DIY: TSX Rear Sway Bar swap for 8th Gen Accord - video

[Pete240z]

I just ordered it at Joe Rizza Acura in Orlando Park, Illinois. Great place as they worked with me on pricing to match the Internet dudes. We shall see handling when it gets here in 2 weeks.

[Pete240z]

I just installed it. I do suggest penetrating oil a few days before, remove both rear tires, and throw on some jack stands so you can easily get to the bolts from the wheel wells.

It fit perfectly. Really pumped!

[yimboslice]

awesome! will have to look in this because the bodyroll on a stock car is too much for me until i get my suspension.

[pablome]

Good site's for purchase for someone in Canada? I think it's around $110 and $10 for bushings from an Acura dealership.

[Pete240z]

Originally Posted by pablome

Good site's for purchase for someone in Canada? I think it's around $110 and $10 for bushings from an Acura dealership.

I printed off the Internet dealer information and asked my local dealer to match prices. After a few minutes of me whining, they matched and ordered the parts for me.

[vickini]

i did it. the car is stiffer but still have body-roll during the curves. little bit regret. i should have upgrade it to 19mm

[outersquare]

I finally installed the TSX RSB on the i4 coupe and atleast for the i4 coupe, it is totally not worth it.

One of my endlinks was stuck and i sat there spraying it with liquid wrench for half an hour before it started to break.
I only jacked up one side and removed one wheel, because the coupes are lower, everything is harder to reach.
The bar is under some tension so it really helps to have two people when installing the new bar.

Also the coupes are already lower and have better suspension from the factory, so the benefit is much smaller.
I only notice modestly better tracking and stability, only if I am going really fast around say a freeway interchange.
There is pretty much zero effect at low speed cornering.

From the coupe perspective, because our handling is already better to start, the upgrade in size much smaller, that installation is harder and of course the cost, makes this not worthwhile.

When I did the swap on my 7G it was much easier and faster. The spec difference between stock and the TL replacement is also much larger so the gains were larger.

For comparison, when i switched from a size 35 (35 lb) battery to a size 51R (25 lb) battery, the 10 lbs off from the very front of the car helped handling more.

[Edaccord08]

Originally Posted by outersquare

I finally installed the TSX RSB on the i4 coupe and atleast for the i4 coupe, it is totally not worth it.

One of my endlinks was stuck and i sat there spraying it with liquid wrench for half an hour before it started to break.
I only jacked up one side and removed one wheel, because the coupes are lower, everything is harder to reach.
The bar is under some tension so it really helps to have two people when installing the new bar.

Also the coupes are already lower and have better suspension from the factory, so the benefit is much smaller.
I only notice modestly better tracking and stability, only if I am going really fast around say a freeway interchange.
There is pretty much zero effect at low speed cornering.

From the coupe perspective, because our handling is already better to start, the upgrade in size much smaller, that installation is harder and of course the cost, makes this not worthwhile.

When I did the swap on my 7G it was much easier and faster. The spec difference between stock and the TL replacement is also much larger so the gains were larger.

For comparison, when i switched from a size 35 (35 lb) battery to a size 51R (25 lb) battery, the 10 lbs off from the very front of the car helped handling more.

lets look at how the 17mm tsx comapres to sedan and coupe RSB .
Since stiffness increase is x^4 . the 15mm to 17mm - approx 1.6x better .
The 13mm to 17mm = 2.9x better so you do see a big increase in the sedan but 1.6 should of improved at least the handling balance of the car (understeer/oversteer ).
The rear bar don't generally give you big response increase as front do cause there in rear but should help with rear tracking and traction along with reduced roll .
I take it your comments are more from roll didn't stiffen so much as compared to handling . Haven't driven coupe hard but the sedans understeer a lot in turns .

[outersquare]

the TL-S 20mm sway bar alone over the stock 7G 13mm made a big difference and was easier to change.
TSX 17mm over stock coupe 15mm, less so and it's harder to do this time.

Despite the theoretical stiffness increase, the sway bar is probably just a minor component of the whole suspension anyways. The main springs still carries most of the load.

[Edaccord08]

Originally Posted by outersquare

the TL-S 20mm sway bar alone over the stock 7G 13mm made a big difference and was easier to change.
TSX 17mm over stock coupe 15mm, less so and it's harder to do this time.

Despite the theoretical stiffness increase, the sway bar is probably just a minor component of the whole suspension anyways. The main springs still carries most of the load.

Correct the 20mm would be huge increase in stiffness (is that a solid bar ? )

Yes, the stiffness increase I posted above is only sway bar, not overall suspension and the swaybar can only transfer tension from main suspension springs .
I have to ask, why did you only jack up one side ?

To remove swaybars it is important to have both sides the same, either on ramps or both jacked up or its going to put a lot of tension on the end-links .

Probably for coupe if you want to feel tight feeling , not just counter understeer a 19-20mm would be my best guess .

[2011LX-S]

Does the TL-S 20mm RSB fit the 8G coupe?

[mobiless2]

Originally Posted by 2011LX-S

Does the TL-S 20mm RSB fit the 8G coupe?

^Yes it does, but you need a 2009+ TL-S bar.

[outersquare]

wow if the 20mm TL sway bar fits everyone should just get that instead, wish i had known.

[las926]

So after reviewing all the posts on RSB I new it was going to be a improvement that I would enjoy. I also new the stock tires on my 2012 Coupe 4 cylinder needed to also be addressed. Installed TSX 17mm RSB and changed to Kuhmo Ecsta 4x rubber all in the same day.

Driving impression: Fresh marshmallow to half stale marshmallow! Really it took a car that took a long time to take a set in a turn to a much shorter period of time. Tires give a much firmer ride but do not squirm, hold a straight line with out as much steering input. The combo gave me a nice performance gain for a very modest amount of money.

Recommend!

[drowned12]

My install experience going from 13->17mm was pretty good. Jacked up the rear tow hook, put on the jack stands, and was able to remove+install the sway bar without having to remove the wheels. I did have a second person helping support the bar as I was finagling it past the exhaust pipe...pull rotate pull rotate pull rotate free. Little bit of rust on the bolts connected to the suspension but they're not torqued down very hard at the factory. Simple box end wrench got it.