Performance sway bar upgrades?

[woods1]

Hey all— I’m going to replace my front sway bar links soon, and am considering upgrading to a performance sway bar while I’m at it.
Should I have any concerns w/ doing that to otherwise stock (non-air/non-adjustable) suspension?
I assume the only drawback would be faster wear-&-tear on the bar and link bushings, but want to make sure I’m not overlooking something more serious?

2010 A6 3.0T Premier



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[Kevin1]

I have been very happy with the front and rear Eurocode sway bars in my C7. I was also very happy with the H&R rear sway bar in my old C6. In the C6 it is the rear sway bar, not the front, that needs to be changed to improve the handling.

[woods1]

Thanks Kevin1! I didn’t realize that—maybe I’ll start with the rear bar then and see how it goes.

Regarding the front links, I’m seeing aftermarket (non-performance, ex: Delphi) links for a fraction of the OEM’s price... I find it hard to believe there could be a quality diff as big as the price gap. Am I mistaken?


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[stlthx]

The 2011 C6 we bought came with H&R 32mm adjustable front and 25mm adjustable rear sway bar kit. This thing corners flat no matter how fast we are going.

As for wear, one of the end-links (which are stock) fell off right after we bought it. But I dont know how long ago they were replaced or if they ever were (had 60k miles when it came off). It was less than $30 to get one at the local auto store. But I ended up getting large fender washers and putting them on the outside of the end-links to keep them on when the bushings fail.

[woods1]

Follow-up: I installed the H&R 25mm adjustable bar in the rear (it was a b!tch to do on jack stands height—had to drop rear exhaust hangers to finish). I didn’t buy new frame brackets or links, so decided to play it safe and bolt links to the softer of the two stiffness settings, bc the bracket and bolts were fairly rusty (I’d replace them if I could do it over). I def notice a difference, but now I really want to upgrade the front bar and switch the rear to its stiffer setting (and replace brackets, bolts, and fresh links).

[woods1]

Regarding replacing/upgrading rear links, does anybody know the diff between the factory air suspension links and factory standard suspension? Are they different measurement specs, or maybe diff rubber stiffness composition?
...or, any recs on aftermarket links that can handle load from the aftermarket bar?

[ewmin3m]

Bringing this back to life; Is H&R the only folks that do adjustable bars in the rear for the c6 ?

Also, is it ok just doing the rear sway bars or it's best to both front and rear?

What about supporting hardware? anything else that would need to be changed at the same time near the sway bars ?

[G-Can]

Ill join in on this one as would be interested doing mine.
I have additional question, which part of rear suspnesion is most noticable in driving after replacing, other then shocks and springs which I have done allready, but I feel my back end is soft and squats a bit over dips, as if everything "streches" under weight.
all rubber is old and did lots of miles, but which one makes the most difference.

I know on front end, lower inner contro arm bushings are drastic change in ride firmness when replaced.

[ewmin3m]

I see H&R has the kit; but doesn't mention if it fits the 3.0Supercharged... https://www.ecstuning.com/b-h-and-r-...-kit/72200~hr/

@G-can - other than shocks and springs, probably sway bar. since it reduces side to side roll. Shocks and springs are the ones that deal with harshness/softness. If it squats more over dips maybe the shocks are too soft ?

[arjun90]

ECS states that it fits the 3.0T as well. I'm curious as well. For some reason, the C6 platform has more rollover than the C5 I had before. Pretty sure its due to weight and chunkier design elements on the C6

[G-Can]

I see H&R has the kit; but doesn't mention if it fits the 3.0Supercharged... https://www.ecstuning.com/b-h-and-r-...-kit/72200~hr/

@G-can - other than shocks and springs, probably sway bar. since it reduces side to side roll. Shocks and springs are the ones that deal with harshness/softness. If it squats more over dips maybe the shocks are too soft ?

I dunno, they are new Bilstein BI+ and Eibach prokit springs. The front is great, but the back feels soft at load. I am thinking it is most likely because all rubber in the back is shot but can't really find what can be replaced in the back.

[arjun90]

You can replace rear subframe bushings; the rear differential is supported by 3 bushings as well.

I’m planning to do the H&R sway bars at some point in the near future

[ewmin3m]

Is it worth buying the front AND rear sway bars? or just the rear ?

[arjun90]

I'm planning to purchase both front and rear especially since the engine is more up front (in front of the axles) on these cars making it nose heavy; and a beefier rear sway bar to minimize on rollover during turns

Is it worth buying the front AND rear sway bars? or just the rear ?

[arjun90]

Is it worth buying the front AND rear sway bars? or just the rear ?

I asked in the B8 section as well, general consensus is that the rears would you give you best result

[ewmin3m]

Ahh cool; thanks for the info; i'll keep that in mind. full kit from H&R is around 500USD :|

[arjun90]

Ahh cool; thanks for the info; i'll keep that in mind. full kit from H&R is around 500USD :|

What I recommend, do the rear sway bar first. See how you like the setup, if it feels right don’t upgrade the front sway bar.

The only reason why I find the need to also do the front sway bar is that the A6 does not have a strut brace like the B8 Q5 has. Both are completely different chassis

[ewmin3m]

I forgot to ask as well; would it be best to upgrade suspension first and then do sway bars ?

I'm thinking; what if the car gets too stiff after if i need to upgrade my suspension but already have upgraded sway bars.

[arjun90]

Well, you would know the difference when you start cornering. If your suspension is worn, I would do the suspension first; that is what I'm doing. Currently the sway bars are extremely limited in stock and it will be a waiting game as I confirm with various suppliers. I would focus on the suspension then go from there. I would take it piece by piece. After suspension upgrade / repair, buy the rear sway bar upgrade. If you still need more stiffness, then buy the front sway bay. Too stiff is not good either but for some reason I feel like the A6 will benefit with both bars due to lack of strut brace.

I forgot to ask as well; would it be best to upgrade suspension first and then do sway bars ?

I'm thinking; what if the car gets too stiff after if i need to upgrade my suspension but already have upgraded sway bars.

[ewmin3m]

Well, you would know the difference when you start cornering. If your suspension is worn, I would do the suspension first; that is what I'm doing. Currently the sway bars are extremely limited in stock and it will be a waiting game as I confirm with various suppliers. I would focus on the suspension then go from there. I would take it piece by piece. After suspension upgrade / repair, buy the rear sway bar upgrade. If you still need more stiffness, then buy the front sway bay. Too stiff is not good either but for some reason I feel like the A6 will benefit with both bars due to lack of strut brace.

Sweet; thanks a bunch for the info. Good suggestion :D

[arjun90]

Sweet; thanks a bunch for the info. Good suggestion :D

And if you ever opt for the both front and rear, I would
make the rear stiff and the front sway bar soft; both Sway bars are adjustable

[bengone1]

I did the H&R rear bar set to stiff and it is all you need. I did have to grind a bit off the ends to keep them from rubbing the rear driveshafts.

Car had ST Coilovers and now on H&R springs and Bilstein shocks

[arjun90]

I have the rears en route to me, I should be able to use the stock rear sway bar links right even at the stiffest setting, right?

I did the H&R rear bar set to stiff and it is all you need. I did have to grind a bit off the ends to keep them from rubbing the rear driveshafts.

Car had ST Coilovers and now on H&R springs and Bilstein shocks

[bengone1]

I have the rears en route to me, I should be able to use the stock rear sway bar links right even at the stiffest setting, right?

yes, I used stock end links. I saw a little rubbing on the drive shafts so I went after it with a Dremel

[arjun90]

Thanks, I'll definitely keep that in mind when installing mine

yes, I used stock end links. I saw a little rubbing on the drive shafts so I went after it with a Dremel

[arjun90]

Its too bad there are no all metal rear sway bar links available for this vehicle

[-=zipp=-]

actually C6 can have a stock strut brace, kind of. It is hidden below the black plastic piece between an engine and windscreen.
Not all cars have it, I guess only sline models?

[arjun90]

The S line models are only for appearance purposes in these C6.5 Avants

[-=zipp=-]

is this so in US? It is definitely not the case in EU, SLine can have a different suspension, bigger brakes, that strut bar...
By C6.5 do you mean C6 facelift? Anyway, it doesn't change anything, the above still applies

[arjun90]

That's correct, just the facelift. Would have been great to see the C7 wagons in the US, haha

is this so in US? It is definitely not the case in EU, SLine can have a different suspension, bigger brakes, that strut bar...
By C6.5 do you mean C6 facelift? Anyway, it doesn't change anything, the above still applies

[MTL4]

That's correct, just the facelift. Would have been great to see the C7 wagons in the US, haha

You're not just kidding, I'd have a C7 S6 Avant or RS6 long ago if they were available over here.

[arjun90]

I have a RSB on the way directly from H&R and FSB from Tire Rack. H&R rep stated that they have plenty of both in stock within the USA. Thus, no worries
Best Prices are on ECS Tuning and Tire Rack for the RSB and FSB, respectively. Shipping is Free

Stillen Performance has the RSB for $213.43 with free shipping as well if you want to save just a few more bucks. Other than that, I always go with the more reputable resellers. Can't go wrong with ECS and Tire Rack (acquired by Discount Tire)

There have been numerous concerns over ECS. I was concerned at first since the RSB was being direct-shipped from H&R. Didn't get a tracking number for couple of days nor updates from ECS. I got the UPS tracking number from H&R and have yet to hear back with an update (tracking information) from ECS; seems like ECS manually pushes the shipment updates for these special orders. Other than that, I still would not hesitate using ECS again especially for their hard to find elsewhere In-Stock Ready-to-Ship items.

[ewmin3m]

I'm in canada so whatever. no free shipping; will do suspension upgrade first before sway bars

[arjun90]

I frankly should have replaced the the UCA’s and shocks on my A6 before doing this sway bar upgrade but I am still working on my Q5 which is going to take a little while longer

[Gangbango]

I already hate this forum! Now I have to buy this H&R kit and let my wife kill me.

[arjun90]

Sshhh, you don't have to tell her....just do it already

I already hate this forum! Now I have to buy this H&R kit and let my wife kill me.

[G-Can]

I already hate this forum! Now I have to buy this H&R kit and let my wife kill me.

she tells you about all her purchases :D

[arjun90]

I installed the front H&R sway bar last week and shortly after (100 or so miles) I started experiencing clunking and creaking. All the bolts were torqued as per spec and included hardware was used. I set the bar to the softest setting. I also installed new TRW Sway Bar Links with new hardware. I am waiting for another set of sway bar links to see if that remedies the situation. The included polyurethane bushings do not require any grease as they are already Teflon coated. Due to crappy weather, I have to install the rear sway bar

[arjun90]

I've been going back and forth with H&R for the past several weeks ever since installing these front and rear sway bars.

The H&R front sway bars creak. Never had this issue with the stock sway bar. It seems like they exposed a worn out suspension in the front (upper and lower control arms). At some point I will have to redo my front control arms. Even though H&R states there is no need to lubricate the bushings, that is complete nonsense. Lubricate your bushings with multipurpose grease especially where it rests against the metal bracket.

The rear sway bars however, are not designed correctly. If you put them at the stiffest setting, the edge of the outermost part of the sway bar comes within a few millimeters from the rear axles. While the suspension is loaded and when I drive over uneven road surfaces (virtually everywhere) and sharp bends, the rear sway bar touches the rear axles! . I noted paint transfer from the rear sway bars onto my rear axles. My rear axles are still intact, however, if I continue driving this way, the results will be disastrous.

I spoke to H&R and their only solution is to put the rear bar at the softest setting.

There are no adjustable end links available for the C6 chassis.

The warranty is bullshit. Throw the included hardware in the trash. If your bushings ever fail, you will need to purchase replacements separately i.e. via ECS Tuning, or any other authorized H&R distributor

I should also add that I replaced all the end links with Brand New OE counterparts.

[G-Can]

I've read about them rubbing in the back years ago. So they never updated the design. Nice.
Apparently you need to grind down the edges on brand new bars. :facepalm: