So I took advantage of the deal Cattman has going on in the Group Deal section and got a Progress RSB ($119 shipped, great deal, Brian Catts runs a great business). I installed the bar last night and I have a few questions. The bar was put on a 2002 Maxima. I have google site searched (yeah I need to donate) this to death and have found some conflicting information.

First off, the brackets provided to attach the RSB to the trailing arms couldn't be mounted in the recommended position without removing the parking brake mount on the arms. The instructions provided didn't say to remove this so I didn't. Instead, as per instructions, I took off the ABS wiring bracket on each side. I then first tried mounting the bracket that attaches the RSB to the trailing arm directly in front of the parking brake mount but then the RSB ends were nearly flush w/the bushing, not the recommended 1" from the end. So I moved the brackets directly behind the parking brake mount and then the RSB ends were a little over 2.5 inches past the bushing, but I figured this was the better of my two options. Hopefully this makes enough sense and isn't too confusing.

Second, it seems to me that the way I did it, with the bushings and clamps about 2.5" from the ends of the RSB, would make the sway bar more effective or pronounced. But I have read some places that it is better to have the bar clamped with the bushings as close to the ends of the RSB as possible. Which is correct?

I attached the RSB to the axle with the U-bolts about a finger's width to the inside of the bumps on the 02's axle and I haven't heard a bang or a rattle yet.

Finally, does it make a difference if the RSB was installed on ramps or jack stands. I know it would be easier on jack stands with the tires off but I didn't know if the suspension being under load would make a difference.

As far as comments on the effectiveness of the RSB, I think the bar makes a very noticeable difference on my 02 w/stock suspension. The car feels more planted, with less roll, and when hitting bumps in the road during corning the car feels much less “floaty” and bouncy. So far I am very pleased w/my $119 investment.

 

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I can't remember which brackets I removed, but I know there were 2 of em.

IMO, the closer the brackets are to the curve in the bar (the further away the brackets are from the ends), the more resistant the bar will be to twisting, and so the more effective it will be.

Same.

I doubt it'd make that big of a difference. Mine was done on jack and stands.

IMO it makes a difference on a car with aftermarket springs/struts too.

 

I installed mine on jack stands with the bushings flush with the bar end. I only removed the e-brake cable temporarily to fit the RSB bracket, then just bolted it back on.

 

Thanks guys. I only removed the ABS wiring bracket, one on each side, it was held on by two screws though. I thought about trying to reinstall the ABS brackets after i got the RSB bracket in place on the trailing arm but it doesn't look like where I put mine it would be possible.

On a related note, I got my OTTO FSTB installed yesterday. I had no issues except on the driver's side there was an intake bracket welded to the tower that the OTTO tower ring was hitting the edge of but I just torqued the nuts (about 50lb-ft) down over it and it seems stable. I thought the bar would be adjustable as far as pressure b/t the towers somehow but I don't see how. I just centered the bar and raised it as high as possible and tightened it down. I didn't notice much of a difference though, but I haven't had a chance to really test it out yet, but at least the bar looks nice.

 

Hey can you send me pics of your install? just to have an idea.

 

Which install are you requesting pictures of, the RSB or the FSTB?

 

i'm guessing he's talking about the RSB, the fstb is really straight foward. If someone couldnt figure how to install that, oh man.

 

Check this out, it's on the org homepage under shoptalk. https://maxima.org/modules.php?name=ASB should be helpful

 

Thanks but I want to see his pics. As I was installing my RSB I was thinking of mounting brackets further the e-brake cable (?holder, bracket?). Well I hadn't time to think and did install like in how-to since some A**hole called parking police. Lol officer came to me and said that I can't do this. Isn't it weird?

 

actually, ABS wiring brakets do not have to be removed, here is what i did:

rsb itself:

 

Sigh I thought you placed bracket farther e-brake cable closer to the rear. I did the same thing as you did. I'm OK though.
Thanks for pics.

BTW on first pics bracket located right under brake line I mean where it attaches to the car body. Could it be possibly busted by RSB bracket over huge bump?

P.S. nice place to put sticker on

 

I tried putting the RSB bracket where you did in the beginning but my bushings were like flush w/the ends of the RSB and I didn't think that was right so i moved it behind the parking brake mount, obviously requiring the removal of the ABS wiring bracket b/c of the rear screw being in the way. I still have my doubts as to which way is better but I'm not moving mine anytime soon.

 

Correct me if i'm wrong but this would be a better place to mount bracket. Someone said that the farther brackets are the stiffer RSB will be.

 

Well that is where I ended up putting mine, and most people seem to say that the further back the brackets are the stiffer the RSB will be. And that makes sense to me. However, I don't know if there is a point where the brackets can be too far back on the trailing arms. At the point you marked, the bracket will be about 2.5 inches from the ends of the RSB. My car doesn't seem to handle erratically but I may have went too far, especially considering the fact that I am on stock suspension. I have pushed the car pretty close to its limits though, and have not experienced severe oversteer, or anything else except better handling.