So here's a question: Has anybody not broken (or at least cracked) their bar? Everybody I know personally that bought one has broken it, in some cases two of them.

I bought one of the first ones, and feel bad, as it broke soon after I sold it to a buddy. In a way I'm more pissed than if it had happened to me, as now I feel I sold him a bum swaybar. I've been thinking of what solution we might, as a group, propose to Comptech.

The bars were sold under a "race only" guise, but the fact that they've all failed, in exactly the same way, proves there was a critical defect in the design and/or manufacture, which I feel precludes their warranty evasion nonsense. At this point it doesn't make sense for them to send everyone new bars that are just going to break again, and full refunds are probably out of the question. So what can they do?

For the last couple months I've been running one of Comptech's old non-adjustable "prototype" swaybars. I found it quoted at 1.25" OD with a .25" wall. I can say that on asphalt, it's just about perfect, wouldn't want to change a thing. On concrete, it's a bit lacking. With increased wall thickness (perhaps even up to the point of being 1.25" solid, like the Gendron piece) a second, "concrete", version of the bar could work quite well.

So how about we ask Comptech to get the production of their old prototype-style bar going again, and offer all those with broken adjustable bars their choice of one free "asphalt" or "concrete" bar? Either of the bars individually ought to retail for half what we all paid for our adjustable bars, but at least it'd be something.

Just a thought I had. I'm not in this for myself, other than that I'd like to see their prototype-style bar available for general sale. I'd buy one of both, which would allow me to return the bar I've been borrowing to its rightful owner. For a serious stock-class autocrosser the Gendron bar is the only thing out there right now that's even worth considering, and any market is better when there's variety and competition.

Thoughts? Those that have contacted Comptech about it, what sort of line have you been getting?

 

My understanding from Comptech was that they have a redesign in process, and even have components in hand. What that translates to in actually delivering something, I don't know. I also don't know specifics of what design changes were made as far as material or dimensions.

-Andy

 

I ran a prototype 1.25" solid bar at Homestead Sunday. Between that and the new set of Kumho's the car was perfect! The balance was right on!

This bar should be available in the low 200 dollar range soon.

Scott

 

OK, talked to Mike at Comptech to make sure I wasn't talking out of my ass (a frequent problem).

Some features of the replacement bar are...

1. Heat treated chro-moly (should be stronger and take more duty cycles)
2. Thicker bar - middle adjustment point should be around stiffest point of previous bar, and stronger
3. Bigger adjustment bolt


He said they were still working on putting the new bars together, but were hoping to be sending them out to those that need replacments in the next few weeks. The key point here was that they would be replacing bars for those who have broken them, NOT a wholesale recall.

In Comptech's defense, they did have Ron Bauer and Annie Gill running the bar alot last year with no problems. I guess those of us breaking them are a bunch of overdriving maniacs and we need to take an Evolution school with Ron.

-Andy

 

We have two of these bars in this area (Rochester, NY) and, while we're not hitting every high-traction site in the country, we haven't found a problem (yet). I've been following this thread closely and am ignoring what's going on. Just wanted to let you know that not all bars have failed (mine's been on hole #5 for 6 months worth of street driving and autocrossing)...

 

Andy - are you going to go back to the new Comptech bar? Is it going to be stiffer than the Gendron bar?

Thanks,

Martin

 

Doing paper calcs on the original bar, I had thought that with the 2 bolts in it the Comptech should have been in the neighborhood of the Gendron 1.25" solid. If the new Comptech is even stiffer it should be plenty stiff on the upper end, but have the ability to adjust much softer than the Gendron. I'll certainly try out the Comptech replacement when it comes.

-Andy

 

Has anyone received the updated bar yet?

I've talked to Comptech a few times but as of yet haven't received word as to whether or not the new bar is in production shipping or what.

Any news?

 

I spoke with Mike B. last week and they do have part in hand and should be shipping shortly, probably this coming week. However, there was some confusion over people shipping back just bar or complete kits (with brackets, bushings, etc). If you have shipped a bar back, I'd encourage you to talk to Mike and make sure your personal details are ironed out.

-Andy

 

Thanks Andy. I'll follow up with Mike Monday.