Reading this thread has me wondering if I should consider adding a rear sway bar. Will the bar offer any advantage to the ride and/or handling when driving on the interstate? Will it effect the ride quality? There are three (3) bars mentioned (TTR, Progress, and Eibach). Others? Which is the best? The Progress seems easy to install, what about the others? Thanks for the information.

 

A sway bar really shouldn't effect ride, handling will improve and for interstate it won't be as effected by cross winds and draft winds from other vehicles. I haven't installed mine yet, my progress bar is being shipped as we speak, but have had sway bars on other cars. They are well worth the investment in my opinion.

I think the back sway bar would be an easy install regardless of the brand, I believe they all mount the same way. Front bar is a little tricky but the stock front bar is probably fine for most usage..... (you're not racing it, right?) the front bar links on the other hand should be replaced with Moog parts when they wear out.

 

i did both bars when i had my cobalt...the (eibach) front took about half an hour to 45 mins to install with just hand tools...the (eibach) rear about 15-20mins...both really easy installs...too bad i didnt keep either of them when i sold the cobalt

 

rear bar affects slow speed action over bumps in road as the bar tends to resist the uneven movement in the rear.....makes it feel more....purpose built

 

If you click the thread in my sig, we are trying to finish up a group buy on the TTR rear sway bar.

 

Ordered the Progress bar from Aaron Sunday. He matched the price of $144.50 ($129.50 for the bar and $15.00 shipping) Both the TTR and Progress bar are made from the same material. TTR bar is 1" where the progress bar is 7/8". It would be interesting to see how the balance of the car is between both bars. There are some very good sites out there that explain sway bars. I chose the Progress to keep inline with the early Cobalt SS/SC springs and stock LS front springs. I thought the 1" bar would be to stiff for my application. Here's a link about solid vs. hollow bars http://www.whiteline.com.au/docs/bul...%20Swaybar.pdf
also this one http://www.hotchkis.net/_uploaded_fi...ons162file.pdf

 

We all thought the rear bar would be too stiff...turns out its not....I have 2 HHR's and both types of bars are used(SS -TTR...LS - Prog)...though the TTR is more suited for the SS .. thats why I have both.