Hey all, I just wanted to say that I installed the new Hotchkis AWD swaybars (front and rear) on my car a couple of weeks ago.

I'm extremely impressed with the difference in size, first of all. The installation wasn't that bad at all, if you have the right tools. It took me over 2 hours, but I blame the majority of that because I had my car on ramps, in my very cramped garage bay. I had to keep getting out from under the car to find the right tools that I needed for the job.

I do have an air compressor and multiple impact guns. This really helped me a lot since I didn't want to do it by hand. I did have to do the outer nuts by hand on the front (I think front) swaybar because there wasn't enough room for the gun.

The instructions were good, but the rear of my car wasn't accurate so it took me a few minutes to figure out what I really needed to do. Basically, I have to remove the bolts near the exhaust tips, and also the bolt holding the next bracket just after the exhaust (or before..hehe) so it would drop the exhaust enough. I didn't really need to do both sides to get the stock swaybar out, but there was no way of fitting the new one in there without doing both sides. It was only 3 nuts, so not so bad.

Great upgrade! I highly recommend this. It's a cheap way to really change the way the car behaves. My rear is definitely locked more now, so if I'm turning (or pulling out of somewhere) and stomp the gas, the car is much easier to slide. I know I currently have winter tires on it, but it didn't do that before the swaybar upgrade. I may try to soften the rear setting and see if that fixes it. Because, although it's neat, the car doesn't feel right (because when I'm sliding, I've already lost grip) and I don't want that.

The nose of the car does feel more planted. It feels like it dives into the corners now (which no, it doesn't actually do), but because the transition is stiffer, I think it. Again, I think I have the front too much tighter than the rear, so I'll play with it another day. That adjustment should be very quick and I won't have to remove anything but the two end nuts on the rear swaybar.

Hope this helps! Well worth the money, IMO.

 

hmmm i'm really considering this upgrade...but i dont drive crazy, i'm a very calm driver hahaha i kinda just cruise around. I dont know if this would be a worth it investment for me because i dont do those crazy turns or slides or etc...i think the stock system is good enough but maybe i'm wrong..

 

Well, I'm talking if I just turn onto my main road with the gas down (not full throttle), the rear will slide now, which I want to adjust. I don't drive crazy, but I do really enjoy taking on/off ramps to/from the highway at higher than "average" speeds, and I'm not a fan of the body roll or oversteer feeling. That is much less noticeable now. I am now leaning towards the line of understeer.

I like that RWD behavior much more, but I just want to find the right balance now.

 

hmmmm maybe i'll consider this mod =)

 

And yes, to your point, the stock system is pretty darn good. But, now I can't help but think my car may actually behave more like the RWD "sport package" that actually gets this performance upgrade (plus others we don't get).

No, I don't go through down drifting my car though. And, it's still AWD and behaves like one.

 

Mine have been on almost 2 weeks now, love it!

 

I've had mine on for awhile too... 2010 xS just like you, OP. Love this upgrade. The before/after was far more dramatic than I thought it would be.

 

guess im going to have to get some so i can throw them on when i do my springs

 

I hear they're adjustable, what's a good setting for both?

 

Stiffest front/middle rear as recommended by Hotchkis themselves.

 

I have mine on the tightest in the front, and the middle in the rear. I may try going a little softer in the rear and try that out.

 

Do the xS and the S have the same sways?

 

no. If you do a quick search (on here), you'll be able to find that a few of the RWD models have rear sways that fit the rear AWD.

EDIT: to clarify, the S model gets upgraded sways, brakes and suspension. the xS does not. We only get some cosmetics (and paddles).

 

planning to do this soon! ;-D