Page 1 of 3
sway bars, strut brace or both?

Posted:
Wed Jul 18, 2012 2:46 pm
by shav
Hey guys,
Im new to this site, so please be patient.
Only picked up an MY07 Lib GT premium a few weeks ago and loving it. Have been doing some reading here and there and noticed that the libs tend to handle really well with a strut brace as well as a front sway bar. I am all for better, flatter cornering and little to zero body roll. I'd like to focus on getting the car to power out of corners and not feel like the car wants to roll over. Which one would give me the greatest improvement? or is it better to get both done? Looking at Whiteline parts btw.
Thanks in advance.
Re: sway bars, strut brace or both?

Posted:
Wed Jul 18, 2012 2:58 pm
by Rome_BRZ
shav wrote:Hey guys,
Im new to this site, so please be patient.
Only picked up an MY07 Lib GT premium a few weeks ago and loving it. Have been doing some reading here and there and noticed that the libs tend to handle really well with a strut brace as well as a front sway bar. I am all for better, flatter cornering and little to zero body roll. I'd like to focus on getting the car to power out of corners and not feel like the car wants to roll over. Which one would give me the greatest improvement? or is it better to get both done? Looking at Whiteline parts btw.
Thanks in advance.
Get the front and rear sway bars done as opposed to the strut brace. Also look at upgrading your lower control arm bushes. These three mods will make a massive difference.
Re: sway bars, strut brace or both?

Posted:
Wed Jul 18, 2012 3:07 pm
by shav
Thanks for your reply Rome. Sounds interesting. What weakness did the stock lower control arm bushes have?
Re: sway bars, strut brace or both?

Posted:
Wed Jul 18, 2012 3:12 pm
by Rome_BRZ
shav wrote:Thanks for your reply Rome. Sounds interesting. What weakness did the stock lower control arm bushes have?
They are usually shot to pieces in a couple of years. Hands down if you upgrade to ones like the J speed ones you will notice a difference in handling straight away!
Re: sway bars, strut brace or both?

Posted:
Wed Jul 18, 2012 3:32 pm
by shav
Rome_STI wrote:shav wrote:Thanks for your reply Rome. Sounds interesting. What weakness did the stock lower control arm bushes have?
They are usually shot to pieces in a couple of years. Hands down if you upgrade to ones like the J speed ones you will notice a difference in handling straight away!
Sounds like the way to go. I will be getting S&J Automotive here in SA to do any work on the car. Do you know if they deal with that brand or if there is a brand equivalent in quality? Thanks again for your input.
Re: sway bars, strut brace or both?

Posted:
Wed Jul 18, 2012 3:46 pm
by cruisn
A front strut brace is something to do to make your engine bay pretty. Thats about it.
Swaybars first, then LCA bushes if yours are cracked.
Re: sway bars, strut brace or both?

Posted:
Wed Jul 18, 2012 3:55 pm
by shav
cruisn wrote:A front strut brace is something to do to make your engine bay pretty. Thats about it.
Swaybars first, then LCA bushes if yours are cracked.
Thanks mate. Will certainly head down that path when the time comes. I have the car booked into S&J for an inspection so I am sure they will report any findings. But this info is great to know. I value sway bars pretty high but wasnt sure on the the strut braces.
Re: sway bars, strut brace or both?

Posted:
Wed Jul 18, 2012 3:59 pm
by yipming
Whiteline is another company. Actually, they can provide everything for the Liberty.
I must say my strut bar helped though. The improvement isn't actually from "better cornering" but the car is less flexing and creaking on rough roads.
Re: sway bars, strut brace or both?

Posted:
Wed Jul 18, 2012 4:05 pm
by shav
yipming wrote:Whiteline is another company. Actually, they can provide everything for the Liberty.
I must say my strut bar helped though. The improvement isn't actually from "better cornering" but the car is less flexing and creaking on rough roads.
Interesting thoughts. I spose a strut brace isnt out of the question, but rather I'd prefer best bang for buck handling mods that know I will notice when cornering. I could look at the SB if cash starts falling out of my pockets. lol
I'm just after better than standard cornering ability, little to no body roll for when I drive in the hills.
Re: sway bars, strut brace or both?

Posted:
Wed Jul 18, 2012 4:12 pm
by kiks
put real tyres on.
Re: sway bars, strut brace or both?

Posted:
Wed Jul 18, 2012 4:15 pm
by shav
kiks wrote:put real tyres on.
That would help. Currently have some Kuhmo's on it now that came with the car. Once they wear out, will look at some Potenza's or something.
Re: sway bars, strut brace or both?

Posted:
Wed Jul 18, 2012 5:44 pm
by iisshhyy
S&J (very reputable I know) will more than likely charge you an arm and a leg for something like this. Contact a member on here called Phat GT (he's in the vendors section), give him a call and let him know what you want. Lot's of members on here have used the JSpeed bushes & all have had very good feed back.
Then remove the control arms and take them into a workshop to press out the old bushes and replace with new ones.
Re: sway bars, strut brace or both?

Posted:
Wed Jul 18, 2012 5:54 pm
by seanmau5
Definitely speak to PHAT. Get your J-Speed bushes through him & for extra bling, Cusco swaybars and heavy duty mounts.
Alternatively, if you don't care what colour your swaybars are then PM Taylor (t.renshaw34) for a set of Whiteline swaybars, heavy duty mounts & while you're there pick up an anti-lift kit.
Re: sway bars, strut brace or both?

Posted:
Wed Jul 18, 2012 5:57 pm
by iisshhyy
seanmau5 wrote:Definitely speak to PHAT. Get your J-Speed bushes through him & for extra bling, Cusco swaybars and heavy duty mounts.
Alternatively, if you don't care what colour your swaybars are then PM Taylor (t.renshaw34) for a set of Whiteline swaybars, heavy duty mounts & while you're there pick up an anti-lift kit.
but blue means they're better....right?
Re: sway bars, strut brace or both?

Posted:
Wed Jul 18, 2012 6:31 pm
by Stomps
whiteline front sway bar: $130
Whiteline rear sway bar: $170
AVO rear HD mounts: $140
Whiteline endlinks: $130x2 (front and rear)
get these.. fit them yourself and notice HUGE handling improvements... especially for what you spend..
obviously replacing LCA bushes etc..will also tighten up the feel of the car..
then anti lift kit, RCA kit, etc.. etc.. the list is very long.. just depends on what you want to spend and where your priorities lie..
Note, swaybars, stiffer shocks/springs will decrease body roll etc.. but if you have rubbish tires on the car, most of the performance benefit will be lost..