Sway Bar Advice needed

[mrmoto35]

Just got back from a nice little cruise and I am very happy with the way the car drives now. I can start braking much deeper into corners and it corners really well for not having track suspension. It doesn't look bagged and I don't need to wear a kidney belt while driving it. It will get a true test next week end when I head North. Lots of freeway and the last leg is really awesome 2-lane road over to the coast that can be taken very fast. As long as the weather is clear the only real danger is deer.

Now, the rear springs and sway bar are super easy and take 10-15 minutes.

The front springs and sway bar are the exact opposite. Just like others have said the entire sub-frame must come out to get the sway bar in. To do the springs requires removing the axle bolt and the knuckle with the strut. The strut is pressed into the knuckle so regardless of weather or not you are replacing it, it still must be removed this way. This IS NOT a driveway job.

Sorry I took these with my phone as it was getting dark

 

[passatv6af]

Are those OE springs or sport?

 

[mrmoto35]

They are OE's. The sports are to aggressive for me at my age lol

 

[mrmoto35]

Update: I put some late night freeway miles on it last night. It rides really nice on the freeway. There was no traffic and I cruised at high speed and the car ran really really smooth and tight. I was grinning ear to ear. Man it really shined on the freeway and and it shines on the surface streets too.

I could not be happier!

It handles beautifully on the surface streets. Rides very smooth. You do "feel" the uneven sections a little bit more but the feeling is welcomed, It is not uncomfortable in the least bit. It turns as fast as the tires and surface will allow and body roll is almost non-existent hard into corners.

On the freeway last night it was golden. Exactly what I had hoped for. Tight, responsive, smooooooth and an overall safer feeling

 

[passatv6af]

Update: I put some late night freeway miles on it last night. It rides really nice on the freeway. There was no traffic and I cruised at high speed and the car ran really really smooth and tight. I was grinning ear to ear. Man it really shined on the freeway and and it shines on the surface streets too.
I could not be happier!
It handles beautifully on the surface streets. Rides very smooth. You do "feel" the uneven sections a little bit more but the feeling is welcomed, It is not uncomfortable in the least bit. It turns as fast as the tires and surface will allow and body roll is almost non-existent hard into corners.
On the freeway last night it was golden. Exactly what I had hoped for. Tight, responsive, smooooooth and an overall safer feeling

Makes two of us

 

[Herkguy]

Sounds great. Have you taken any measurements after the install?
My passat on stock springs is 28" both front and rear to the wheel well arch.

Do you still get any bounce in the front at speed when hitting dips?
This is one thing that I would like to fix, it's not bad but noticeable. Just curious if front shocks are needed too.

 

[mrmoto35]

Sounds great. Have you taken any measurements after the install?
My passat on stock springs is 28" both front and rear to the wheel well arch.

Do you still get any bounce in the front at speed when hitting dips?
This is one thing that I would like to fix, it's not bad but noticeable. Just curious if front shocks are needed too.

No and I forgot to measure pre-intall too . I have not noticed any bounce in the front so far. I have a 200 mile trip in a couple days that will complete the evaluation/verification. I will try to measure them tonight

 

[mrmoto35]

I measured and from the ground to the bottom of the fender (wheel well arch) and got the following:

Rear Before 28" After 27 1/4"
Front Before 28" After 27"

 

[Herkguy]

An inch drop seems perfect, that's how they should be from factory.

Anyone know how much dealers charge for front spring installs?

 

[mplatt911]

Its been a year since this post but wanted to check in. I sold my Jetta TDI cup edition to my son and we just bought a 2013 Passat TDI SEL. Handling needs some improvement but it's my daily driver also. I live on mostly backroads , but we do take long trips. I do my share of dodging potholes and Amish buggies up here in NY. I am also thinking of H&R setup with OE springs and the largest bars. Keeping the stock shocks as car is practically new. Can anyone report back on how their setup is holding up? Thanks Mike