Stillen sway bar broke :(

[alphapig]

Check this out:



It's been on my car for quite a while... Close to 5 years now.

Time to get a new one!

Stillen again, or Racingline?

[Buyingcoilovers]

why do you think it broke?
do you take it to track?

[6SpeedinCoupe]

5 years is a long time. I think the money was well spent. I'd say give Racingline a shot since it is adjustable and something new to experience. I'm not sure if the same end links will work with the RSB, I kind of doubt it.

[alphapig]

why do you think it broke?
do you take it to track?

Just aggressive driving on crappy CA mountain roads. Same way I busted by CV boot last year.

The Altima chassis is just not cut out for such abuse. That's why I bought my NA Miata

5 years is a long time. I think the money was well spent.

I agree - I'm not upset at Stillen at all. Still using Stillen drilled rotors and metal matrix pads, as well as Stillen strut bar.

I'd say give Racingline a shot since it is adjustable and something new to experience. I'm not sure if the same end links will work with the RSB, I kind of doubt it.

I'm pretty sure stock end links work with the Racingline RSB. Can anyone chime in?

[el_blacky06]

If you're not aware, Stillen had a design flaw that causes the sway bars to not properly function correctly. Too many bars including my own Sway bar causes to snap in the same way yours did. Check it out on their website to get more into on that

[6SpeedinCoupe]

If you're not aware, Stillen had a design flaw that causes the sway bars to not properly function correctly. Too many bars including my own Sway bar causes to snap in the same way yours did. Check it out on their website to get more into on that

In the past, at the time of the OP's purchase, they did have that problem. But I stumbled upon this http://www.nissanclub.com/forums/2007-2 ... y-bar.html

[alphapig]

If you're not aware, Stillen had a design flaw that causes the sway bars to not properly function correctly. Too many bars including my own Sway bar causes to snap in the same way yours did. Check it out on their website to get more into on that

Thanks, I had no idea!

Looks like I need to fork over $200+ for the new Stillen setup then

[Racingline]

The Racingline bar is still stronger and cheaper......... ( shameless plug)

[JerseyBoy201]

Sorry to hear an see that my opion Raceline all day ! Im eventually getting the RSB n endlinks

[el_blacky06]

Even if Stillen claims that the stock nissan design dosent function properly, Racingline is stronger. I'm proof of that, haven't broken it yet with hard turns lol

[seldomseen]

The Altima Coupe surprisingly handles like crap. How are the aftermarket sway bars improving the handling characteristics of the coupe specifically?

[alphapig]

The Altima Coupe surprisingly handles like crap. How are the aftermarket sway bars improving the handling characteristics of the coupe specifically?

The Altima coupe handles just as a 3,200 FWD should, with 62/38 weight distribution for the v6. There is no surprise here.

Essentially, it plows head first into corners.

However, I can hit my mountain pass just as fast in the AC as in my modified Miata, mostly because of the plowing. Understeer is much more noob-friendly compared to over-steer. Having said that, the Miata is over 9000 times more fun and, if properly pushed, is faster in the mountains.

Thicker rear sway bar slightly reduces understeer. HIGHLY recommended for making the "crappy" handling Altima handle better.

[seldomseen]

The Altima Coupe surprisingly handles like crap. How are the aftermarket sway bars improving the handling characteristics of the coupe specifically?

The Altima coupe handles just as a 3,200 FWD should, with 62/38 weight distribution for the v6. There is no surprise here.

Essentially, it plows head first into corners.

However, I can hit my mountain pass just as fast in the AC as in my modified Miata, mostly because of the plowing. Understeer is much more noob-friendly compared to over-steer. Having said that, the Miata is over 9000 times more fun and, if properly pushed, is faster in the mountains.

Thicker rear sway bar slightly reduces understeer. HIGHLY recommended for making the "crappy" handling Altima handle better.

Nah there's more to it than being a 3200lb FWD car...the OEM tuned suspension set-up isn't quite were it should be on the coupe. The '12 Accord coupe V6 is 3500lbs and handles more nimble than the Altima Coupe V6. Nonetheless, the swaybar option seems like a worthwhile option to improve matters a bit.

[alphapig]

I completely agree with you that the stock suspension is crap. Very mushy and very high in the air. Great for LA street driving.

That said, I've had coil overs forever (weird modified frankenstien setup in my case). With a strut bar, sway bar, and coil overs you are more likely to get rear wheel hop before it under-steers like a pig. The real problem with heavily modifying the suspension is that sh*t breaks. I would compare the handling characteristics at the Acura RSX, which was a great little car, but the RSX can take actual abuse where the Altima falters.

As for the Accord... The Accord v6 does have a better weight distribution - 59.6/40.4. But, in addition to weighing more, it's actually just as long as the Accord sedan, which is absolutely inexcusable.

[6SpeedinCoupe]

That said, I've had coil overs forever (weird modified frankenstien setup in my case). With a strut bar, sway bar, and coil overs you are more likely to get rear wheel hop before it under-steers like a pig. The real problem with heavily modifying the suspension is that sh*t breaks. I would compare the handling characteristics at the Acura RSX, which was a great little car, but the RSX can take actual abuse where the Altima falters.

Hey alphapig, any specifics as to what the typical weak links are within the suspension components, when you have all of those parts installed on the altima? My BC's just came in and the RSB/tower strut bar are next on my list. I just want to be prepared for the worst and make sure I have cushion in my wallet ya know.

[KMiller]

I wasn't sure about starting a new topic, but mainly thanks to your guys advice, I'm very satisfied in almost every way so far with the choices I made on my Stillen STB, Injen short ram, & RL traction rods; now I'm ready for an RSB. I do mostly hiway & country road driving in SE PA. After owning for a year & a half , the 2.5 meets my needs, but if I had to do it over, I would've looked around harder for a v6. I'm still getting used to the CVT. Now, the Stillen was recently redesigned, but the RL is adjustable. The Stillen is a little cheaper including the endlinks, but you can upgrade the RL links to SS(which I definitely would for this climate). The Stillen is red, the RL is black. lol. I keep going back & forth & can't make up my mind! I'd appreciate any new input re: your experience &/or recommendations before I pull the trigger. Thanks, gotta go da eagles games comin on.

[seldomseen]

What's the typical cost of having the OEM sway bar swapped out and replaced?

[SanoSuKe]

What's the typical cost of having the OEM sway bar swapped out and replaced?

You mean labor or actual parts?

[seldomseen]

I was asking about labor cost. From what I can tell the install should take about 45 minutes tops??

[BigBuffalo]

The labor should definitely be under an hour but you should honestly be able to do it yourself or get a buddy.
Only like 6 bolts. Super easy.