It's the Little Things - Sway Bar Bushings - Toyota GR86, 86, FR-S and Subaru BRZ Forum & Owners Community

Capt Spaulding · 01-27-2021, 02:02 PM

A while back I built a stash of Whiteline bushings - rear subframe, differential, steering rack, and front and rear sway bars. I installed the steering rack parts almost immediately [really like them], but left the rest sitting on my parts shelf.

Yesterday, I decided to play with the car a bit and installed the rear sway bar bushings. It's an easy 30 minute job and it was a nice day. I have to confess, for such a small investment in money and time, I'm pleasantly surprised by the results. The back end of the car feels much more communicative. The roll from the rear seems noticeably better controlled. And, strangely, the rear seems quieter over bumps (go figure).

Comparing the OEM bushings to the Whitelines the improvement makes some sense. The OEMs were surprisingly compliant - squishy even, while the poly Whitelines are not. No increase in NVH that I can feel. All in all - a great investment. If you're considering larger sway bars and you don't mind a small time and cash outlay I recommend giving these a try first.

A couple of caveats:

1. I have not done the fronts. That's a somewhat bigger job and I'm back in procrastination mode.

2. My buds from my m/c road racing and sportbiking days refer to me as "the princess" [relating the fabled girl who could feel a pea through a dozen mattresses]. I can get annoyed by tires that are 2 or 3 pounds down, or small changes in shock preload or damping. You may not notice any difference. I may also be out of my mind.

All that wind aside - I'm a happy camper.

NLSP · 01-27-2021, 02:40 PM

Thanks for the review. Seeing this makes me more inclined to install the Energy Suspension sway bar bushings that I have and been sitting around for a while. I'm sure my stock bushings need a refresh anyway after almost 100k miles...

Thefalls · 01-28-2021, 01:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NLSP

Thanks for the review. Seeing this makes me more inclined to install the Energy Suspension sway bar bushings that I have and been sitting around for a while. I'm sure my stock bushings need a refresh anyway after almost 100k miles...

Go for it.

I will be waiting for your review.

The above is a nice review and its tempting me already. Lol!

norcalpb · 01-28-2021, 02:35 PM

I also have poly bushings on OEM sway bars (front is TRD). It makes things feel more "linear" when the car's suspension compresses going around a corner.

Plus look at this freaking orange bling:

01-27-2021, 02:02 PM	#1
Capt Spaulding Persona Non Grata Join Date: Nov 2015 Drives: '15 BRZ (WRB) Location: On the Border Posts: 1,882 Thanks: 2,016 Thanked 2,780 Times in 1,200 Posts Mentioned: 10 Post(s) Tagged: 1 Thread(s)	It's the Little Things - Sway Bar Bushings A while back I built a stash of Whiteline bushings - rear subframe, differential, steering rack, and front and rear sway bars. I installed the steering rack parts almost immediately [really like them], but left the rest sitting on my parts shelf. Yesterday, I decided to play with the car a bit and installed the rear sway bar bushings. It's an easy 30 minute job and it was a nice day. I have to confess, for such a small investment in money and time, I'm pleasantly surprised by the results. The back end of the car feels much more communicative. The roll from the rear seems noticeably better controlled. And, strangely, the rear seems quieter over bumps (go figure). Comparing the OEM bushings to the Whitelines the improvement makes some sense. The OEMs were surprisingly compliant - squishy even, while the poly Whitelines are not. No increase in NVH that I can feel. All in all - a great investment. If you're considering larger sway bars and you don't mind a small time and cash outlay I recommend giving these a try first. A couple of caveats: 1. I have not done the fronts. That's a somewhat bigger job and I'm back in procrastination mode. 2. My buds from my m/c road racing and sportbiking days refer to me as "the princess" [relating the fabled girl who could feel a pea through a dozen mattresses]. I can get annoyed by tires that are 2 or 3 pounds down, or small changes in shock preload or damping. You may not notice any difference. I may also be out of my mind. All that wind aside - I'm a happy camper. __________________ Slow is smooth, and smooth is fast

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01-27-2021, 02:40 PM	#2
NLSP Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Drives: 2014 Ultramarine FR-S Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 517 Thanks: 414 Thanked 543 Times in 244 Posts Mentioned: 2 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Thanks for the review. Seeing this makes me more inclined to install the Energy Suspension sway bar bushings that I have and been sitting around for a while. I'm sure my stock bushings need a refresh anyway after almost 100k miles...

01-28-2021, 02:35 PM	#4
norcalpb Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Drives: 2013 BRZ, 2023 Model 3 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 2,296 Thanks: 1,212 Thanked 863 Times in 570 Posts Mentioned: 15 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	I also have poly bushings on OEM sway bars (front is TRD). It makes things feel more "linear" when the car's suspension compresses going around a corner. Plus look at this freaking orange bling:

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