hi manxman. im glad we can talk and butt heads time to time
and still be car buddies.

 

Sho'nuff. You don't have to think the same as me, but you DO have to think. O.M.G. off topic! Hit the "report this post" button.

 

lost track?? lol. sorry lol i guess. i don't keep notes on peoples cars/mod lists

 

Relax! No prob. Kenchan has a loud voice (comes from being President of his own fan club) ((sorry ken, couldn't resist)) , but you were sleeping. S'OK.

 

lol... i have many fans and a loud voice.

ok, back to em' rear swaybars.

 

Finally got one (used) and installed it with the help of the photos and directions in this DIY, so many thanks for the post! Love the feel, although the steering feels a little heavier, but not in a bad way. I like the way the back end seems to follow better and come around the corner better. Can't wait for some rain to play around an push it some.... but then again, this is So Cal so I could be waiting a loooong time.....

 

Just did mines today and the install took longer than expected since I didn't get any help. Hardest part was removing the springs from the perch and then getting the bolts to line up with the bar while using the jack. A tip for anyone going to install this bar is get a friend to help you out it would make it much easier. My impressions of the bar is terrific. I am able to take turns much more confidently and when I change lanes it is much more precise. Thanks everyone for the DIY and the great deal on the bar (thankx MPG-motoring).

 

did mine myself, felt no difference at all... Cant even figure out how it works, my impressions of it is "junk" just another bling product. Go ahead and flame this thread I wont return, its the truth though

 

It is just a torsion beam stiffener. I can appreciate your not feeling much difference, I think it's just a tiny tweak of oversteer in the middle of a corner, not sure it's worth the money.

 

can someone please tell me the proper amount of torque/ lbs needed for the bolts on the sway bar and the oem struts. please asap!!!

 

Just like the instructions told you that came with your bar-------------------

38-42 ft/lbs. for the Progress Bar bolts.

If you are going to modify your car, you need to have the Honda Fit Service Manual for torque specs., such as for the rear shock absorbers (struts are only in the front).

 

There's awesome info in this thread. Suscribed!

 

I used those numbers and stripped nuts, had to buy new bolts and nuts. I'd recommend "mechanic's feel." Just make them feel as close to "just right as you can.

 

I used those torque numbers too in the DIY part of this thread. They worked fine. And used them again to install the Progress bar on my wife's Scion XB. Dozens-to-hundreds of other buyers have used those settings with no problem. You might need a new torque wrench- yours appears to be lying.

 

Some people just don't notice stuff. You can hand them sh!t on a shingle and they think it's fantastic. Or you can hand them the best thing money can buy and they just can't find the appeal.

This is how Chrysler was able to sell hundreds of thousands of Neons with engines that had no balance shaft. It's also why some people can stick dubs on a Camry and then praise the car for its "smooth ride." Some people are oblivious.

Personally, I think the bar is almost too effective. I'm not confident that a quick zig-zag lane change won't result in snap oversteer.

 

Richard, I know what you mean. Before the bar my steering was so dead-on neutral/predictable it was amazing. Now I do feel that tiny twinge of oversteer in the middle of a moderate curve that is just a tiny bit daunting. But in a tight s-curve on-ramp to a divided highway at my last job, I was able to negotiate the curve WOT in 3rd gear a bit faster with less tire squeal so I'm not worried that the bar does any harm!

 

Could anyone let me know the compatibility of this anti-sway bar with the GE8 FitS?

I just purchased (waiting for the car to be delivered) a new '09 FitS and I'm so impressed with the reviews of this bar that I'm going to go with it right off the bat.

TIA!!!

 

The suspensions of the GD3 and GE8's are different enough so that it is guaranteed that the GD3 Progress bar WILL NOT fit your car. Contact Progress- I'm sure that they are hard at work to design a bar for the new generation Fits. Just remember that the GD3's DID NOT have a rear anti-sway bar. YOUR car DOES have one.

 

Thank you for the quick reply.

That answers my question. I'm still left wondering whether, once Progress has one developed, swapping the stock anti-sway with the Progress one would benefit me. Typically anti-sways from the factory are little better than a coat hanger stuck in there and don't have the stiffening capabilities that a 22mm bar does.

I guess I'll have to wait and see what progress has in store for the future. I've emailed them so I'm hoping they'll put me on a mailing list for new releases, etc.

Thank you again manxman.



EDIT: Just researched that the Fit Sport comes with a 17mm rear "stabilizer" bar stock. Would the 5mm difference of a future Progress anti-sway bar make much difference? My guess is yes, but I have very little for comparison. I'll just have to wait it out and see for myself.

 

You're welcome. For you and future '09 Fit Sport buyers, I am hoping that Progress, or one of the other sway bar manufacturers like Helwig, will make a stiffer replacement for the stock bar. But they could also just make a mild bar of whatever diameter they feel is proper, tempered and annealed so that it enhances the handling and tightens things up without having to take out the stock bar.