Just installed a Rear Sway Bar from an MDX

[clahnof5]

(Long post. Cliff notes on bottom.)

For those looking to modify their stock suspension, the rear sway bar (RSB) from an MDX with the Advance Package fits. Not looking to auto-x my Pilot, mind you, but just wanted to see if I could improve the handling (to be honest, I thought it was already pretty good, considering it's a 2+ ton, 70" tall SUV). More importantly, I just wanted to see if it could be done, and also because I love messing around with my cars. (I've swapped out the RSB on three of my last four cars.)

Parts I Ordered:
-RSB from '12 Acura MDX with Advance Package (52300-STX-A13). It has an outside diameter or 27.2 mm, whereas the stock RSB on the Pilot measures 25.4 mm. Honda's website actually states that it's 26.5 mm, but once I pulled the stock one off and measured it, it was, in fact, only 25.4. Even the stock bushing has 25.4 stamped on it. Now a 1.8 mm difference might not sound like a lot, but Acura's website states that the wall thickness of the MDX swaybar is 4.5 mm. I couldn't find definitive info as to how thick the walls are on the Pilot RSB, but I suspect it's 3.0 mm, same as the RSB on MDXs without the Advance Package. I could be way off.
-Two 27.2 mm bushings (52306-STX-A12). The stock bushings won't work, because, as I stated earlier, they're designed for a 25.4 mm RSB. I went with the OEM rubber ones. I'm sure I could find a poly bushing from an online source, but didn't want the hassle of needing to grease it and having it squeak if I didn't.
-I was able to reuse everything else, including the bushing brackets, bolts, even the end-links. I ordered from an online dealer, and everything came out to about $112. It was cool until they emailed me a week later saying UPS wanted an extra $23 ($40 total) to ship it. Ouch! I could have cancelled the order, but had already invested a week's time waiting for it (they didn't have one in stock, so they had to order it from the East Coast, or something), so I accepted the difference and patiently waited another three days for it to finally arrive.

First impression:
This RSB was huge! Like I stated earlier, I've changed out many a sway bars, but this one takes the cake. No wonder it cost $40 to ship. The box it came in measured 15 x 15 x 56! It wasn't particulary heavy, for its size, but they way it's bent, it has more of a square profile, instead of a rectangle one, if that makes any sense.

Installation:
Pretty straight forward once you remove the spare tire and take a look underneath. I was planning to take pictures to document, but it got tricky as I was working by myself. I jacked the car up and removed both rear tires. I also had to remove the mechanism that keeps the spare tire on and a bracket that sits under the RSB. In order to remove the stock RSB, I had to disconnect both exhaust mufflers from the four rubber hangers and left it drooping while I wiggled it out. Placing the sway bars side by side, there's not much of a difference. The naked eye can't really tell the difference between 1.8 mm, lol. The MDX bar felt heavier, but not by much. Wiggled the new bar into place, installed the new bushings, re-used the brackets, and tightened everything back . Let's go for a drive!

Driving Impressions:
Not much of an improvement in the city. If anything, maybe a little "busier" in the back on rougher roads, but definitely not harsh. The Pilot still drives nice and smooth. Took it up to freeway speeds and noticed an improvement in the steering response, especially when changing lanes. I wasn't driving like an idiot, so I can't comment about at-the-limits behavior. I pushed it a little, and it definitely felt better, but when I drove it like I normally do, it felt the same as before. In other words, not a whole lot of difference between the stock and MDX RSB.

Million Dollar Question:
Was it worth the $135 in parts and the two hours it took for me to install it? No. Would I do it again, knowing what I do now? Definitely. Like I stated earlier, I was looking for a slight improvement in handling (normal driving-no, pushing it a little-maybe), but was also looking to see if it could be done (yes). So, if you were also wondering if it could be done, the answer is yes. Just don't expect it to drastically change the way your Pilot handles. Questions? Comments?

Cliff notes: Ordered an RSB for the MDX with Advance Package. Installed it on the Pilot. Drove the Pilot. Didn't notice much of a difference between stock and MDX when driving the Pilot normally. Would I do it again? Yes.

[94eg!]

I gotta say that was a very good review. Usually you hear "It's night & day difference" or "Drives like it's on rails" whatever the hell those statements mean. I find there is a lot of placebo effect when people spend money to do something different. So thanks for taking an unbiased viewpoint.

Yes it's true, under normal SUV duty you won't notice much difference. Sway-bars really effect the handling of the vehicle at the limit of traction in a turn. This is where you will find the most change. A larger rear bar effectively reduces rear tire grip, which allows for less understeer or more oversteer. Of course now that cars have all their fancy computer traction systems, it can be very difficult to measure what is the result of suspension setup or computer intervention.

[xGS]

Why not try changing tires?

In the Pilot's stock size, look at the Yokohama AVID Envigor.

It came out on top in two different tests by Tire Rack:
Testing New High Performance All-Season Tires
Testing High Performance All-Season Tires

Yokohama offers a 30-day money-back trial period, so that, if you don't think the new tires make an improvement, you can get a full refund - save your current tires.

[94eg!]

Changing tires has a completely different effect on suspension vs stiffening a rear sway-bar. That's like someone saying they need more salt on their steak, and you suggesting they try fish instead.

[clahnof5]

With less than 3,000 miles on the Pilot, I'll stick with the stock tires.

On another note, I was tinkering around with an online calculator (http://www.tribology-abc.com/calculators/t14_8.htm) and:

The material that the MDX sway bar (27.2 x 4.5) is made of is 59.4% stiffer than the material the stock bar is made of, assuming it's 25.4 x 3.0. (I kept everything constant except the O.D. and I.D. and then divided the torsional stiffness of the MDX bar by the Pilot bar. Is that the correct way to determine the difference, lol...)

I wouldn't go so far as saying the MDX bar is 59.4% stiffer due to the bends and attachment points (even though they are exactly the same between the two bars), and besides, the calculator is designed for straight bars, not a bar that has been bent like that of a sway bar.

[xGS]

Originally Posted by 94eg!

Changing tires has a completely different effect on suspension vs stiffening a rear sway-bar. That's like someone saying they need more salt on their steak, and you suggesting they try fish instead.

Exactly!

As you stated, above, a larger anti-sway/roll bar will have the most effect at the limit of adhesion - which may never be reached due to intervention of the stability control system.
Unless you plan to use your Pilot for gymkhana or autocross, why bother?

OTOH, the OEM tires for the Pilot were likely chosen for a smooth ride, low noise and good fuel efficiency - as opposed to optimum handling.
Changing from a touring type tire to a higher performance type tire is apt to make a change than can be discerned in everyday driving and below the limit of ultimate grip.

So, yes, fish instead of steak - or steak instead of hamburger - might be the way to go.
Again, several tiremakers offer trial periods with full refunds so you can try their products at no risk.

[xGS]

Originally Posted by clahnof5

With less than 3,000 miles on the Pilot, I'll stick with the stock tires.

You say that you want better handling, but you don't want to try different tires.

That's like saying "I want to go running, but I only have this pair of loafers that have no support, but I won't buy running shoes because the loafers are almost brand new."

[clahnof5]

Originally Posted by xGS

You say that you want better handling, but you don't want to try different tires.

That's like saying "I want to go running, but I only have this pair of loafers that have no support, but I won't buy running shoes because the loafers are almost brand new."

Touche, xGS, lol...

However, going back to my original post, I stated that I thought the handling of the Pilot was already pretty good, for being what it is. If I thought the tires were that awful, I would probably be going that route, but for how I drive, they do fine. Besides, I quoted the Yokohama tires you mentioned and they came out to $663 with shipping, not to mention mounting and balancing costs.

Going in to this modification, I really didn't expect much from a change of 1.8 mm, especially when I originally thought the stock bar was 26.5 mm (0.7 mm difference). Even though I didn't get the "night and day difference" or "driving on rails" experience, I would probably do it again.

Using your analogy, it would be like me adding gel insoles to my loafers to make my walk in the park a little more comfortable. I have no desire to go running (street racing the Pilot), lol.

[iggibar]

Originally Posted by xGS

Why not try changing tires?

In the Pilot's stock size, look at the Yokohama AVID Envigor.

It came out on top in two different tests by Tire Rack:
Testing New High Performance All-Season Tires
Testing High Performance All-Season Tires

Yokohama offers a 30-day money-back trial period, so that, if you don't think the new tires make an improvement, you can get a full refund - save your current tires.

Those were the tires I went with on my old '07 Passat, mind you they were a different size. I had the stock Continental Conti Pro Contact tires on before, and the ENVIgors were a great upgrade! I would look at them again when the time comes, or whatever tire is the best at that time. The only problem I remember with those tires is that they like to follow those slip grooves that are created on tight freeway bends...can't remember what the actual word for it is.

[94eg!]

tramlining