I read that as well, but I don't agree with Bill on this. The stock mounts could very well have a "spring rate" of 800lb/in, but that's when you put a direct lateral load on it. The way the sway bar sits, there isn't a large lateral force on it. The biggest lateral force comes from the torque from having the centerline of the bar offset with the centerline of the stock mounts, but that torque is small. I'm sure that the ball bearing mounts do help, but at that price, the value of the mod isnt' there and the bigger sway bar will have much more of an effect than the mounts. And at that price, the Ankeny bar starts to look much more appealing.

James Yom

 

If Guy could get the end plates er arm brackets (or whatever you want to call them) splined then I would be all over it. I don't like the fact you can't change the center section or service the mount. Or can you? I haven't seen one of his bars lately.

Yommer, I think there is a pretty decent lateral load on the bar, more than we imagine. I wasn't able to get my locating collars placed exactly, had about 1/8" gap at the bracket, and the bar clunked like crazy. I'm revising that for next year.

I'm torn between getting a set of mounts that Ankeny makes or the ones from Bill. I can see a benefit from either. For approximately the same amount of money I'm leaning toward Bill's. I've never really liked how the aftermarket D brackets fit to the stock mounts.

 

Where can I see prices and pictures of these mounts and bars?

Small fortune web site does not show any new mount just the same older design.

Thanks

 

Ankeny: https://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=691254

Gendron:

 

Thank you

Cost?

 

$250. Bill said the bearings should last about three years. After they wear out, I believe he said you can replace them with new bearings from McMaster for $27 each.

 

Who keeps their autocross car for more than three years anyway?

 

Pete, why would you want the ability to remove the center section on Ankeny's bar? I think that with 2 blade arms, that you could make it soft enuf and not have to change out the center section. I really like the Ankeny bar but it's just too much coin. Mebbe if I run into one used, I'd jump on it. But with my new center section, the only thing I'm missing are those trick blade arms.

Now that you mention it, the sway bar mounts may or may not have significant lateral loads, but combined with the poly bushings, it's prolly taking a bit of preload before the bar actually does any of the work, and with the reduced suspension travel that we're targeting in STR, I'm guessing that it's more important than I originally thought.

But looking at Gendron's design, it looks... a little too simple for $250. If the bearings cost $54 for a set, that means each bracket is ~$100. Wonder if I can get one custom fabbed for less than that, or even one made out of billet alum for lighter weight...

James

 

Regardless of if I could make it soft enough, for what it costs I want the ability to change the center. I'm also not a fan of a pillow block mount for a daily driven car. But that's just me. I like the design of the new Gendron mount but it won't work with Ankeny's bar. I stand by my previous statement that if Guy could get his bar ends splined it would be the ideal solution. At least IMO.

The thing that sucks about fab work is shop time, but it's currently cheaper than a welder and the time to learn how to use it so I'll suck it up. For now.