ever fished tailed.
But God sent me back to tell the story. Get use to it first, increase speed little by little, until you know what the car is capable of.

 

Sweet! From what I understand you were saying you got the backend to slide out when you "drifted"?

 

I think my TL's VSA seems to compensate the understeer with little oversteer exiting out of corners as well...

 

I've noticed the back end swinging out a touch on hard cornering, if I ride the throttle properly. It certainly feels odd for a FWD car to do that, but it seems more pronounced with the RSB.

 

Just drove around a bit since the rain finally stopped for a few. Didn't hit hard enough to get the drift feeling but car just feels more stable and yes, it doesn't feel so much like a FWD for some reason. For $100, can't ask for a better upgrade as prices goes.

 

what site did you guys get the sway bar from?

 

Many of us got them from Acura of Escondido on their ebay store. There was also someone on this site doing a group buy for them. I have seen people saying that they are on back order right now so you may have trouble getting one.

 

I know that this is probably posted in the wrong forum,but if anyone wants a spare set of bushings that come with the Comptech RSB,email me and you can have them free(you pay shipping). I went with the Energy Suspension ones.

 

I just bought my CT Swaybar from Shawn at Nopi.com. I suggest you call him for pricing. The toll free number is on the website. I got mine for $110 including delivery.

I paid the dealer $20 to install it with the Energy Suspension bushings. I highly recommend the ES bushings.

 

The greaseable or non-greaseable ones, Jeff?

 

i'm going to break down and buy the greaseable ones soon...god damn comptech started squeaking again

 

i would recommend to install it yourself. If you can work a rachet you can do this...

 

Taking a 25 mph turn at 70??? Did you really expect anything less to happen???

 

I used the non-greaseable bushings because the greasable ones will not work unless you can retrofit them... something I was not willing to do.

Be sure to use the grease that comes with the ES bushings.

 

Please keep us posted. I am beginning to become concerned that I may have installed aftermarket junk on a new $35000 vehicle. I don't see why we need to have greaseable bushings if the OEM bushings are not greaseable.

 

Mine just started squeaking too. I'll be doing it soon.

 

Okay guys, squeaking should not be happening.

How long ago did you install it and did you use the grease that came with the ES bushings? Assuming you upgraded to the ES non-greaseable bushings of course.

If you used the comptech bushings let us know what you used as a lubricant. Thanks.

 

First of all..both versions of the ESP bushings are greasable. The "non" greasable version actually comes with it's own tube of special grease in fact. You just have to apply it manually the old fashioned way... (meaning take it off the car and use your finger to do the job).

When I installed my Comptech bushings I also greased them, with a marine trailer grease. It didn't squeak. According to the ESP site any bushing will squeak eventually if not greased..but the rubber ones more so (which the CT ones are).

Problem with rubber is it breaks down quicker over time and will be more prone to squeaking..the poly ones are a much better and stiffer product in construction quality they're just a way better product than the CT stock ones...especially when you consider the cost (like $15).

You have 5 possible to fix the CT squeaking..
1. grease them
2. call CT and get the better replacement ones for free (which are also rubber)...then I would grease them..
3. use teflon tape to prevent the squeaking...
4. Buy ESP greasable and grease them now and forever..easily via the built in grease fitting without ever taking them off the car
5. Buy ESP non-greasable and grease them

I ran with the CTs for 2 weeks before I did #4. There's not much "retro-fitting" involved...getting #4 on the car wasn't THAT hard...I was the first to do it but plenty of others have done it since I did.

To grease your existing CT ones take them off the car...put on a latex rubber glove..dip finger in grease..and coat the insides of the bushings and the bar itself liberally. Repeat every 6-12 months (more often if you live in a winter climate).

Note: road salt...chemicals..etc..all degrade the rubber versions quicker.

Another more expensive option is to buy an H&R Brand RSB which comes with poly bushings just like the ESP ones (but they aren't easily greasable).

Hope this helps...it was a minor upgrade for me and well worth the $15 I spent on them IMO.

 

Ok, this might be a stupid question but with all the talk about the CT RSB bushings squeaking does that mean that over some time the OEM RSB bushings are going to start squeaking?

 

Great question!

It is hightly unlikely the OEM bushings will squeak during the new vehicle warranty period, especially the first year. Here is why:

The warranty return centers monitor rejected parts or suspect parts returned from the dealers. If they start getting a lot, the supplier will be asked to perform a tear down analysis to root cause the issue. OEM suppliers are charged back for non-conforming parts.

If the BSR (buzz, squeak, rattle) issue persits, IQS (Initial Quality Survey) ratings will be affected and the OEM will have their DRE (design release engineer) consider implementing a running change to prevent further incidents.

 

I've been taking the bushings off every so often (4 or 5 months) to put a new coat of grease on them. Its not that big of a deal as I have access to a lift and usually just pull them off when doing other work on my car. I will buy a set of the greaseable ones (will modify if necessary) and see how they work. I am usually a slacker when it comes to this kind of stuff, so dont expect an overnight report. (For those of you who remember, I was supposed to cut an OEM muffler in half so we could see how it was made....I have the muffler ready for operation)

 

i installed the greaseable ones on my CL, i used the TL sway bar. it was fairly easy to get to fit. and i was in my driveway.

 

Nice detailed reply, Jeff! It seems that bushings in general need re-greasing though, correct? So do they re-grease the OEM bushings during routine maintenance when you bring in your car for service? Or are the OEM bushings the polyurethane that supposedly doesn't need re-greasing (like the H&R RSB?)?

That's my main concern - I'd love to add a bunch of aftermarket pieces to enhance performance but at the same time I want to maintain the quiet luxury ride/feel of the car and don't want to introduce any BSRs... Tough balance but I do have the a-spec suspension sitting in my house that will be installed shortly...

 

^ OEM bushings are rubber.

 

I cannot find the Energy Suspension Bushings on their web site. They don't seem to have anything for a TL much less a Comptech conversion. Help

 

Try this thread , it may help you out some.
There are 2 versions that will work , you have to decide which one you want to use.


https://acurazine.com/forums/showthread.php?t=133013.