modifications > Whiteline Rear Sway Bar
Why did you put a Whiteline rear sway bar on your RS?
Most factory stock vehicles will not have an optimal suspension for racing applications due to set criteria on NVH and cheap budgets set by the corporate bean counters. The general public doesn't want a harsh ride, yet the weekend racing enthusiast wants better handling and performance from their newly purchased vehicle. Who wants a land yacht feeling with tons of body roll while trying to negotiate an autox slalom? Not this guy.
Case in point are front & rear sway bars on the Focus RS. Although Ford had a decent setup for the RS there is always room for improvement. In steps Whiteline to make things better. Whiteline has earned a rich history of developing proven suspension components that have served motorsports participants and enthusiasts well on a worldwide scale.
I chose the Whiteline Sway Bar Kit that features Whiteline's 26mm front sway bar with 3-point adjustable provisions to suit the driver's driving preference or suspension setup, and it also includes the 22mm rear sway bar with 2-point adjustability. These sway bars will reduce body roll, and lateral loads and spread the load more evenly across the tires which will result with improved grip and better performance for those weekend track events or spirited backroad adventures. Both sway bars come with premium end links, bushings, as well as hardware to make these swaybars ready for installation.
Date Completed:
03/16/18
Materials:
- Whiteline F/R Sway Bar kit (Rallysportdirect.com)
- Sharpies to mark bolts for movement
- Permatex blue for bushing bolts
- Permatex Anti-Seize Lubricant (for end link studs)
Tools:
- 1/4" drive ratchet, 3/8" drive ratchet, various sockets (10mm, 13mm, T40)
- 18mm combination wrench + 6mm allen wrench for original end links
- 17mm combination wrench + 6mm allen wrench for new Whiteline end links
- ? mm allen wrench for Whiteline rear sway bar Lateral Locks (provided with kit)
- 3/8" Torque wrench (44 lb-ft, 76 lb-ft)
- 9,000 lb 4-post lift (optional, but highly recommended!)
*A friend for moral support is always optional. If friend isn't available Pandora will suffice.
Notes:
1. Install takes about 2-3 hours or so. I took my time because of taking pictures for this website.
2. The front sway bar swap is a royal PITA. The rear is very easy un-bolt, swap old for new.
3. Undertray removal is not required. That's a win in my book any day.
4. No wiring plugs need to be disconnected for this swap.
5. Follow along in the pictures for removal/replacement process.
6. Torque specs = 76 lb-ft for (2) end link nuts each side, 44 lb-ft for (2) sway bar bushing bolts each side.
Must use 17mm crow foot and lower torque to 71 lb-ft for end links.
7. Leftover parts = factory rear sway bar, endlinks, bushings, and heat shield/nuts.
8. Doesn't look stock! :)
9. Easily reversible back to stock.
10. Weights:
OE rear sway bar setup (including heat shield/nuts) = 10.80 lb.
Whiteline rear sway bar setup = 12.20 lb.
Total weight added = 1.40 lb.
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