ADDCO bar is FUBAR and a FAIL - do not buy for your G1 - photo record of misfit

[(/O^O\)]

This posting is intended to be an easily found article for the community for all time. It contains photos taken by NUCLEARSYMPHONY and myself - taken at different times and for bars obtained from different retailers - but in both cases drop-shipped from ADDCO directly. ADDCO claims in their installation sheet that:...

"This bar was designed as an original equipment replacement bar (O.E.) it comes with some of the hardware required to install it,. depending on the application. If hardware is not included with the kit, the hardware from the O.E. bar must be retained and re-used."

...then later under "STEP 2: This bar may differ slightly from the O.E. bar but it was designed to fit in the same position using the O.E. and the supplied hardware."

You can see from Nuke's photo


and mine

the width difference, but that could be resolved by merely reversing the end links 'left for right'.



The bar fits between the trailing arm beams and would simply end up closer to the trailing arms using the same OEM end links because the links themselves are each offset and would provide another 2" width after the L to R switch.

The critical difference comes with the bends.

Notice that the ADDCO bar middle section bends lay on a flat plane until the "L" end which has an "S" bend in it..

Our G1 bar has 2 "S" bends at each end of its center 32" section before it turns to form the "L". These "S" bends allow it to fit up into a recess in the underside where it bolts to the forward surface of the subframe. Since the ADDCO bar cannot fit into the recess it must somehow attach to the subframe lower surface. But there are no bolt holes to attach to and ADDCO provides only 2 simple "hat" or "U" brackets like a plumbing supply shop would sell. It implies bolting to some OEM bolt which doesn't exist or dropping the subframe to fabricate 2 sets of bolt attachments, like a U-bolt style leaf spring installation. THIS IS THE CRITICAL FAIL.

I am aware that this last issue has been addressed in the case of the PROGESS bar used on ACCORD CB7 - and again involves a special bracket and bolted connection frabricated into the sub-frame.

ADDCO does not include this kind of special bracket - and it would not be called an OEM replacement if it did.

[l4zy415]

I wonder if it was meant for the 86-88 Sedan.

[sam o nela]

No it's meant for the G2...

The KA2 one bends down and goes under the spare tire well...

Sorry to hear Tinton, but at least we have proof that we shouldn't even waste our time with these people...

I hope they don't give you a hard time on the return and refund process...

[NuclearSymphony]

Thanks for the post and the sticky, I'm sorry it all turned out this way. It is astounding that even after the episode I had with this exact same bar last summer, they completely ignored the obvious problem, and still ship this G2 bar when a G1 bar is ordered. The incompetence and/or laziness there is unthinkable. I'm truly amazed they are still in business at all today.

[uniquelegend]

these business mens probaly dont know their cars or just trying to false advertise. Id press charge if they give me a hard time. Last guy i dealt with he gave me a pretty quick refund

[ManOfBusiness]

How much do you want for the bar?

[Beeze]

Just a reminder... all G1 legends have found working sway bar upgrades

89-90 sedans 20MM

86-88 sedans 16MM

all g1 coupes 20MM

[Chrispy]

That is most def a G2 bar. Interested in selling?

[94LegendaryAcuraGS]

Yes definitely a G2 bar. I have them (front & rear) on my Legend and instantly could tell it was the one for my car!