Cusco Front Swaybar (04/09/04)

The immediate handling problem with the stock STi is the understeer and body roll.  Having come from my wagon that was on rails by the time I was done with it, this is unacceptable.  While I decide on what coilovers to get, the first order of business is to get swaybars.  I went with a front fixed and rear adjustable made by Cusco.  The idea was to dial out some of the understeer and get the car more neutral or even slightly tail happy.

Here is the Cusco (blue) and stock bars side by side.  The Cusco is definitely stiffer, although the bushings appear to be of the same quality as OEM.

Start by putting the car onto ramps.  You want the suspension loaded when you do the swaybars.  Remove the nuts that hold the bar to the endlinks on each side.  You may have to put an allen wrench into the stud to hold it while you remove the nut.

To get at the clamps that hold the swaybar bushings, you have to remove the subframe.  This job is a lot easier with a cordless impact gun!  First, you'll need to remove the under body splash guard and the jacking plate.  Then on the subframe there are 6 bolts on each side and 2 up front.  Remove them all and drop the subframe.

With the subframe out, you can easily get to the clamps and bushings.  Remove both sides and then drop the swaybar.  Pay attention to the orientation of the stock bar so you can get the Cusco in the same way.  Reattach the clamps over the new Cusco bushings and finger tighten.

Next reattach the endlinks.  Torque the endlinks to 33 ft-lbs and the clamps to 18 ft-lbs.  Then reinstall the subframe.  The subframe bolts have different torque values so consult the service manual for a diagram on which one gets torqued to what value.  And of course reattach the jacking plate and splash guard.

Rear Swaybar

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