???? *New* Steeda Swaybar Retrofit Kit????

[60Starliner]

I am posting this here since I couldn't get a new post in the Steeda Section.

I picked up the new Steeda Swaybar Retrofit kit for my 2005 focus on the way back home from a work trip to S.FL. The manufacturing does look good. It came with all the necessary parts and included what appears to be rubber endlink bushings as well as urethane bushings too.



I like to prefit / put together parts if possible before installing ("Measure twice, cut once or is it the other way around?" LOL). I ran into what appears to be an issue. When it comes to suspension and brakes I like to be extra careful.

My major concern is that the bolts used to install the clamps and swaybar bushing/retainers/clamps seem to be too short. The bolts measure out at 1 inch (picture below) They don't appear to be long enough to install with the Nylock nuts. Even with all of the clamps compressed together there is still over a 1/4in of gap before the Nylock even reaches the threads. Is this a common issue since this is a new product or did I get the non-Q/A'd swaybar kit?
I know I can go and find some Grade 8 bolts around town that will work but why should I spend the extra money since this was advertised as a full kit ready to go?
I placed these pics on Webshots so they can be viewed at their full size there. I am still trying to get used to my new camera.

[Z63R]

Judging from the third and final pic in your post, "that ain't right".

Seeing how it's going be Saturday in a little bit here and that you're prolly anxious to install this bar, I'd go ahead and purchase four capscrews of whatever length (1.5 - 1.75) you choose and slap that sucker on there.

They're only, what?, 50 - 80 cents each?

I see your point, however, and the pics should show whomever at Steeda is responsible the issue and to merit your satisfaction in the matter.

[DisrupTer911]

Per the pix in http://forums.focaljet.com/new-produ...r-00-05-a.html
biscuitninja's retrofit kit...the bolts in his setup are considerably longer then 1"

[60Starliner]

I agree 911.

Well the instructions that came with the kit show the bolts ends protruding about a .25 in past the end of the nut (as per the picture in the instructions). I think they are the wrong bolts that were included in the kit. I will go and look for some longer bolts tomorrow after I verify the size and threads of the bolt.
Can't wait to get it on the car.

[whyme]

let me know how it works, ive been looking to get one. thanx

[biscuitninja]

Originally Posted by DisrupTer911

Per the pix in http://forums.focaljet.com/new-produ...r-00-05-a.html
biscuitninja's retrofit kit...the bolts in his setup are considerably longer then 1"

Yep, on my first test unit, I went with bolts that were "just" long enough, the next versions had bolts that were longer so that you can dial in preload - just in case you go with a bigger sway bar (5:1 safety factor when people are involved). I also went with a two shortened blocks because capturing the rear tube like steeda did may cause some issues with bigger sway bars (tip and slip of the clamps- the easy way to solve this is with better material OR just more material - I went with both).

As for the bolt issue, I suggest getting something with at least 4-5 extra turns just in case you get some backing out of the nut (due to vibration, jitter, abuse, hitting something...). Just plain good mechanical engineering practice.

good luck and let me know how it work.
-bix

[60Starliner]

Got the swaybar installed yesterday. I ran up to Pepboys and picked up some bolts that are long enough.

I have noticed that this mod has made a major difference in the overall driving dynamics of the Focus.

Hands down the swaybar is a must for any Focus that did not come with it factory. The focus is more noticebly stable through turns and I can push it alot hard in and out of the turns (LEss nose push and over leaning). There is less sway when the wind is blowing or when larger vehicles drive by. Funny also i noticed less movement when I close the doors. It does tighten up the car but does not feel too harsh on daily driven roads.
The install was really straight forward and simple to do for even the most basic backyard mechanics. All that was needed was a jack, jack stands a 9/16 and 1/2 inch wrench.

[biscuitninja]

Glad to hear it works great!
-bix

[Jabara572]

Hey, im new to the boards and to the focus. Just bought a 2005 ZX-3 SE.

How could I tell if my car came equipped with a rear sway? It was my understanding that all 05's came with bigger front sway bars but only some got rear bars.... but i may be completely wrong on that one???

Thanks


-J

[whyme]

Originally Posted by Jabara572

Hey, im new to the boards and to the focus. Just bought a 2005 ZX-3 SE.

How could I tell if my car came equipped with a rear sway? It was my understanding that all 05's came with bigger front sway bars but only some got rear bars.... but i may be completely wrong on that one???

Thanks


-J

not shure about the front size but only the SES and ST models came w/ the rear swaybar. and welcome

[biscuitninja]

Originally Posted by Jabara572

Hey, im new to the boards and to the focus. Just bought a 2005 ZX-3 SE.

How could I tell if my car came equipped with a rear sway? It was my understanding that all 05's came with bigger front sway bars but only some got rear bars.... but i may be completely wrong on that one???

Thanks


-J

Only the SES and ST models come with a rear sway bar, otherwise you don't have one on there. So with owning a SE model you don't have a rear sway bar.
-bix

[Jabara572]

roger that

and thanks for the welcome!

[focituner2]

thats next on my list to pick up

[Honda Hunter]

Call and ask to speak to Scott Boda.

Tell him the kit mistake, and he'll straighten things up.

[Nliiitend1]

Originally Posted by Jabara572

Hey, im new to the boards and to the focus. Just bought a 2005 ZX-3 SE.

How could I tell if my car came equipped with a rear sway? It was my understanding that all 05's came with bigger front sway bars but only some got rear bars.... but i may be completely wrong on that one???

Thanks


-J

The other guys hit the rear info on the head, but to answer you ? about the front bars, the '05 S and SE models (the ones that didn't get a swaybar from the factory) have an 18 mm front bar (same as the ol' SPI front bar) and the '05 SES and ST models retain the 21 mm front bar from previous model years.

So, you have an 18 mm front bar on your car.

[Pucker]

Does anyone know if Steeda fixed the short bolts issue or was that just a fluke? I am looking to get the kit within the next couple of weeks.

Also, do FJ members get any discounts for Steeda products? I am new to board.

One more.. does anyone have thoughts on how the Steeda bar matches up with the stock 18mm front on the 06 ZX3-S as opposed to the 21mm on the upper models?

Thanks!

[carlfreddy]

FYI, the bar in the Steeda kit is the SVT bar.

And I have the SVT 21mm rear sway bar on my 06 ZX3 SE with the 18mm front sway bar and I think its great. Although I am upgrading to the SVT 21mm front bar as well, but thats just my preference.

[Jabara572]

Originally Posted by carlfreddy

FYI, the bar in the Steeda kit is the SVT bar.

And I have the SVT 21mm rear sway bar on my 06 ZX3 SE with the 18mm front sway bar and I think its great. Although I am upgrading to the SVT 21mm front bar as well, but thats just my preference.

As you can tell I want to add a rear sway bar, im just a little confused on what my options are. reason being, I come from owning a pontiac, and on those cars, the ones that did not come with a swaybar from the factory were actually missing the attatchment points for a swaybar at all. is this the case with the focus?, or will my SE be able to accomodate say an SVT bar in the rear, without having to buy a retrofit kit like the steeda one?

thanks.

[carlfreddy]

Originally Posted by Jabara572

or will my SE be able to accomodate say an SVT bar in the rear, without having to buy a retrofit kit like the steeda one?

thanks.

You WILL need a retrofit kit.

Either the Steeda kit, or the aluminium blocks that [FJ] member biscutninja sells.

The other, more expensive and labor intensive option would be to just buy a new rear subframe from Ford.

[Nliiitend1]

^^or make your own kit on the cheap.....

[carlfreddy]

Originally Posted by Nliiitend1

^^or make your own kit on the cheap.....

If he is mechanically inclined.

Even then, not all of us have the time to design and fabricate a retro-fit kit (at least I didn't), so I willingly paid for an already produced kit.

[Nliiitend1]

True, I just thought I'd throw it out there since that's what a lot of folks did, especially before biscuitninja started selling his kit.....

Here's the link to the thread that my buddy posted after we mounted a bar on his car: http://forums.focaljet.com/suspensio...-05-zx3-s.html

[whyme]

I could probably make the retrofit but i prefer a little engineering in the parts that go on my car, besides the cost would be only marginally cheaper unless you already possessed all the tools and materials needed.

[biscuitninja]

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