[joerockt]

Ok, so what better way to spend part of your Saturday night then modding your TSX!

Most people who have installed this mod say its quite easy, and it was, but there are a few headaches and hopefully this will help you to be aware of them.

So, first things first, tools. You will need at least a Ratchet (smaller then the one in the pic, not much clearance when you get under there) with a 12mm socket, 14mm Cresent wrench (or adjustable like in the pic), and a 5mm Hex key:

Now, get the rear of your car up on jackstands and remove the endlink nuts. You will need the Cresent or Adjustable wrench and the Hex key. Insert the Hex key at the end of the thread. If you dont do this, the nut will just spin in place. Repeat to other side.

Next, grab your ratchet and remove the 14mm bolts. NOTE - on the driver's side, one of the bolts is very close to the exaust piping. Your going to need a SMALL rachet for this one.

Remove the bar. This was simple, installing the new bar is a bit more difficult, at least for me it was Comparison of bars:

A bit more thicker eh?

Ok, so now comes the part were I got frustrated cause I just couldnt get the damn bar in the correct way to fit :whyme: So, no pics here, BUT all you need to do I found eventually is just remove the passenger side rear tire. That made things MUCH eaiser getting over the exaust.

So, once the new bar is in place, get your bushings. This isnt manadatory, but I put silicon grease inside each bushing. Dont want any squeaks :wish: :

Just pop them on the bar, put the bracket over, and hand thread the bolts with the supplied washers. Hand thread all 4 and leave them. You will need some play when attaching the end links.

Grab your hex key and wrench and tighten up the end link nuts.

Finally, ratchet the 4 bolts in place. DONE. :thumbsup:

So, after the install, I drove around for about 5 or 10 mins to let it settle in. When you get back, re-torque your nuts and bolts and your good to go!

Took me about two hours, but about 1/2 hour was trying to figure out the best way to get the new bar in.

Hope this helps!

 

[2kgtx]

So how does it feel can you tell a difference with the new bar?

 

[ChinchillaX]

great writeup Joe!:thumbsup:

 

[joerockt]

So how does it feel can you tell a difference with the new bar?

Havent had a chance yet to really throw it in the corners. But just from the test run last night, the back end feels a LOT tighter. Turning and swerving are more responsive.

 

[TSXmike]

this should be stickied somewhere...

great write up... just the rear bar... not the front?

 

[Vegito]

I just did mine also over the weekend.. progressive bar instead of comptech.. feel the same way.. took a little time to put the bar in and it feels great

 

[jamesveale]

Comptech Swaybar question

Guys, I have an 05' TSX and bought the rear sway bar for the car. Not being very mechanically inclined, I went to my local dealership to have this installed. The tech guys were very concerned about a rear replacement without a front. Said the bar being so stiff, solid and large could cause a lot of oversteer without a front replacement. I called Comptech and they said this was not the case and I did not needa different front bar other than stock. Can you comment as to your experience? Thanks!

 

[02-Type-S]

I contacted Comptech and they informed me that the bar was designed to give a neutral balance. Having had the bar on for about a month I'd tend to agree and thus have no plans to replace anything at the front end. If I do anything at all I will get the A-Spec suspension which I'm sure will negate the need further.

Anyways the addition of the bar has been an excellent choice for me as it has transformed the balance of the car. Steering input is reduced as the rear now plays ball and works with the front end so much more. Most noticeable for me are long sweeping bends which simply flow as the car feels so much more composed. Throw in some chicane style bends and the car feels more nimble and responsive to sharp changes in direction.

Being a bit wet here in the UK I was worrying if oversteer might be a problem so had a play round a few roundabouts on a quiet afternoon with no traffic. Have to say that I was unable to lose the back end even with lift off and some agressive use of the steering wheel. I tried this a few times with no adverse effects so was pretty pleased.

The only thing that does concern me slightly though is that the end links seem a bit too feeble now to deal with the slightly higher forces. I need to look into this but the stock bar under torsion would probably flex whereas the Comptech bar will offer greater stiffness and hence resistance to twist. Not sure how much of a difference it makes but can imagine that there is a lot more tension in the end links. Just a thought.

With regard to the fitting I found the allen key a right pain and nearly shredded my hands so ended up using a hex bit on the end of my ratchet. Gives a bit more leverage too.

Darren

 

[LI_NY_1]

I'm glad to be reading all this. A-spec susp and Comptech rear sway are being delivered tomorrow. Hopefully installed by this weekend (or maybe early next week). Can't wait.

 

[joerockt]

02-Type-S: Couldnt have said it better myself!

I know what you mean about the end links. I dont think its going to be a problem though cause a guy on another board has had his Comptech in for about a year now and does Auto Crossing. No problems for him...Might need a retorque everyso often.

 

[02-Type-S]

02-Type-S: Couldnt have said it better myself!

I know what you mean about the end links. I dont think its going to be a problem though cause a guy on another board has had his Comptech in for about a year now and does Auto Crossing. No problems for him...Might need a retorque everyso often.

You're probably right. Being a mech eng I get paranoid about stuff and modding cars is one of them :nervous:

 

[MemphisRheins]

Great thanks for the Write up, will prob be purchasing my own soon, and im sure ill be using this thread to help w/ the Install

 

[spyguy]

excellent write up! can't wait to do mine!

 

[lcrazyaznl]

I installed the neuspeed 19mm rear sway it wasn't too bad, only problem I ran into was I removed the rubber mounts holding the exhaust and got that trick bolt off.

Then removing and adding in the sway was easy =)

reason i did not go comptech was I have the neuspeed front strut heh

 

[narci]

Ok..reviving an old thread hahaha

One question..do you HAVE to jack the car up to do the install? Do you have to remove the wheels?

 

[MemphisRheins]

No need to Remove the Wheels, I personally backed the car up on some ramps just to help get some more room to work, but no you don't have to jack up the car

 

[narci]

No need to Remove the Wheels, I personally backed the car up on some ramps just to help get some more room to work, but no you don't have to jack up the car

Thanks MR

 

[MemphisRheins]

Thanks MR

I'd Highly recommend getting the ramps though, there like 20$ at K-Mart... really useful, I use them every-time I change the Oil as well.

 

[narci]

I'd Highly recommend getting the ramps though, there like 20$ at K-Mart... really useful, I use them every-time I change the Oil as well.

I would but I would have no use with them after I put on the RSB. I get oil changes at Acura (mainly because I want no hassle on my 7 year warranty).

But then again..when i was putting my rear lip on, it was kind of tight back there....i'll check out how much ramps are here.


Thanks again MR.

 

[joerockt]

Ok..reviving an old thread hahaha

One question..do you HAVE to jack the car up to do the install? Do you have to remove the wheels?

You only need to remove one wheel. But if you dont want to save yourself some frustration, then dont remove the wheel...Good luck with that...