Is the TRD rear sway bar a worthwhile upgrade?

[YellowJolt]

My Toyota dealer can get me a TRD rear sway bar for $151.20 + tax. Along with increasing the tire pressure, is there a better bang-for-the-buck suspension upgrade out there? How much of a difference will I really FEEL? I am not an aggressive driver but I like to be able to corner. It certainly seems like the car rolls in the corners, especially in the rear. I realize the addition of a rear sway bar will make some kind of positive difference, but I would like to hear from those who have made the upgrade (on an otherwise stock Yaris) and who can try and quantify the results for me.

Thanks,
Scott

[detroiter]

I'm not going to say yes to you about this. I'm going to say HELL YES it's a worthwhile upgrade.

I can't stress to you enough about how different the car will feel based just on "some metal bar". For like an extra 15-20 dollars on that price, you could get an Ultraspeed (I believe that's the brand) rear sway bar which is 5mm thicker than the TRD one. Either choice you make though, the bar will make a massive difference.

[cali yaris]

Totally worth it.

The TRD bar is 19mm. The Ultra Racing 19mm bar is $134.95 shipped - same thing, different color and brand.

We also have the Ultra Racing 23mm bar for $164.95 shipped.

[YellowJolt]

I'm not going to say yes to you about this. I'm going to say HELL YES it's a worthwhile upgrade.

I can't stress to you enough about how different the car will feel based just on "some metal bar". For like an extra 15-20 dollars on that price, you could get an Ultraspeed (I believe that's the brand) rear sway bar which is 5mm thicker than the TRD one. Either choice you make though, the bar will make a massive difference.

Thank you for your reply. So I will definitely feel this improvement with some spirited driving? Did you adjust your tire pressure up at the same time? I forgot to add that my car came with the 15" alloy wheels and the much-maligned Bridgestone Potenza rubber.

[mikenacarato]

although i have not tried the 23mm bar that garm carries, i do have a trd one and i love it! its a great upgrade!

[cali yaris]

So I will definitely feel this improvement with some spirited driving?

Yes, and I doubt you'll find a single person on here to disagree. It's just one of those things the car should have from the factory.

[YAR1S]

please dont flame on me, but what is the reasoning behind the two differnt sizes?

[cali yaris]

19mm was the size of the TRD sway bar, so we matched that with the lower priced Ultra Racing bar. Then for even more stiffness/anti-roll, we requested a 23mm bar. It turns out the larger bar works great.

In race conditions especially (higher g forces and at the limit of traction), the larger bar will provide more stability than the smaller one. It's $30 more.

So you have two price points and two slightly different purposed bars to choose from.

[scape]

my next purchase will be the anti-roll bar, and probably the 23mm; many members believe it's a fantastic upgrade. if you're looking for traction and stability under spirited driving, new tires help too!

oh, and also you can probably install this sucker yourself, with a socket wrench I bet-- no need to give any more money back to the dealership :D

[supmet]

I put the sway bar on a stock yaris. You can definitely feel a difference in hard turns, and it keeps the car straighter in high winds.

[kmf123kmf]

Does anyone know how much a dealer/mechanic would charge to do this install? 1 hour minimum labor charge?

I'd love to do this myself someday but as it is I'd have to buy a jack, stands, and a torque wrench which probably adds up to more than the 1 hour labor charge.

[tk-421]

Does anyone know how much a dealer/mechanic would charge to do this install? 1 hour minimum labor charge?

I'd love to do this myself someday but as it is I'd have to buy a jack, stands, and a torque wrench which probably adds up to more than the 1 hour labor charge.
I paid the mechanic $18. Anything more than that and you're getting ripped off IMHO. It took them 5-10 mins tops.

[scape]

i don't know if you need all that to be honest... i installed a driveshaft on a bronco with nothing special (that's a tad redneck)-- but don't be afraid to get under there! :D

http://www.yarisworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=16743

check the third paragraph

or here too:
http://www.yarisworld.com/forums/showpost.php?p=205231&postcount=3

[kmf123kmf]

i don't know if you need all that to be honest... i installed a driveshaft on a bronco with nothing special (that's a tad redneck)-- but don't be afraid to get under there! :D

Thanks for the info! When I finally get my Yaris I'll take a look under the car and see if it seems feasible for me.

[pennyracer]

a must have for the little yaris lb they are very unstable in the wind the trd rear sway bar will help that problem

[mrbond]

Yeah, the installation of the 23mm sway bar didn't take anything special. Didn't need a jack at all. Took me maayyyybe 10 minutes. You can do it if you have a ratchet with a 14mm and a 19mm piece.

[CTScott]

I have been thinking about adding the rear sway bar and the front strut tower brace for a while now. This thread just bumped it up to the top of my to-do list. I just ordered both parts from microimage for $214 with free shipping.

[YAR1S]

thnks!


can you install the bar with the car on the ground or does it have to be jacked up to do it?

[Altitude]

A must have mod.

[RedRide]

thnks!


can you install the bar with the car on the ground or does it have to be jacked up to do it?

I would like to know this also.
I assume it can but, just how difficult would it be?

[Altitude]

I would like to know this also.
I assume it can but, just how difficult would it be?

Doesn't need to be jacked up, but you will need to support the shock/shock mount just a bit so you can get the bolt through once you remove the one that's there. I used the Yaris' hydro jack to push the shock up just a bit but there are other ways to do it.

[YellowJolt]

Thanks for all the feedback. I think I'd like to stick to the TRD swaybar, but thank you for the offers. I figured you could install it while the car is on the ground, I did the install with my old '85 Grand Prix (solid axle with arms) in the driveway.

[cali yaris]

$151.20 + tax vs. $134.95 to your door, no tax

[Bob Dog]

#1 upgrade for the $$

[MUSKOKA800]

Every Yaris should have a rear anti-sway bar. It should be the law. Improved driveability, safety and fun-factor all with no down-side.

[Tamago]

"yes"

[YellowJolt]

Okay, I bought the TRD bar from my local dealer, and installed it in my driveway in about 20 minutes. The mounting points are viewable if you look under the rear bumper. A few pointers: First, it's best if you park on a level surface. Then, do not remove the lower shock mount bolts all the way, leave them in with a couple threads of the end sticking out of the lower shock mount. This way you can mock the bar into position and when you get the mounting holes lined up, shove the lower shock bolt home through the hole, and start the nut. Repeat on the opposite side. Once you get the bar hung by the shock bolts on both sides, you can rotate the bar up and slip the bolts through the secondary mounting points. Torque it all down, take it for a ride and you are done!

Like I said, I did it all on the ground in my driveway. The difference in handling was immediately recognizable and this was definitely a worthwhile upgrade. Confidence in sharp, corrective maneuvers is increased, and going around curves is now something quite fun. As others have said, the Yaris should have come this way from the factory. Next step for me is to pump up the air pressure on the tires, this should increase some fuel mileage and stiffen up the ride a bit, too.

Scott

[scape]

not to thread jack, but i'm wondering which I should get-- 19mm or 23mm. i don't plan on getting any wider of tires (195/55 series on 15) and am thinking 23mm might end up as too much

[YellowJolt]

not to thread jack, but i'm wondering which I should get-- 19mm or 23mm. i don't plan on getting any wider of tires (195/55 series on 15) and am thinking 23mm might end up as too much

I think I'd recommend the 19mm rear bar, considering you are remaining relatively stock (as I am). The 19mm bar seems to be engineered to complement the stock suspension system and really tightens up the overall handling characteristics of the car. Body roll is slowed (and also limited) to an incremental amount and it's very predictable in turns. I chose the TRD unit but it appears there is also a very reasonably priced aftermarket 19mm rear bar out there (read through this thread). I want to add that my car is equipped with the OEM 15" alloys, and your results may be a bit different with the higher unsprung weight of 15" steelies or smaller 14" steelies.

Scott

[MUSKOKA800]

Thanks for the info! When I finally get my Yaris I'll take a look under the car and see if it seems feasible for me.

Don't be timid. I installed mine on the driveway in 20 minutes (including collecting the tools and clean-up afterward. A couple spanners is adequate. A socket set and two spanners even faster. You likely won't even need to lift the car unless you're fat like me. :iono: I didn't even remove the wheels although it would have been slightly easier if I had.