Sway Bar Reinforcement(s)-Thoughts!

[Fresh1179]

I’m about to throw the Turner swaybars on my car today or tomorrow and wanted to run this question by people (which may be a bad idea for my weekend..) about the necessity of reinforcement for those that run larger/stiffer bars. For those that have them installed, have you had any issues?

[Obioban]

I’m about to throw the Turner swaybars on my car today or tomorrow and wanted to run this question by people (which may be a bad idea for my weekend..) about the necessity of reinforcement for those that run larger/stiffer bars. For those that have them installed, have you had any issues?

I think they're mostly a remnant of e36 thinking, where the failed easily and often.

That said, if you're running very soft (as in, stock is 160 lb/in) springs and stiff sways with very sticky tires, yes, I'd do the reinforcement-- you'd be putting load on them it wasn't designed for.

[Fresh1179]

I’m still trying to figure out to quote in this new configuration but thanks Obioban. I’m running some pretty stiff springs (sways being changed during installation of coil overs). Also, thank you for the 100k maintenance thread. Followed it to a T, with some performance mods and the car runs like new.

[terra]

I think they're mostly a remnant of e36 thinking, where the failed easily and often.

That said, if you're running very soft (as in, stock is 160 lb/in) springs and stiff sways with very sticky tires, yes, I'd do the reinforcement-- you'd be putting load on them it wasn't designed for.

Seems to be rare on this chassis, but there are examples out there of the front sway bar mount failing. I wonder if the CSL front bracket (steel instead of aluminum) would sorta double as a reinforcement.

I think I would run at least those brackets given that BMW felt the need to on the CSL, which has a relatively mild front sway bar compared to aftermarket options.

[Fresh1179]

Seems to be rare on this chassis, but there are examples out there of the front sway bar mount failing. I wonder if the CSL front bracket (steel instead of aluminum) would sorta double as a reinforcement.

I think I would run at least those brackets given that BMW felt the need to on the CSL, which has a relatively mild front sway bar compared to aftermarket options.

Would there be any issues with fitment of the bushings? I don’t know if the CSL bushings were a different size than the non-CSL models.

[Obioban]

I’m still trying to figure out to quote in this new configuration but thanks Obioban. I’m running some pretty stiff springs (sways being changed during installation of coil overs). Also, thank you for the 100k maintenance thread. Followed it to a T, with some performance mods and the car runs like new.

... I need to remake the maintenance thread on this forum. Honestly, it was probably due-- I made the original version a long time ago... could probably make it more clean looking.

[terra]

Would there be any issues with fitment of the bushings? I don’t know if the CSL bushings were a different size than the non-CSL models.

Bushings are the same size (outer dimensions, inner is obviously sized for the bar). Bracket is made of steel instead of aluminum.

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Vs Stock:

[Dash1]

I've been running tms bars with stock springs. No real complaints except that my sway bar bushings wear faster.

[Speed Monkey]

CSL Sway Bars - My car is fitted with these mildly stiffer bars, clamped into place with Powerflex Purple poly sway bar bushes (fairly stiff, these do not give to “fingernail” pressure like the OEM bushes do), and my sled is suspended on PSS10s. I’ve had this combo for many trouble free years. This is the extent of my experience with non-stock bars, YMMV.

[mrgizmo04]

Weren't the issues not really with brackets breaking but the studs and the whole attachment point? I think that is what needed reinforcement rather than the bracket. I remember a few folks on old forum ripped theirs (don't remember who exactly - crookedcomie or moose or someone else tracking).

[mrgizmo04]

Also to add I'm running "flat ride" with 375/628 springs and Turner front bar on soft and it behaves well for canyons/autox/track. That said I do NOT run sticky tires, I'm there to have fun instead of chasing lap times, so in my case I prob don't need to worry about reinforcement. If you run 200tw or lower tire and track a tonne with full weight car, prob makes sense.

That said, I haven't seen kits specific for swaybar area, seen some for engine mounts. I think guys who ripped theirs on the other forum had to fabricate and weld some custom reinforcements.

[duracellttu]

The e39 M5 has Beast Brackets for the rear sway bar. On that platform the OEM brackets are prone to break so these are billet aluminum reinforced brackets. Not sure I've seen anything like it for the e46 M3.

[exodus454]

I had one of the studs pull through the mount on my passenger side. I'm running TMS bars set to the middle, Eibach sport w/ Bilsteins, also some super hard bushings on the swaybar. Also sqaure PSS. I have one track day on it, but otherwise it's daily driven.

I made some reinforcement plates and it's been fine since.

I guess I should have expected it, just adding a data point.

[Obioban]

Also to add I'm running "flat ride" with 375/628 springs and Turner front bar on soft and it behaves well for canyons/autox/track. That said I do NOT run sticky tires, I'm there to have fun instead of chasing lap times, so in my case I prob don't need to worry about reinforcement. If you run 200tw or lower tire and track a tonne with full weight car, prob makes sense.

That said, I haven't seen kits specific for swaybar area, seen some for engine mounts. I think guys who ripped theirs on the other forum had to fabricate and weld some custom reinforcements.

That's still more than twice as stiff front springs as stock!

The e39 M5 has Beast Brackets for the rear sway bar. On that platform the OEM brackets are prone to break so these are billet aluminum reinforced brackets. Not sure I've seen anything like it for the e46 M3.

Some sways come with that-- E.g. the GC race front sway I'm running does:

[duracellttu]

Some sways come with that-- E.g. the GC race front sway I'm running does:

Ahh good to know!