USED Rear Sway Bar - need opinion!

[Ravenlokk]

Hey guys, this isn't directly FR-S related...

I've got a question for the suspension gurus, and people who have experience with used/damaged parts.

I've got a Rear Sway bar (for a lolyaris) from my old car which was rear ended and written off. The body was twisted pretty badly, hinges were 2-3" out of alignment from the impact. Impact was a bit off center so im not totally sure if it was damaged. The rear sway bar looked right still and i pulled it off with a bunch of other parts before sending it back to insurance company for my total loss salvage.

The question is- even if it fits properly, and looks "true" will it be structurally and/or functionally compromised? I figured sway bar would be more resilient then something like a gas shock.

[GTB/ZR-1]

It should be fine, but... If it's tweaked, you're going to be chasing your tail if there are any alignment/odd tire wear issues. And if it's going to be used on a car that's set up for competition (AutoX/roadcourse)--junk it.

[Ravenlokk]

Thanks for the opinion. I got a replacement yaris dd for the wife I was gonna throw it on there along with some new shocks and springs since it has way too much body roll stock. The sway bar made it feel a lot more stable before.

[wparsons]

Just remember that a stiffer rear bar will reduce push or increase over steer. IMO, if it's a DD for someone that doesn't want a car that rotates easier you should only put on a rear bar with a matched front bar.

A previous car of mine had a stiff rear bar with stock front bar and it rotated great, but too much for someone that isn't wanting it.

[Ravenlokk]

Thanks wp, im very aware that it will increase the rate that the rear end rotates- that's the intent. It's a fwd (yaris) so "too much" oversteer is far from the problem. The car wont plow to the outside of turns as much with it in- plus the bar isn't too thick so it will be fine.
I'll probably have to get it out into an empty lot in the rain to make sure its not damaged though once i get it in.

[wparsons]

Cool! I know I had a friend that wouldn't drive my car because it was too eager to rotate, but anyone that enjoyed a properly balanced FWD car liked it.

As long as you know what you're in for you'll be fine!

[GC86]

Originally Posted by Ravenlokk

Hey guys, this isn't directly FR-S related...

I've got a question for the suspension gurus, and people who have experience with used/damaged parts.

I've got a Rear Sway bar (for a lolyaris) from my old car which was rear ended and written off. The body was twisted pretty badly, hinges were 2-3" out of alignment from the impact. Impact was a bit off center so im not totally sure if it was damaged. The rear sway bar looked right still and i pulled it off with a bunch of other parts before sending it back to insurance company for my total loss salvage.

The question is- even if it fits properly, and looks "true" will it be structurally and/or functionally compromised? I figured sway bar would be more resilient then something like a gas shock.

Lay the bar on the ground, and see if it rocks back and forth onto any corner (indicating it may be bent).

Then flip the bar over and check again. Then do it on another part of the floor.

If it doesn't rock back and forth, on about 3 or 4 different spots on the floor, then you are good to go.

Sway bars are made of spring steel, and their job is to resist bending. If it has not bent, then it will continue to be able to continue to resist bending.

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