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DIY - Autotech Rear Swaybar Install - Part 1

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ünpimptheauto

Touring Car Newbie
Location
Northern NJ
Some have complained (on VWVortex) about squeeky Autotech rear bars, after the install.

Having just purchased a rear bar from NA Motorsports, I was NOT interested in having a squeeky bar. So, after getting mine, it was time to do some quick investigation.

It would appear that the bushings provided are in fact, have an ID that is too small for the rear bar. This causes the bar to "bind", squeezing out any and all lubrication originally added during the install. After this, you will get miles and miles of squeeky operation. NOT my idea of an upgrade (plus, the wife would kill me!)

Autotech states on their website:

"Our legendary polyurethane bushings are specially formulated to be virtually squeak-free for years of trouble-free performance."

I'm all for some marketing lingo, but an interference fit on the bar and bushing is not my idea of spectaular quality control.

Time to mod the mod.
 

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Faerus

Faerus

Autocross Newbie
Location
USA
Nice job, I wonder how H&R's and Neuspeeds' diameters match up. The one that matches would definitely have me buying it.
 
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ünpimptheauto

Touring Car Newbie
Location
Northern NJ
IF the H&R bushing diameters didn't match the bar, there would be a bigger issue.

H&R uses some sort of Teflon composite inside the bushing, which would mean reaming it larger would basically eliminate this coating.

 
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ünpimptheauto

Touring Car Newbie
Location
Northern NJ
atomoverride said:
so do you do this for other people? =)
Click to expand...

Come on! There's a sense of accomplishment when you do it yourself! Plus, it's not like its really that difficult to do.

Unless, of course, you're the kind of person that begins his day by waking up at 1pm...
 
loccusst

loccusst

FIA GT Champion
Location
IA
Car(s)
MKV GTI
Good job.....now you should send it to the manufacturer. Maybe they will compensate you......or not.
 
N

nomad

FIA World Rally Car Newbie
Location
dallas, tx
this is perhaps the most comprehensive and easy to understand DIY ive ever seen. thank you!
 
Wild Hare

Wild Hare

.: MR. BIG STUFF :.
Location
Nortvest
Car(s)
2015 Golf R (TUNED)
I still see a gap.
 
atomoverride

atomoverride

Ruler of Omicron Persei 8
Location
Long Beach, CA.
=)

ünpimptheauto said:
Come on! There's a sense of accomplishment when you do it yourself! Plus, it's not like its really that difficult to do.

Unless, of course, you're the kind of person that begins his day by waking up at 1pm...
Click to expand...
No I get up hella early and work way too damn much. Plus I have issues with power tools.
 
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ünpimptheauto

Touring Car Newbie
Location
Northern NJ
I got an email back from Autotech.

Basically, in a nutshell, they claim that their bushing/bar fit is designed to be in a "preload" state. The say that the allowable tolerance is 0.050" between the bar OD and bushing ID. If this is the case, I'm slightly outside of the tolerance at 0.062". Not a big deal, I tell them since the modification is easy.

My experience is that any bushing in "preload" or "tension" will generally mean that any and all lubrication will get squeezed out. I'll install the suspension when I return, and report back my results.
 
W

Wantagti

insufficient funds
Location
Apex, NC
Car(s)
Chevy Suburban Z71
How would you rate that autotech bar vs the H&R? Sure is a lot less money, but I gotta wonder about the stiffness and design differences.
 
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