Stillen RSB
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Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 15
Based on recommendations from members of this list I have ordered the Stillen rear sway bar for my 2001 SE. I appreciate the input from you folks. However, because I am a stubborn Mary...explain to me again why this hasn't made the car dangerously loose by only changing the chassis dynamics in the rear? I mean some of you guys say you 'charge' into corners now..and thats without any drama or 'tail walking the dog' antics? Much obliged.
The car as it is stock comes with a lot of understeer built in already. The addition of the RSB will reduce a lot of this understeer and make for more neutral handling. It will not increase oversteer to the point where it is unsafe or anything.
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Posts: n/a
Better let Cheston explain
This is a quote from MaximaDriver.com
Cheston is really knowledgeable about the engineering dynamics involved so i won't try to better his explanation.
What you will notice is how tight things get once you put the FSTB and RSB on your Max. A friend of mine has a stock SE and claims I must have done more to the handling than just this combo.
"The best control bar you can install to a FWD car is a rear sway bar. It is installed on the underside of the car (where the rear beam axel is) to keep the rear tight and in-line. By having the rear sway bar installed, it makes the rear of the car act as one. When carving in extreme conditions (evading police or on the race track) the rear sway bar will control the understeer of the car, which is characteristics of a FWD. (Oversteer is characteristic of RWD) During the hard carves, it is not uncommon for the car to pop up on one wheel and/or have the rear of the car pop out entirely and then have both tires contact the road again. The RSB acts like a spring, and since both sides of the rear are "attached" like one, that's why you might get wheel lift. Also, by moving the sway up UP or DOWN on the rear beam, you can control the understeer. The further up the beam, the smaller the turn radius and the swifter the turns, further back on the beam, the lesser the effect. I recommend having the RSB directly underneath the rearbeam for an overall good handling effect.
The Maxima does have a stock front sway bar. If you feel that the turning of the car is not "responsive" enough, you might want to think about replacing the rubber bushings that hold the sway bar in place. Suspension Technique offeres a complete poly-urethane contol-arm bushing kit for the Max for around $140, but all you really need is the control arm bushings, which you can order separately for $35.00
Several companies offer control bars. Stillen offers front & rear STBs along with an adjustable Rear Sway bar. Courtesy-Nissan in TX, also manufacters their own front and rear STBs. They're cheap and effective, so many people tend to go the Courtesy route. Street Beat offers "econo" front strut bars, which can be found online. Addco makes a non-adjustable rear sway bar that you can get locally at Pep-Boys or through Cattman Performance.
If you have ALL the above in your car, you'll see a significant increase in handling performance. And you'll be able to carve those windy roads with ease! Just like in those commercials. Don't be shocked if you can start handling as well as if not better than some of your Integra counterparts."
Cheston is really knowledgeable about the engineering dynamics involved so i won't try to better his explanation.
What you will notice is how tight things get once you put the FSTB and RSB on your Max. A friend of mine has a stock SE and claims I must have done more to the handling than just this combo.
"The best control bar you can install to a FWD car is a rear sway bar. It is installed on the underside of the car (where the rear beam axel is) to keep the rear tight and in-line. By having the rear sway bar installed, it makes the rear of the car act as one. When carving in extreme conditions (evading police or on the race track) the rear sway bar will control the understeer of the car, which is characteristics of a FWD. (Oversteer is characteristic of RWD) During the hard carves, it is not uncommon for the car to pop up on one wheel and/or have the rear of the car pop out entirely and then have both tires contact the road again. The RSB acts like a spring, and since both sides of the rear are "attached" like one, that's why you might get wheel lift. Also, by moving the sway up UP or DOWN on the rear beam, you can control the understeer. The further up the beam, the smaller the turn radius and the swifter the turns, further back on the beam, the lesser the effect. I recommend having the RSB directly underneath the rearbeam for an overall good handling effect.
The Maxima does have a stock front sway bar. If you feel that the turning of the car is not "responsive" enough, you might want to think about replacing the rubber bushings that hold the sway bar in place. Suspension Technique offeres a complete poly-urethane contol-arm bushing kit for the Max for around $140, but all you really need is the control arm bushings, which you can order separately for $35.00
Several companies offer control bars. Stillen offers front & rear STBs along with an adjustable Rear Sway bar. Courtesy-Nissan in TX, also manufacters their own front and rear STBs. They're cheap and effective, so many people tend to go the Courtesy route. Street Beat offers "econo" front strut bars, which can be found online. Addco makes a non-adjustable rear sway bar that you can get locally at Pep-Boys or through Cattman Performance.
If you have ALL the above in your car, you'll see a significant increase in handling performance. And you'll be able to carve those windy roads with ease! Just like in those commercials. Don't be shocked if you can start handling as well as if not better than some of your Integra counterparts."
Donating Maxima.org Member
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 297
FSTB and RSB
They really work. Thanks to people I met through this board both were installed at the same time. They make the car float less when it's taking a curve. I was very skeptical about any modification to the functional aspects of the car. Also I was concerned about safety and ride quality before this and tried to read as much as possible. The car feels better now, more level around the curves. The car is now more fun to drive. Find a Maxima owner in your area that had it done and go for a spin. It's noticeable right away. I think the RSB is more responsible than the FSTB for the change in handeling. Great bang for the buck.
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