have a 2002 Accord (recently purchased) and I was looking around and trying to figure out if I need sway/anti-roll bars

how drastically do they change how the car handles?

any recommendations as to where I should buy them?
should I install them myself?

10/23/2008 4:01:59 AM

why would you think you need sway bars on an accord.

BTW, i think it already has front/rears bars.

10/23/2008 7:00:00 AM

Save your cash. Learn how to drive

10/23/2008 7:24:38 AM

FACTORY

EQUIPPED

ACCORD

10/23/2008 8:11:23 AM

Quote :

"DONT POLISH TURDS"

10/23/2008 8:24:24 AM

A decently sized rear sway bar will drastically change how the car handles in corners.

10/23/2008 8:28:31 AM

what are you trying to accomplish?

get a huge rear one, and take your front one off... you'll be drifting in no time.

10/23/2008 9:21:01 AM

okay...I probably don't know enough about what they do for you

I don't race, drift, or any of that nonsense.

i just drive the car around hawai'i to and from places

10/23/2008 12:57:58 PM

Rear bar is definitely the hot ticket on FWD cars, which tend to push into the turns as they are. You'll want the car to "dip" into turns easier, hence a light front bar and heavier rear.

My advice is to learn how to drive the damn thing as is. You'll learn much more about the subtle nuances of front wheel drive and power application/braking/leading & trailing throttle through the twisties. Listen to what everybody else (especially The Cricket) says...you have much to learn, grasshopper.

10/23/2008 12:58:44 PM

^ I concur

10/23/2008 1:28:45 PM

its not even learning how to drive.

a 2002 accord is a economy car and its not suppose to be pushed around corners.
the bars are mainly for cornering..
if you're concerned, either get another car or up the suspension.

if you want a better ride. get some very very soft susp. and you'll be floating on cloud nine.

or buy a BMW/Merc

[Edited on October 23, 2008 at 2:13 PM. Reason : ]

10/23/2008 2:12:33 PM

your accord already comes with sway bars.

10/23/2008 3:16:25 PM

Quote :

"I was looking around and trying to figure out if I need sway/anti-roll bars"

thanks for reading my posts, all

Seotaji gave me the most useful info

10/23/2008 5:04:11 PM

it's an accord

it doesn't need ANYTHING.

10/23/2008 5:35:20 PM

Quote :

"I was looking around and trying to figure out if I need sway/anti-roll bars"

thats like me asking whether or not i need a dish washer.

what are you trying to accomplish? what makes you think you need the bars? surely this didnt just pop in your mind at some point.

Quote :

"A decently sized rear sway bar will drastically change how the car handles in corners. "

Quote :

"Rear bar is definitely the hot ticket on FWD cars, which tend to push into the turns as they are. You'll want the car to "dip" into turns easier, hence a light front bar and heavier rear."

Quote :

"the bars are mainly for cornering.. if you're concerned, either get another car or up the suspension. "

and you didnt even bother going to google.

please do not come in here bitching and complaining because you didnt find an answer that every search engine would give you

10/23/2008 6:26:19 PM

Quote :

"surely this didnt just pop in your mind at some point."

it did, actually, but thanks

Quote :

"and you didnt even bother going to google."

i did, actually, but thanks

10/24/2008 4:26:01 AM

ok then why in the world did you come in here asking? did you think we were somehow going to post something different in hopes to make you go out and get more bars?

[Edited on October 24, 2008 at 6:54 AM. Reason : ]

10/24/2008 6:54:04 AM

i put a sway bar set on the civic


but it didnt have a rear bar from factory

10/24/2008 9:11:24 AM

for the price i'd put it on there if you have the expendable cash - just to get rid of the bodyroll for everyday turns like a lot onramps/offramps

i have a bigger car and it's night and day for how much the car used to roll and how much it doesn't now

10/24/2008 9:47:49 AM

i upgraded the rear bar on my 01 civic, it made a huge difference. much more pleasant to drive, quicker steering response. you dont need a highly modded car to appreciate better handling.

10/24/2008 10:39:25 AM

i wouldn't change jack shit on an accord. if your priorities and tastes are such that it would make any difference to you, you're driving the wrong car to begin with.

10/24/2008 12:13:54 PM

but then he couldn't do this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UFUR76cqLAg

10/24/2008 12:14:59 PM

?? all i saw was that accord driving around on a go cart track.

10/24/2008 12:56:52 PM

Well, I for one would firmly argue against adding sway bars. They will significantly decrease your suspension flex. Flex is very important in vehicle suspension. But, most importantly, it adds to the cool factor. For proof, check out any parking lot on campus or at the mall. Most, if not all the jeeps and trucks have a lift of some sort, which gives the wheels more clearance, and allows the axles and tires greater movement. This is important for speed bumps and highway handling. Mots importantly, you look cool! My advice, check old jegs or jc whitney and see if you can find a lift kit for you accord. If they dont make one, you could opt for some smaller tires. At the very least, remove the bump stops and disconnect the shocks. The last is a cheap alternative, and guaranteed to change you cars handling ability.

10/24/2008 3:14:27 PM

I haven't lived on campus for five years.

I now drive a minivan.

I think we're beyond cool here.

10/24/2008 6:32:35 PM

Quote :

"i have a bigger car and it's night and day for how much the car used to roll and how much it doesn't now"

same here.

Quote :

"I now drive a minivan."

i'm looking for a set of sways for my van.

10/25/2008 1:38:44 AM

seriously? do they really help that much?

10/25/2008 6:28:39 AM

i put an aftermarket set on my daily driver and it really is a night an day difference. worth the cost, IMO. i'm not a hard driver at all, i just HATED the lean of the factory suspension.

whereas my car would lean like hell in a corner or taking a turn, there is minimal lean, even with fat/soft tires.

my van leans like hell, more so than the DD (b/c higher center of gravity and a solid rear axle with soft springs), but someone out there has to make a kit for it. i remember seeing an article in road & track or another mag that someone had put bilstein shocks (maybe new springs) and sway bars on their van it made a HUGE difference. where are those people, when i need them.

it DOES suck when going over speedbumps or railroad tracks.

[Edited on October 25, 2008 at 12:41 PM. Reason : less forgiving over potholes and other imperfections too.]

10/25/2008 12:40:55 PM

There is a "race" honda odyssey with what I think was TL engine in it (that or RDX). the thing had a full cage , susp, the works. You should do that to yours

10/25/2008 2:44:46 PM

i think modifying anything honda makes other than the S2000 (or maybe an ITR or something, although I'd never bother with one) is silly. Ditto for any minivan...


except I would like to build an old skool turbo caravan on the cheap (complete with factory 5 spd manual).

10/25/2008 6:24:11 PM

^^ ran in one lap the past few years. "factory" honda vehicle.

10/25/2008 6:35:18 PM

Quote :

"There is a "race" honda odyssey with what I think was TL engine in it (that or RDX). the thing had a full cage , susp, the works. You should do that to yours"

ah if only i had a whole factory from which to cut and paste parts. those guys put the 6 speed TL engine in a MINIVAN. i love it. that thing would cost around $80k in time/money to build.

that's a $100+k minivan. SWEET daily driver.

10/25/2008 10:51:45 PM