Ultra Racing Sways & Understeer
07-10-19, 04:28 PM
#1
Ultra Racing Sways & Understeer
I just recently installed both front and rear sways bars from Ultra Racing and now have some serious understeer. I have not had an alignment yet and hoping this will help. My concern is that right now the understeer is bad enough where I was coming around a curve I am very familiar with in the rain and the car just went straight and then all four tires lost traction. I was not speeding, I was actually going slower than normal since I noticed the understeer in the rain earlier that day.
Has anyone else run into this issue after installing these, and if so were you able to correct it without going back to stock?
Has anyone else run into this issue after installing these, and if so were you able to correct it without going back to stock?
07-10-19, 04:42 PM
#3
The rears are new, fronts are the originals. Fronts felt ok, but I did order some new ones that just arrived late yesterday. I plan to install them either tonight or tomorrow then get an alignment by this weekend.
Just changed out the front end links. Used Moog as I could get them faster and have seen positive reviews on here. Getting an alignment tomorrow.
Just changed out the front end links. Used Moog as I could get them faster and have seen positive reviews on here. Getting an alignment tomorrow.
Last edited by 02Legend; 07-10-19 at 05:53 PM. Reason: added info
07-12-19, 12:51 PM
#4
Instructor
Can't answer your question but am curious what the diameter of these aftermarket stabilizer bars are (measured by calipers and/or printed spec), the design differences from OEM (got side-by-side pics?), the performance characteristics you expected to gain, and what marketing/advertising information they provided that indicates they can outperform the OEM design.
The factory stabilizer bars on the 01-03 are what the 04-06 call "sport". The base model 04-06 have bars that are 1mm thinner than all 01-03 models.
The factory stabilizer bars on the 01-03 are what the 04-06 call "sport". The base model 04-06 have bars that are 1mm thinner than all 01-03 models.
07-12-19, 04:05 PM
#5
Can't answer your question but am curious what the diameter of these aftermarket stabilizer bars are (measured by calipers and/or printed spec), the design differences from OEM (got side-by-side pics?), the performance characteristics you expected to gain, and what marketing/advertising information they provided that indicates they can outperform the OEM design.
The factory stabilizer bars on the 01-03 are what the 04-06 call "sport". The base model 04-06 have bars that are 1mm thinner than all 01-03 models.
The factory stabilizer bars on the 01-03 are what the 04-06 call "sport". The base model 04-06 have bars that are 1mm thinner than all 01-03 models.
Last edited by 02Legend; 07-12-19 at 04:18 PM.
07-12-19, 04:39 PM
#6
Well thicker swaybars in the rain probably isn't the best place to see if the handling is better or not. Very likely that even in the wet, there was too much speed, or you may have hydro / aquaplaned a little bit, causing the push.
Alignment won't help either, as all you're changing with the bars, is the weight transfer under cornering.
What size tires are you on?
Alignment won't help either, as all you're changing with the bars, is the weight transfer under cornering.
What size tires are you on?
07-12-19, 04:46 PM
#7
Well thicker swaybars in the rain probably isn't the best place to see if the handling is better or not. Very likely that even in the wet, there was too much speed, or you may have hydro / aquaplaned a little bit, causing the push.
Alignment won't help either, as all you're changing with the bars, is the weight transfer under cornering.
What size tires are you on?
Alignment won't help either, as all you're changing with the bars, is the weight transfer under cornering.
What size tires are you on?
I have the stock 18's with 245/45 tires.
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07-14-19, 09:33 AM
#8
I finally went out with a caliper and measured the thickness between the front stock sway and the Ultra Racing. I'm using a KD Tools digital caliper, for reference. Granted the thickness is marginal, the weight between the two is significant. I double checked all bolts and re-torqued to spec. I did not check the rear as it is nasty and humid right now.
Stock = 27mm
UR = 28.2mm
New Issue
After the alignment I now have a vibration/popping coming from the front right. It reminds me of a bad end link (both are brand new). I didn't notice any free play when I checked and re-torqued everything. Ironically it was not doing this until after the alignment. However, the car does feel better after the alignment and me re-torquing everything.
Stock = 27mm
UR = 28.2mm
New Issue
After the alignment I now have a vibration/popping coming from the front right. It reminds me of a bad end link (both are brand new). I didn't notice any free play when I checked and re-torqued everything. Ironically it was not doing this until after the alignment. However, the car does feel better after the alignment and me re-torquing everything.
Last edited by 02Legend; 07-14-19 at 11:37 AM.
07-15-19, 06:23 AM
#9
You might be the first person to run the UR front bar. I only have the rear UR bar and the handling is pretty neutral, though I don't push the car because aggressive or even spirited driving in the LS430 kind of goes against the over all style of the car.
07-15-19, 06:58 AM
#10
New Issue
After the alignment I now have a vibration/popping coming from the front right. It reminds me of a bad end link (both are brand new). I didn't notice any free play when I checked and re-torqued everything. Ironically it was not doing this until after the alignment. However, the car does feel better after the alignment and me re-torquing everything.
07-15-19, 05:18 PM
#11
I thought about going back and having it realigned and may call them tomorrow (NTB). I've had issues with one of the dealerships locally that don't like to even look at certain aspects of the car if everything is not OEM parts.
07-15-19, 06:45 PM
#12
Lexus Champion
Please take a look at Post #2 at the link below...
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls-...y-bar-too.html
The front of the LS430 carries a larger portion of the overall weight. When making a turn, the front of the car tends to hold its ground better, while the rear would experience a slight sliding away from the curb. This gives the driver a bit of over-steer feel. Eventually, you will re-baseline this experience as "normal". Now if you enhance the ability of the rear wheels to hold-the-ground and eliminate the sliding, the car will give the driver a bit of the under-steer feel.
On my car, the rear springs were a bit saggy and the rear tires are wider apart at the bottom (where they touch the ground) than the top. I suspect that this misalignment further exaggerate the under/over-steering issue until I added the adjustable linkages.
I have both front and rear Ultra Racing sway bars and their performance are rock-solid in cornering (wet or dry).
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls-...y-bar-too.html
The front of the LS430 carries a larger portion of the overall weight. When making a turn, the front of the car tends to hold its ground better, while the rear would experience a slight sliding away from the curb. This gives the driver a bit of over-steer feel. Eventually, you will re-baseline this experience as "normal". Now if you enhance the ability of the rear wheels to hold-the-ground and eliminate the sliding, the car will give the driver a bit of the under-steer feel.
On my car, the rear springs were a bit saggy and the rear tires are wider apart at the bottom (where they touch the ground) than the top. I suspect that this misalignment further exaggerate the under/over-steering issue until I added the adjustable linkages.
I have both front and rear Ultra Racing sway bars and their performance are rock-solid in cornering (wet or dry).
07-15-19, 07:20 PM
#13
Please take a look at Post #2 at the link below...
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls-...y-bar-too.html
The front of the LS430 carries a larger portion of the overall weight. When making a turn, the front of the car tends to hold its ground better, while the rear would experience a slight sliding away from the curb. This gives the driver a bit of over-steer feel. Eventually, you will re-baseline this experience as "normal". Now if you enhance the ability of the rear wheels to hold-the-ground and eliminate the sliding, the car will give the driver a bit of the under-steer feel.
On my car, the rear springs were a bit saggy and the rear tires are wider apart at the bottom (where they touch the ground) than the top. I suspect that this misalignment further exaggerate the under/over-steering issue until I added the adjustable linkages.
I have both front and rear Ultra Racing sway bars and their performance are rock-solid in cornering (wet or dry).
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls-...y-bar-too.html
The front of the LS430 carries a larger portion of the overall weight. When making a turn, the front of the car tends to hold its ground better, while the rear would experience a slight sliding away from the curb. This gives the driver a bit of over-steer feel. Eventually, you will re-baseline this experience as "normal". Now if you enhance the ability of the rear wheels to hold-the-ground and eliminate the sliding, the car will give the driver a bit of the under-steer feel.
On my car, the rear springs were a bit saggy and the rear tires are wider apart at the bottom (where they touch the ground) than the top. I suspect that this misalignment further exaggerate the under/over-steering issue until I added the adjustable linkages.
I have both front and rear Ultra Racing sway bars and their performance are rock-solid in cornering (wet or dry).
As always, thanks for the good insight and info RKW.
Last edited by 02Legend; 07-15-19 at 07:43 PM.
07-15-19, 07:21 PM
#14
I might consider the UR front bar now. I did the poly mount bushings for the stock bar but no difference was noticed.
07-20-19, 01:46 PM
#15
I finally went out with a caliper and measured the thickness between the front stock sway and the Ultra Racing. I'm using a KD Tools digital caliper, for reference. Granted the thickness is marginal, the weight between the two is significant. I double checked all bolts and re-torqued to spec. I did not check the rear as it is nasty and humid right now.
Stock = 27mm
UR = 28.2mm
New Issue
After the alignment I now have a vibration/popping coming from the front right. It reminds me of a bad end link (both are brand new). I didn't notice any free play when I checked and re-torqued everything. Ironically it was not doing this until after the alignment. However, the car does feel better after the alignment and me re-torquing everything.
Stock = 27mm
UR = 28.2mm
New Issue
After the alignment I now have a vibration/popping coming from the front right. It reminds me of a bad end link (both are brand new). I didn't notice any free play when I checked and re-torqued everything. Ironically it was not doing this until after the alignment. However, the car does feel better after the alignment and me re-torquing everything.
Nuts that were loose. Not sure how to make the photo smaller.
Just drove for for an hour and no rattles and the car feels good. Thanks for all the replies. I may still end up getting the Megan arms for the rear.
Last edited by 02Legend; 07-20-19 at 03:40 PM.