IPD Sway bars

[jblackburn]

My personal recommendations for suspension improvements would go something like this order (assuming all parts are in reasonable condition and there are no glaringly worn-out pieces):

I think my priority list will be slightly different. The good tires are for sure staying on the front, as we keep getting a few inches of snow at a time dumped on us and it's winter now and I don't really have the urge to go driving like a maniac anywhere The rear ones have maybe 10-15,000 left in them, so they're not horribly beat up, but with the amount of miles I put on my car, I will probably be needing to change them sometime this summer.

This spring, I hope to change out the struts all-around with new ones - as I said I am still undecided on what kind to use. My current ones have close to 190,000 miles on them at this point, and they are getting tired. At that point, if money allows, I may spring for the IPD sway bars; I'm just trying to budget for them at this point, and if I don't have any other major expense, I now have everyone's recommendation for the go-ahead

And of course beyond that, there's the timing belt and water pump replacement looming in the future of the next year sometime.

[hrahn]

Besides, they just look and feel mean
I already had the big factory sway bars installed as my car is a T5, but these sure took it to another level.

About the wheel thing: This debate is probably as old as fwd (or "french wheel drive" as TopGear UK calls it), some say you want more thread on the front wheels for more grip in bad conditions, some (most) say you want more thread on the back wheels because these are the ones holding you in your lane.
It is correct that you can get the back out quite easily if you have bad rear tyres - remember that fwd cars have next to no weight on the back wheels, so light+slippery=baaaaaad.
Rwd cars have similar problems though, if they don't have a transaxle setup they have too much weight on the front and can't get their power on the street. People used to put sandbags in the back of the VW bug to make it driveable in winter conditions

[tbp9f]

If you're serious about adding the IPD sway bars, now would be a good time to get in on a group buy being organized at SwedeSpeed. This could save you 20% off the normal price.

http://forums.swedespeed.com/showthread ... 2898-00%29

[firestix]

Rwd cars have similar problems though, if they don't have a transaxle setup they have too much weight on the front and can't get their power on the street. People used to put sandbags in the back of the VW bug to make it driveable in winter conditions

Not sure what your talking about. VW bugs are rear engine just like my VW thing. There is plenty of weight back there. Unless your talking about the new bugs. I thought they were FWD tho. Now sand bags in the front so you could steer I would understand. At least with the Thing there is little more than the gas tank up there to put pressure on the front tires. Pretty sure its the same with the Bugs.

Sorry just had to reply to that ... i know its off topic ... Apologies.