http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mini-Cooper-...item2eb9ca0e6f

This is an alternative to a rear sway bar. It's low priced and looks fairly easy to install, but I'm worried about the general physics of the idea.

Any thoughts?

 

Nobody? Wow. Disappointing! Lol

 

It can work but still IMO not as good as a better thicker sway bar. But hey, give it a try and let us know

 

Looks like an opportunity for more to come loose. It's "only" $29, and can revert to original, so give us a report later!

 

It doesn't look like it's really a bad design, it should do what it says, stiffen up the stock bar. The torsion section of the bar is still 17mm though, so the effective stiffness will be less than any of the aftermarket bars.

Jason

 

Looks like moving the mounting points is a way to preload it....
a swaybar is generally NOT preloaded....sp not usre if that is a good or a bad thing, but preloading a steel bar should NOT effect its ultimate stiffness...so not sure what it would change when it is needed, but the preload should change the feel at very low stress...but at max...the stock bar will still flex like a stock bar..limited the transfer of force.
so it might change the feel of a car at lighter speeds/milder turns...it would IMO not change ultimate cornering ability at the limits.
I would, and did spend the extra $$ on the bigger adjustable swaybar......

 

same seller also has another version

 

No, it isn't. It's marketed as an alternative to a rear sway bar. And if it takes you 'many hours' to remove the three bolts on your subframe, you're doing it wrong.
In general 'cheap and easy' alternatives in car parts work out about as well as 'cheap and easy' women. Sounds like a good idea, but you never know what you're getting into...

 

I applaud the creativity but I would not go that route myself. It just increases the leverage required to twist the bar, thus acting like a stiffer bar. I like the idea of the bar having its own holes and not some add-on addition. The extra attachment points concern me a bit as there is more to loosen up.