Just finished installing an Alta 22mm rear sway bar. Many thanks to those of you who did this before me and documented your steps here at NAM.

The scariest part of the install for me was jacking up the second side after the first was on jackstands. Went slow without any drama. The only slightly difficult part was bolting the subframe back after the new sway bar was put in. I had to to this by myself so I just grabbed the jack and jacked the subframe up a bit then pulled it to get the bolts started.

Big change noticed in the test drive afterwards. Much flatter through the corners. I set the bar on the middle setting and didn't get too wild on the test drive as it was on public streets, but I'm very happy with this mod.

Total install time was probably 3 hours but I took my time and split the install between Fri night and Sat morning.

 

Great! It's good to hear things went so well and your happy!

 

How did it affect the ride comfort? Much change?

 

I haven't noticed a difference in the ride comfort.

 

Pinmaniac, you beat me too the punch.

I too just finished installing a 22mm Alta bar. Jacking it up also was a bit odd, I haven't found a good rear jacking point yet. The hardest thing for me, was I was getting excited to get out and drive, I reinstalled everything, THEN put the new bushings on. It was a bit rough.
I also drilled/tapped some grease fitting's on the clamps. It took me just under 1.5 hrs to do it, not including the drilling/taping. I put mine on the 1st setting.

WOW, my girl sure drives killer now! The biggest thing I noticed, is I find that it feels that the steering wheel has dropped 20lbs! It take NO effort to turn now, everything is SO smooth and easy. I am very happy. Aaahhhhhh!

 

+1 on the 22mm bar. Very flat now. No "body roll, then set for the turn". Just turn!

Robin, swaybars (anti sway bars) really have negligable effect on ride comfort. For most of us, ride comfort is defined on how the car feels running down the road and that's a function of tires and spring rates (shocks and springs) The tire's spring rate, as you know, is much nicer on non-runflats vs the harsh ride of the runflats. The sway bar doesn't come into use till the car is turned, for the most part. The only potential negative effect the rear sway will have is that impacts felt on one wheel will be transmited to the wheel connected to it via the swaybar. To be honest, I've never noticed it. Then again, maybe I'm clueless and others may have more to add.

 

Glad everyone is enjoying the new cornering attributes! "Howard" is beggin for one too! Need to finish some other projects (audio) then back to the suspension.

Thanks for posting guys!

 

Did you install new links as well, or just the sway bar? The better bushings came with the bar, right? I assume you didn't get the Sport Suspension.

 

TheBigNewt: The bar does include bushings and hardware. Sorry for any confusion!

 

do any of you guys backup this thicker sway bar with some kind of sub frame brace or anything? Thicker sway bars on a Honda (i'm still into them) would cause subframes breakage on occasion

 

The subframe on the mini is set up a little differently, the honda bars that bolt to the subframe are there because its pretty convenient, on this car the link location points are much further inboard. I don't think you'll have a problem, the r56 rear and r53 rear are similar and I haven't seen anything about r53 owners breaking their rear subframes.

 

awesome info thanks a lot

 

Can you powdercoat sway bars?

 

A good powdercoat shop can powdercoat anything.

 

Our bars come powdercoated vs. painted. FYI not poking!

 

I am rather new to the MINI and have a dumb question: I have an MCS with the Sport Suspension. Is it worth it to upgrade for me and would I do front and back bars?
Thanks to anyone that can give me some insight!

 

Yep - the bar can survive the heat of the curing oven with no problems. Not everything can be powdercoated, but sway bars aren't an issue.

 

+1

 

yeah i have a mcs with ss too. i was wondering if its worth it to upgrade too? the stock sways are are 19mm right?

chickenplucker: what does +1 mean?