Hey guys!

I'm all about the inexpensive mods and b/c of that I started looking into the idea of taking a stock 'S' rear sway bar and puttin it on my justacooper.

Has anyone out there done this? Any advice, such as what to make sure of before I buy a used one, installation, etc?

Thanks!

 

I've done it. Don't spend more that $20-30 for a used one. There are plenty of them out there and the pricing should be competitive. I've even seen some folks give them away.

The install isn't easy but it isn't hard. I recommend having some help, especially if you know somebody who has done the install before. Also, having all the proper tools and torque specs will save you tons of aggravation.

Keep in mind that the bushings from your old bar should work with the new one.

As far as the mod goes, remember you're only gaining 1-2 millimeters in diameter (I think 15 to 16 or 17mm ???). The performance change is very subtle and in time, not even noticeable. If you are doing it for the upgrade, I might suggest waiting and going for a thicker bar (19mm or more). If you are doing it, because you like to tool with your car and want the experience, then go for it. For $20-30 and about an hour of your time, it's well worth it.

 

Robb you should be able to find a free one. Seems like everyone with a MCS puts a larger rear bar on. I'd give you mine, but it's sitting in rigidjunkie's garage. You might ask him if he plans on using it.

I know it's easy to spend someone else's money, but here goes. If I was going to the work of putting a rear bar on I'd be installing a 19mm H-Sport. That's what I have on my car & I love it.

 

Thanks for the info guys!

I might try to find a 'freebie' and just use the install of it as 'experience' gaining

 

Carve, you can have mine if you want it. let me know and I'll either bring it to breakfast or you can pick it up at my plant in Springfield.

 

He can have mine...and I'm closer...neener-neener!

 

Hey Jeff, bring yours with you to the next breakfast. I'm sure someone would gladly swap you a donut for one.

 

Sorry, Chuck...I'm staying put for awhile. Went to the Dr. today and he found that I'm just a tad short of pneumonia. He put me on mega antibiotics and some other stuff for at least the next week and then I need to go back to see if the crackling in my left lung has stopped when I breathe. I KNEW when I started wheezing in Spain 2 weeks ago, that I had something nasty. At least you WILL be happy to know that I haven't been smoking cigars lately.

 

Oh heck Jeff, If you'd have called I could have diagnosed you over the phone. That crackling on your left side is from you wife giving you the elbow when you snore.

Take care of yourself & no smoking those buckeye cigars.

 

Ewwww...buckeye cigars...nasssstyyyyyyyyy. In times like these, only a mild cigar would work...IF I had the nerve to smoke one, which, right now, I do not. Last night's "episode" here in front of the PC made me happy as all get out that I do not smoke in the house, let alone when I am sick.

 

Heh, sorry to cause a rivalry here guys!

Since I can't make it to the breakfast this month, I'm thinking that I might just go with picking up Jeff's.

Unless, of course CHK's is better for some reason ???

 

Hope you feel better soon Jeff! That sounds pretty crappy...

 

> Seems like everyone with a MCS puts a larger rear bar on.

Ummm... wait a second. Even most MCS girls put a larger rear on????
Seriously, why would I need a larger rear bar? Explain please.

And, on another note, is "Earl Gry" (OH plate) on here? I followed him today.

 

The larger rear swaybar will help your MINI turn in a bit quicker into a turn. MINI's have pretty good turn in as they come from the factory. If you want a bit tighter handling then get a bigger back end. swaybar

 

It's not so much the larger size of the swaybar, it's the number of holes for stiffening adjustment that the after market swaybars offer over the standard ones. The OEM only has one hole while the aftermarket ones offer 2 and even 3 holes.

 

I have to disagree with ya old buddy. Yes there are more holes, but at every setting the aftermarket bar is going to be stiffer than the oem one. Why, because the bar is thicker than the oem one. The length of each bar is the same, but the diameter is thicker on the aftermarket bar. Stock MCS 17mm H-Sport 19MM that's plus 2MM.

 

yah, even at the least aggressive setting, a 19mm bar is still a pretty large percentage stiffer than the stock bar.

I've got a stock MCS front if anyone wants one for any reason

 

I understand that, but he has a Cooper and just wants an OEM MCS bar, which has one hole on each side. I KNOW the MCS OEM is thicker than the OEM MC bar, but what I was saying is that the aftermarket bars have 1-2 more holes and thus give the MC owner more choices of stiff settings. So, really, we are not in disagreement after all, huh?

 

Yep, guess I'm stuck in a holie.

 

Nah...we just think of the same stuff but on different wavelengths. You talk in terms of technical while I do the confusing, roundabout way that basically emphasizes my overall ignorance of all things mechanical.

 

Technically speaking I resemble that remark.

 

Hey Carve,
If you are still on the fence let me help push you over and encourage you to go for the S rear bar on your MC. I did this 4 years ago and it totally took care of the initial lift from the rear when entering a curve that was not in sync with the way the front was setting up. The S rear bar balances this movement and moved the car more toward neutral handling with still abit of understeer for safety. I suspect my car leans a slight bit more than a car with full sport suspension but that is OK as it is still pretty darn flat and my slippery flat leather seats are my limiting factor anyway. And my dash doesn't rattle!

Remember that with the smaller front bar (than an S) and lighter unsprung weight (than a stock S setup) you have with the 15 inch wheels and tires, the stock S bar is going to be more effective than it was with the S suspension and wheel setup. If you decide you need more lbar later for the track or somesuch you can move up then. The price is certainly right and on an MC this swap is really easy because you don't even have to disconnect the shocks because there is no rear battery so no wires running down the center of the car that are in the way. You can just rotate the bar 180 so the eyelets (bar end holes) are facing forward and snake the bar in and out. Just be careful and have the car well supported on jack stands before you wiggle under there. Go for it...this is the bar the car should have come with to start with.

 

You have made a very good point.

 

Robb, take Jeff's and I'll give mine to Kim

 

Thanks minitoo!

I'm in contact with welchman and will be picking it up sometime this week most likely!

Thanks to everyone else for the info!