Is the TRD rear sway bar a worthwhile upgrade? - Toyota Yaris Forums

YellowJolt · 07-09-2009, 04:52 PM

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 · 07-09-2009, 04:55 PM

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 · 07-09-2009, 04:56 PM

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 · 07-09-2009, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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.

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 · 07-09-2009, 04:59 PM

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 · 07-09-2009, 05:14 PM

Quote:

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 · 07-09-2009, 06:19 PM

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

cali yaris · 07-09-2009, 06:32 PM

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 · 07-09-2009, 08:46 PM

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 · 07-09-2009, 09:10 PM

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 · 07-09-2009, 10:32 PM

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* · 07-09-2009, 10:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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.

I paid the mechanic $18. Anything more than that and you're getting ripped off IMHO. It took them 5-10 mins tops.

scape · 07-10-2009, 06:40 AM

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/sho...31&postcount=3

kmf123kmf · 07-10-2009, 08:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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

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 · 07-10-2009, 09:54 AM

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 · 07-10-2009, 09:59 AM

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 · 07-10-2009, 10:19 AM

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 · 07-10-2009, 11:41 AM

thnks!

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

07-09-2009, 04:52 PM	#1
YellowJolt Drives: 2009 Yaris 3dr LB Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: New Jersey Posts: 35	Is the TRD rear sway bar a worthwhile upgrade? 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

07-09-2009, 04:56 PM	#3
cali yaris ULTIMATE View User's Garage Drives: 07 Yaris Turbo Join Date: May 2007 Location: Canoga Park, CA Posts: 14,859	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. __________________ Micro Image forums, online store and shop are now closed. It was a great eight year run, but it was time to focus on other things. I'm still selling parts on eBay under micro*image seller ID and customers can still make requests for anything specific.

07-09-2009, 06:32 PM	#8
cali yaris ULTIMATE View User's Garage Drives: 07 Yaris Turbo Join Date: May 2007 Location: Canoga Park, CA Posts: 14,859	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. __________________ Micro Image forums, online store and shop are now closed. It was a great eight year run, but it was time to focus on other things. I'm still selling parts on eBay under micro*image seller ID and customers can still make requests for anything specific.

07-10-2009, 09:59 AM	#16
mrbond View User's Garage Drives: 2008 meteorite hatchback Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Illinois Posts: 960	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. __________________ - HOOOEY! That's one tahny little cawr! What the heck kinda toy is that? - A Toyota Yaris - A whut Yaris?

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07-09-2009, 04:55 PM	#2
detroiter Drives: 2008 Polar White LB Auto Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Metro Detroit Posts: 1,238	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.

07-09-2009, 04:59 PM	#5
mikenacarato SIPNDEW View User's Garage Drives: 15 STI Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Brentwood, TN Posts: 2,281	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!

07-09-2009, 08:46 PM	#9
scape View User's Garage Drives: 2007 Yaris Hatchback Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Beaufort, South Carolina Posts: 388	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

07-09-2009, 09:10 PM	#10
supmet Banned View User's Garage Drives: 2007 4 Door Yaris Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Southern California Posts: 1,357	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.

07-09-2009, 10:32 PM	#11
kmf123kmf Drives: '09 Black 5DR AT Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 30	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.

07-10-2009, 06:40 AM	#13
scape View User's Garage Drives: 2007 Yaris Hatchback Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Beaufort, South Carolina Posts: 388	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/sho...31&postcount=3

07-10-2009, 09:54 AM	#15
pennyracer boydstir View User's Garage Drives: 08 yaris liftback Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: grants pass Posts: 424	a must have for the little yaris lb they are very unstable in the wind the trd rear sway bar will help that problem

07-10-2009, 10:19 AM	#17
CTScott ULTIMATE View User's Garage Drives: 09 5dr LB, 2x 08 3dr LB Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: USA, CT Posts: 13,460	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.

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