MK5 Golf GTI

All Things Mk5 => Mk5 General Area => Topic started by: GTI-Ross on June 30, 2013, 11:17:50 pm

Title: Help choosing rear sway bar - **Even more info Needed**
Post by: GTI-Ross on June 30, 2013, 11:17:50 pm
Hey guys,

Ive spent a few hours reading about sway bars, all different types of combination. Just Rear, Front and Rear, different sizes etc....

So many options. Im in a MK6 as a daily driver - Would i just be best going for a 22 or 25 rear sway, will that be fine. If so what make is decent for them, Neuspeed, H&R?

Ps: Im on standard springs ans shocks at the moment

Any advice would be welcome
Title: Re: Help choosing rear sway bar
Post by: rich83 on June 30, 2013, 11:30:23 pm
Rear bar make so much difference!  :happy2:
Title: Re: Help choosing rear sway bar
Post by: Andy on June 30, 2013, 11:49:22 pm
keep on thinking of changing mine but I need to drive it more :signLOL:
Title: Re: Help choosing rear sway bar
Post by: GTI-Ross on July 01, 2013, 12:01:18 am
Rear bar make so much difference!  :happy2:

Yeah but which size and brand would you recommend?
Title: Re: Help choosing rear sway bar
Post by: Andy on July 01, 2013, 12:08:11 am
h&r are what most member go for and I was told 24mm to go for
Title: Re: Help choosing rear sway bar
Post by: GTI-Ross on July 01, 2013, 12:36:55 pm
h&r are what most member go for and I was told 24mm to go for

Is the standard bar 23mm  will an extra 1mm be that much stiffer?
Title: Re: Help choosing rear sway bar
Post by: Beddie on July 01, 2013, 01:14:35 pm
h&r are what most member go for and I was told 24mm to go for

Is the standard bar 23mm  will an extra 1mm be that much stiffer?

I had the H&R 24(f) 22(r) bars on my ed30 and will be transferring them onto my mk6, great mod imo and I went for the small H&R bar set as found the big bars on my A3 were a little too much for ride comfort on the poor roads round me, pretty sure the oem rear bar is hollow so even a 22mm solid bar makes quite a difference  :happy2:
Title: Re: Help choosing rear sway bar
Post by: GTI-Ross on July 01, 2013, 06:08:47 pm
Cant find a place just to buy rear sway bar. Awesome sell the front and rear kit, but im not really doing any tracks days dont think i need the front
Title: Re: Help choosing rear sway bar
Post by: dokez on July 01, 2013, 06:13:49 pm
jbs, gnj motorsport (whiteline, neuspeed)
Title: Re: Help choosing rear sway bar
Post by: GTI-Ross on July 01, 2013, 10:48:16 pm
h&r are what most member go for and I was told 24mm to go for

Is the standard bar 23mm  will an extra 1mm be that much stiffer?

I had the H&R 24(f) 22(r) bars on my ed30 and will be transferring them onto my mk6, great mod imo and I went for the small H&R bar set as found the big bars on my A3 were a little too much for ride comfort on the poor roads round me, pretty sure the oem rear bar is hollow so even a 22mm solid bar makes quite a difference  :happy2:

Do you have an idea what the labour cost are for the sway bars, i know the rear is easy, but dont you have to drop the sub frame for the front? No idea what they will charge for that
Title: Re: Help choosing rear sway bar
Post by: Beddie on July 01, 2013, 11:04:42 pm


Do you have an idea what the labour cost are for the sway bars, i know the rear is easy, but dont you have to drop the sub frame for the front? No idea what they will charge for that

I paid 2 hours labour for front and rear fitted last time round, £70ish but that was 4 years ago  :smiley:
Title: Re: Help choosing rear sway bar
Post by: GTI-Ross on July 01, 2013, 11:09:44 pm


Do you have an idea what the labour cost are for the sway bars, i know the rear is easy, but dont you have to drop the sub frame for the front? No idea what they will charge for that

I paid 2 hours labour for front and rear fitted last time round, £70ish but that was 4 years ago  :smiley:

where you get it done?  Does anyone know Statllers or Awesomes hourly rate?
Title: Re: Help choosing rear sway bar
Post by: Beddie on July 01, 2013, 11:33:46 pm


Do you have an idea what the labour cost are for the sway bars, i know the rear is easy, but dont you have to drop the sub frame for the front? No idea what they will charge for that

I paid 2 hours labour for front and rear fitted last time round, £70ish but that was 4 years ago  :smiley:

where you get it done?  Does anyone know Statllers or Awesomes hourly rate?

Had it done at PSI Tuning in Stoke  :happy2:
Title: Re: Help choosing rear sway bar
Post by: AndrewJB on July 02, 2013, 01:43:06 am
H&R set up, fitted by the excellent Alex @ AKS Tuning
Title: Re: Help choosing rear sway bar
Post by: GTI-Ross on July 02, 2013, 08:42:14 am
H&R set up, fitted by the excellent Alex @ AKS Tuning
24f / 22r or did you have 26f / 22r.......Front on soft rear on firmest? How did the labour cost.
Title: Re: Help choosing rear sway bar
Post by: Beddie on July 02, 2013, 08:53:55 am
H&R set up, fitted by the excellent Alex @ AKS Tuning
24f / 22r or did you have 26f / 22r.......Front on soft rear on firmest? How did the labour cost.

The H&R only come as matched pairs in either 26f/22r or 28f/24r  :happy2:

Ive had both sets on mk5 platform cars and prefer the less extreme smaller set as I found the larger set compromised ride quality too much for my personal taste, I always run them soft front and hard rear as I like the car a little tail driven when on track etc  :smiley:
Title: Re: Help choosing rear sway bar
Post by: GTI-Ross on July 02, 2013, 01:54:07 pm
Do you also have to get Geometry done after having the front bar fitted? Is that something like £75  :confused:
Title: Re: Help choosing rear sway bar
Post by: tony_danza on July 02, 2013, 01:56:27 pm
Probably, as they have to drop the subframe.

I'd just do the rear, easy self-fit, no geo and good results. Your geo is probably well worth changing though anyway, as it'll be very 'safe' at the moment.
Title: Re: Help choosing rear sway bar
Post by: RENNTAG on July 02, 2013, 02:00:08 pm
I have got just the rear 28mm sway bar. Has made a massive improvement in handling. And does not seem too loose at the rear.
Title: Re: Help choosing rear sway bar
Post by: rich83 on July 02, 2013, 02:09:02 pm
Do you also have to get Geometry done after having the front bar fitted? Is that something like £75  :confused:

Yes... youll need to get the geo. sorted out when doing the front bar.

Ive been running an autoech rear bar for about 2 years and its a great mod. Made even better when lowered too.  :happy2:
Title: Re: Help choosing rear sway bar
Post by: GTI-Ross on July 02, 2013, 02:32:10 pm
Thanks for all this input, its really helping me as dont know too much about sway bar set up.

Still left with a few options. The front and rear H&R sway seems good value at £350. But then another £200 for fitting and Geo (£550 in total)


Where as just rear bar is around £200. Let pretend money wasnt an object (which it is for me, pretty skint) would you save and get front and rear or just keep it cheap and just get rear and do it myself?

If so, which is the best rear for the money - looking for good value.

Also, what do you mean my Geo will be SAFE?...you mean like camber and toe in?

Thanks guys
Title: Re: Help choosing rear sway bar - **Even more info Needed**
Post by: tony_danza on July 02, 2013, 07:15:42 pm
Just do the rear and see how you get on.

Geo = safe, rear will have a lot of camber and toe in. Dial some of that out, along with front toe. Any decent specialist, wheels-in-motion etc place will be able to help.
Title: Re: Help choosing rear sway bar - **Even more info Needed**
Post by: dokez on July 02, 2013, 07:20:08 pm
Do rears and give it ago yourself. Its only nuts and bolts to remove. saves you money and it be achieving
Title: Re: Help choosing rear sway bar - **Even more info Needed**
Post by: rich83 on July 02, 2013, 07:36:28 pm
Rear is easy to fit.... 4 bolts for the clamps and 2 nuts on either end.... easy!
Title: Re: Help choosing rear sway bar - **Even more info Needed**
Post by: GTI-Ross on July 02, 2013, 08:18:51 pm
Just do the rear and see how you get on.

Geo = safe, rear will have a lot of camber and toe in. Dial some of that out, along with front toe. Any decent specialist, wheels-in-motion etc place will be able to help.

Im not really sure when it comes to wheels set up, does anyone have a good link in regards to what i should be looking for in wheel position.

If i went to a wheel shop i wouldnt really know what to ask for. I just mainly do fast road driving and maybe an odd track day in the future.

Can anyone recommend or send me info....Thanks


Also what brand it best for rear ARB?
Title: Re: Help choosing rear sway bar - **Even more info Needed**
Post by: neil86 on July 02, 2013, 09:06:06 pm
I have the whiteline adjustable on the rear its very good even on medium setting, the downside is that its very heavy. If you have extra money available I would go the hollow auto tech I think it is that garage midnight sell.

Also I would fit front and rear I wish I got the set as just the rear made a big difference. When I get some spare cash getting a front one.