The car is a Lancer of 2010, 1.5L.
Only
the rear is available by Whiteline.
The front one is not compatible with models with
electric power steering, as the 1.5L version of the Lancer.
Tire pressure is 32 psi all around.
I have installed
Koni Sport shock absorbers which have greatly improved handling, but I
would like to tune the suspension further.
I'd stay away from Whiteline's ARBs. I had them in my hands some years ago
(provided by Whiteline for testing). I wasn't impressed. Quite poor/rural build
quality, made in North Korea (yes, actually!), the centering rings being a joke,
which will likely let to issues longer term.
Best build quality is H&R (except specialty stuff like Tarett), 2nd best is Eibach.
If they don't make a front sway bar you could fit a rear one and set it to its soft
setting, but don't expect too much of a gain. I'd also do some research if Evo
ARBs do fit your Lancer.
Koni Yellows are still a great choice. I'd suggest to stiffen them just a tiny bit
to compensate for the increased total spring rate after fitting a (set of) bigger
sway bar(s). Are you on 16" or 17" tires? If you haven't yet a set of good UHP
tires would be your next worthwhile step. It perhaps doesn't make much sense
going beyond that on this car.
On my awd Golf Sportwagen, and all the MQB chasis Golfs, the preference is larger
RSB/leave the front alone to combat understeer.
Who's preference? The honest answer is forum talk. I tried virtually every imaginable
combination on both the PQ35 and MQB platforms and the above approach proved
inefficient. As a matter of fact virtually all people who promote the 'rear only' strategy
(or hype) have never ever tried stronger ARBs on both axles. That should tell you a lot.
If in doubt ask them. How many people have fitted bigger sway bars and removed the
front one? Guess nobody did that.
Please forgive me when I sound a bit rough, I don't intent to argue with you at all mate.
Maybe I have heard certain popular whisdom too often.
I run a 25mm RSB only and find it handles well across the board and certainly doesn't
oversteer at all. Body roll is reduced.
Marginally. You'd be impressed the day you have fitted a thicker sway bar on front. If
you find you car understeers too much solve the cause which is insufficient camber on
front. There's no way around that. Just remember rear camber commonly ranges from
-1°30' to -2°00' while front camber is less than -1°00', obviously resulting in understeer
(which isn't even necessarily a bad thing if not excessive). For the sake of simplification
I won't talk about the effects of toe (which is less in steady-state cornering anyway).
Because your Golf is a Sportwagen and AWD it's much more rear heavy compared to a
GTI or GLI, making the effect of a RSB likely more noticeable in a positive way.
I am now getting a larger (27mm) FSB installed during some chasis work b/c the front subframe will be out and am curious as well does this actually negate the improvements made by throwing the balance off with just a larger RSB. Many that have done just that (FSB+RSB) have not indicated so and note that the body roll is further reduced and handling is further improved.
It'll be immidiately noticeable and I'd bet you'll be pleased. Your steering will feel quicker.
I think that many people relate lowering body roll to improving handling but it's not necessarily the case.
Not necessarily, I agree. However it should be beneficial in both your case as well as in case
of inquirer's Lancer.
.