LAAllroad

18 mm PSK Sway Bar on the way ... can't wait :^)

snagitseven

I have read several posts where the 18mm bar was done successfully on the allroad. Has anyone had any issues or problems with the air suspension system after doing the upgrade? I'm about to add an allroad to our Audi stable of one 2.7T and am very happy with the 18mm bar I had installed on the sedan. Just wondering if the variable air suspension presents any challenges not found on the 2.7T standard suspension.

bluefinsashimi

Could someone inform me as to what exactly the sway bar does, and why it is worth upgrading? Still new to this, just got my ar on Sat.

MarkFank

Anti-sway bars, by design, are supposed to counteract body roll during cornering. They do this by mechanically tying the body of the car (in this case the rear suspension crossmember) to the vehicle unsprung mass (suspension). The movement in the suspension during cornering creates a "twist" in the bar. The bar reacts to this "twist" by "pulling down" on the body of the car, resulting in less body roll. The bushings only acts as a link between the bar and the body. The bar, by design, is supposed to twist and rotate in its mounts. In fact, during an impact like a speedbump where both wheels move up and down together (as opposed to during cornering where one wheel moves up as the other moves down), the bar NEEDS to rotate in its bushings or else the suspension movement will be compromised by the binding caused by the interference in the bushings.

As a general rule, a less compliant (stiffer) material = less bushing deflection = more efficient transfer of forces = sometimes better handling. The bar will still twist the same as it did before and will still "pull down" as much, but if the bushing material deflects under this load it will not transfer the "pulling down" force as quickly or efficiently as a "stiffer" bushing will to the body structure.

In summary, the anti-sway bar determines the total amount of twist. The bushing determines how fast the force is transferred to the body.

For more info check out the link below.<ul><li><a href="http://www.grassrootsmotorsports.com/swaybars.html">http://www.grassrootsmotorsports.com/swaybars.html</a</li></ul>

MarkFank

But I've only had it on for 2 weeks. I think the longest anyone has had it on the ar is about a month. I guess only time will tell.

It definately makes a difference!!!

bluefinsashimi

Thanks for the information, what should my next step be if I am interested in doing this?

LAAllroad

Then follow MarkFank's post on how to install

Part #'s

AS bar: 4B0-511-409-F $87.50 and Bushings: 4B0-511-327 $3.47 ea./ 2 req'd

Prices are approximate, as my bar was like a dollar more or so, and bushings were like 10 cents more -- don't know why, but it's still like a total of 20 or 30 bucks cheaper than the dealer so I didn't complain

Good luck!

bluefinsashimi

Thanks very much for the information. I am def going to think about doing this, i live in NYC and do a lot of on road vs off road driving, this might be a nice addition. albeit to an already perfect vehicle.

uktena

The only issue I have is; WHY IT ISN'T STOCK?....