Got my new rear bar installed this weekend. It was really difficult to attach the end mounts to the trailing arms. Addco should pre-bend the u-bolt to match the outside contour of the arms, or at least make the u-bolts a half-inch longer. On the other hand, the center section u-bolts are at least a half-inch too long and hang too far down. And the instructions are a joke!

Anyway, I did notice a difference in roll resistance, but it was not as dramatic as on other cars where I've installed rear bars. After crawling back under the car, I really don't see how the bar works at all. The rear axle and the two trailing arms are welded together in a "C" shape. When you jack up one side of the car, the entire "C" seems to rotate as a unit on the control arm bushings. I guess all the bar does is supply extra rigidity to the "C". Unlike most bars, it does not anchor the ends to the frame (or uni-body). So, can anyone tell me how in the heck it works at all?

 

My Addco RSB fit on perfectly. No extra work needed except for sliding on the bushings.

There are better instructions on the "Shop Talk" section found on the main page: https://maxima.org

again ... I noticed a HUGE difference in roll resistance. Places where I was afraid of going even 45 for fear of flipping over, I can now go at it at 70 mpg without fear. And I'm still on stock suspension!

 

Addco bar makes a huge difference on body roll and handling. As far as install goes, sounds like you used the wrong u-bolts and plates on the install. They were different sizes and if you put it together correctly using the right plats and bolts nothing requires bending it fits like a glove. Also you can adjust it by moving the trailing arm mounting location. Move it twards the front of the training arm (twards the front of the car) at the end of the bar, you get MAXIMUM resistance. Moving it twards the rear of the car give you the least resistance.

 

How far from the bar ends did you clamp the bar to the control arms? And your u-bolts simply slipped right over the control arms? Mine had to be spread apart to slip over the arms. Then I could barely get the nuts started on the u-bolt threads. Once I got them started, I tightened them until the u-bolts bent to conform to the outside of the trailing arms. I then removed the nuts and installed the washers. That's how tight it was! What year is you Max? Maybe Nissan changed the shape of the arm stampings.

 

Strange, mine fit like a glove too.
Granted, you had to move the e-brake line out of the way first.
Love the performance, works grand!

 

The bar is the same for all models 95-2001 (which causes the 5th gen guys some headaches cause it's made more specifically for the 4th gen).

The RSB you received might not be even made for the Maxima. They might have sent you a totally wrong RSB!

There are some decent pictures of what the RSB install should look like here: https://maxima.org/shoptalk/sub_modi...sb/index.shtml

 

I have installed both the stealin and the addco bars. They are both nice units, and I have had no fitment probs w/ either. Stillens may look a little better due to the hardware, but that doesn't justify the $ difference to me. I have an addco for myself, but can't put it on until I resolve some axle issues. DAMN
I think the RSB (which I thought was Rear Stabalizer Bar) works by linking the trailing arms from a location that is closer to thier pivot/mounting points. This is hard to explain, but I'll try - and I may be wrong. The axle is connected to both trailing arms. So a movement of one wheel will try to lift the other one up, now with the rsb installed it takes less movement of one wheel to affect the other becuse the rsb almost acts like another axle, that is mounted further up the trailing arms, in effect making the arms 'shorter'. This shorter distance makes the anti rolling property more efficent. I THINK

 

Dang, that strut bar raised your max up to 70mpg? For the $120 bucks I would say that it will save you that in fuel in the first month alone. Well worth the investment. LOL

SuDZ

 

The instructions say to attach the clamp one inch from the end of the bar. Some have said that if you move the trailing arm clamps as close to the axle as possible, you will get greater roll resistance.

I had not problems with my Addco install. 95SE. It definitely makes a difference. Even loops off the highway at slow speeds (35mph) used to make the body roll bad--not no more.