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Review Hotchkis sway bars

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Old 11-28-2016, 07:50 PM
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4DRZ
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Hotchkis sway bars

I installed a set of these on my '13 G37S sedan earlier this year. Like any larger sway bar, they do make the car corner more level and predictably. I noticed a bigger improvement in handling from my Tein Basis coilovers and Bridgestone RE-71R tires, but for the money, the Hotchkis sway bars offer a good value.

The sway bars also come with their own bushings and mounts with grease ports. This is a nice touch as aftermarket sway bars tend to dry out and squeal horribly. I have not had this issue yet, but the grease ports make it much easier to remedy.

These bars are large and heavy- I think I may have even lowered my center of gravity. They fit just fine, but if you plan on adding an oil cooler, just plan to get a little creative with the fittings and oil lines.



Last edited by Rochester; 05-17-2019 at 09:16 AM. Reason: Tagged review to the title
Old 11-29-2016, 01:51 PM
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JM Auto Racing
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Nice write up. The Hotchkis bars are definitely proven to work and improve the quality of the ride. That is why they are the best selling bars we carry.
Old 12-01-2016, 07:41 PM
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I think they are the best selling just because "Hotchkis" is fun to say
Old 12-07-2018, 02:37 PM
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UPDATE: After having these bars on the car for a couple of years I can say there are definite advantages and disadvantages. As long as you remember to grease the zerk fittings regularly, it seems to keep the bars from squeaking. However, I think good marine quality grease on any other sway bar would probably have the same effect without as much maintenance. The front zerk fittings are also a bit tough to get to if you have a ZSpeed under tray. (I'm not sure how easy they are to get to with the oem under tray) The other issue is that they absolutely destroy front end links after just a few track days. So if your car is just driven on the street and you are not underneath it working on it often, these may not be the best option.
Old 12-09-2018, 04:12 PM
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slartibartfast
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My front end links are still good after a year and a half. Have done four track events, too. Now, one of the rears died the same day I lowered the car. Yanked the ball end right out of the socket.
Old 12-10-2018, 04:11 PM
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Originally Posted by slartibartfast
My front end links are still good after a year and a half. Have done four track events, too. Now, one of the rears died the same day I lowered the car. Yanked the ball end right out of the socket.
What? Really?? Either you only drive your car in reverse or it is the fifth track day that eats your front end links. That is strange that your endlinks have done the opposite of mine with the Hotchkis sway bars. It looks like the one constant is that Hotchkis sways like to eat end links.
Old 12-10-2018, 04:52 PM
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JSolo
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I must be driving like grandma. Installed the eibach sways back in early 2012. Used the grease they included. 34K miles later still no noise or busted end links. I corner fast and smooth, but not violently transition side to side.

Ymmv
Old 12-10-2018, 05:26 PM
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Originally Posted by Jsolo
I must be driving like grandma. Installed the eibach sways back in early 2012. Used the grease they included. 34K miles later still no noise or busted end links. I corner fast and smooth, but not violently transition side to side.

Ymmv
No, it's the bars and mounts- not your driving. I have had Eibach sways before (as well as many other brands on other cars) and never had an issue with sway bar end links. The Hotchkis sway bars are so huge and the mounts are so rigid that the endlinks are the weak link (by a lot).
Old 12-11-2018, 01:27 AM
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Originally Posted by 4DRZ
What? Really?? Either you only drive your car in reverse or it is the fifth track day that eats your front end links.
Hush, you. I have a track event this weekend.
Old 12-11-2018, 01:11 PM
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Originally Posted by slartibartfast


Hush, you. I have a track event this weekend.
Did I say 5th? I meant 10th...
Old 12-11-2018, 04:15 PM
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youdunseeme
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Just brought a set of hotchkis, can't wait to install them!
Old 12-11-2018, 04:21 PM
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Originally Posted by youdunseeme
Just brought a set of hotchkis, can't wait to install them!
How gigantic does the front bar seem to you?
Old 12-11-2018, 04:26 PM
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youdunseeme
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Originally Posted by 4DRZ
How gigantic does the front bar seem to you?
​I haven't got them yet but it seems large by the pic
Old 12-11-2018, 04:29 PM
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Originally Posted by youdunseeme
​I haven't got them yet but it seems large by the pic
It's ridiculous. The only other vehicle I have ever seen that was even close was a Nissan Titan and that seemed huge even for a big truck.
Old 12-27-2020, 08:31 PM
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Hey guys sorry to bring up an old thread, I just had a question for the rear end links. I'm planning on installing a hotchkis sway bar but since I like to be prepared I was wondering where I could find some good end links for an '08 base G37. I'm not planning on buying them immediately but just in case the sway bar does end up eating the OEM end links I could know where to get some good quality ones.


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