I installed the Progress RSB on my 2011 Fit Sport last weekend. It was dead simple. The car still leans more in curves than I'd like, but it's much better at going where I point it. I'm gonna do the camber kit next, then I'll probably leave the car alone until it's out of warranty.

 

I was wondering how much of a difference the progress rsb makes. I started to think that the torsion beam didn't flex enough for an additional rsb/brace to make an appreciable difference. However, I saw a photo of a B Spec Honda Fit taking a hard corner. From the photo it can clearly be seen how the torsion beam flexes several inches, especially when you compare the angle of the strut bases. The beam is certainly not as ridge as I thought. I imagine the progress rsb helps to resist this kind of flexing when taking a corner.

 

If you don't believe any of the hundreds of positive posts about the Progress RSB, then don't buy it. Simple enough for the average person to understand. The Progress RSB adds more resistance to the too-weak stock rear RSB. Believe it or not. If "not", don't buy. Simple. If you own a Base Fit, then you don't have the stock RSB to begin with. You NEED the Progress bar in that case.

There are only 2400 posts in this thread. How much more info. could you possibly need, and how could you ask such a question?

 

Disconnect one lower shock mount and see how wobbly that beam really is (just push it with your foot), it will flop up and down. It's supposed to have some give, it's not a solid piece and that's part of the suspensions' design. It's in the middle between IRS and solid beam axle (not as good as the former, definitely better than the latter). The Progress style bar still allows some of that "give" but just stiffens it up.

This bar is on my Christmas wish list this year

 

You do realize my post was agreeing that the progress rsb probably does help firm-up the suspension, exactly because the torsion beam flexes, right? Or perhaps it wasn't simple enough for you to understand.

 

No other after-market suspension part has been purchased as often, or discussed as often, on these forums as the Progress RSB. It is your word "probably" that does not belong in your question. By using that word, you show that you have not bothered to read more than 5,000 posts on this piece of hardware (regarding first and second generation Fits).

See, it is called suspension because it suspends (isolates) car, driver, passengers, cargo from shock and vibration caused by wheels rolling over variations in road surface.

99% of buyers of the Progress RSB, either on GD3 Fits that did not have a stock RSB, or on GE8 Fits that did but the stock RSB was too weak to be effective, have posted positive experiences with the bars. The 1% who posted negative reviews don't have realistic expectations.

With, or without, after-market suspension parts, NO CAR can provide absolutely flat cornering. The only way to get absolutely flat cornering is to remove all flexibility in the suspension. Like, replace springs with bricks, or columns of solid plastic, metal, or wood. Then you have to eliminate flex from the tires. Replace them with solid rubber, cast iron, cast concrete.

Then it becomes a matter of conjecture which breaks first- the bricks or your kidneys. The Progress RSB is the most effective after-market accessory that you can possibly buy for your Fit. I bought the very first Progress RSB for the GD3 Fits, and it was through my efforts that the First RSB for the GE8 Fits got its early release. Who bought that one? I did.

 

let me go grab the popcorn... a pissing match where both people agree with each other, but are passive aggressive enough to have to sneak barbs into their statements.

you've both stated the same thing, just with different mitigating language.


the progress RSB improves handling, regardless of generation or trim line. For the record, it's the first upgrade I've purchased for my car.

 

Woo. Thanks a bunch for your clarification.

 

sarcasm noted.

 

Maybe, at the end of this thread, the last OP got the message (for his sake, I hope so).

 

I just received my Progress RSB but I am pretty lost on how to reposition the rubber mount. The 2 holes nearest the rear of the car are almost totally blocked out by the said mounts. I'm usually a DIYer but this has me wanting to find and pay a shop an unreasonable amount of cash to worry about it for me.

Any suggestions on how to effectively reposition the mounts so I can get all 6 bolts through?

 

The instructions that came with the Progress bars that I bought for my GD3 and GE8 Fits tell you to remove the springs and rubber pads, fasten the bar with the included bolts, then replace the springs and pads. I followed those instructions and had zero problems.

 

I used car stands vs. ramps so the suspension could "hang" while I installed mine. You just need to use a flat head screw driver to carefully pry the rubber up and push the bolt through. The hardest part is getting the allen key on the bolt head while tightening the lower nut, but it's doable.

 

Thanks, I finally got all my bolts in under the rubber by using a flat head.

I only had access to 3 of the 6 bolt hex heads so the other three have not been tied down. That'll be done with the help of a buddy tomorrow morning.

 

With all this prying and fighting everyone does with the legendary Third Bolt, why don't you guys just take the springs out at step one and not have to fight with it? I'm not trying to be condescending or dickish i'm just curious.

 

Impatience and a lack of necessary supplies, in my case.

I was trying to pull it off without even removing the wheels as all I had access to were some super heavy duty rhino ramps. I'm meeting with my pal and mechanic to tie down the remaining 3 bolts the proper way tomorrow.

 

at the very least, you shocks need to get disconnected and the vehicle jacked up to stretch them far enough to work. learned this when I had to re-do the bar.

interesting anecdotal note. I had MUCH stronger turn in when I had the bar backwards.

 

^Yes, I would jack up the rear until just before the wheels leave the ground, remove both bottom shock bolts, continue raising the rear, take the springs out, install sway bar, install springs, lower the rear, install shock bolts.

I think maybe the bar felt different backwards because it was binding on something, maybe the undercarriage (noise you were hearing)?

 

I realize I'm bumping a slightly old thread, but just wanted to chime in to say thanks to the OP for making this. I have the Progress RSB on my 08 Si, and it makes a WORLD of difference for helping to eliminate understeer. I'm looking to pick up a GE8 to replace my 99 Civic as a DD, and this would be the first modification I would make to the car.

 

Finally selling my progress RSB (original design which fits 2009-2010). AFAIK and not reading through all the threads again, they had to put an additional curve in the bar for the 2011+ models due to design change on the beam??

(Listed in the for sale forum for SF bay area)