Rear Sway Bar

I don't know if the corolla bar is stiffer than the oe prius bar, but the progress bar works perfect, very easy install (replace the bolts too) no reason not to install it if you like to drive, except poverty.
no one who has installed the progress bar has ever had any complaints about it. only thing is you need better bolts, and they need to be tight.

 

The Corolla bar is half the cost of a Progress bar, and might be a nice compromise between a flimsy factory sway bar and a sporty aftermarket sway bar.

 

I love the progress rear sway-bar, to install it I used the original Prius sway-bar bolts. I installed them exactly the way they came out (Nut side up) which sounds completely wrong - you would think that they would bolt in with the nut side down -- I torqued them to 150 ft-lbs. No issues with them coming loose (I still periodically check them and haven't had any issues). I used a cheater-bar to get the 150 ft-lbs in the confined space.

For more info about a cheater bar see: Cheater bar - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

OSHA doesn't approve of them, but I used them quite frequently in the Army when torquing tank road-wheel bolts to 350+ ft-lbs. So I'd say use a cheater bar at your own risk, but if you are careful, you shouldn't have any issues for this application.

 

The Corolla bar is a solid 20mm where the Touring is a lightweight hallow 20mm. Can't speak to the rigid difference between the two but I had purchased the Corolla bar, had prepped and painted it and was about to install it but then learned about the larger 24mm Progress bar. You can see the two compared below.

Painted Corolla VS Progress Bar



OEM Touring VS Progress



Progress installed with a little sticker flair

Before and After

 

Thanks justdidit.
The point is that I don't know where to buy a Progress bar in Europe (anybody?). Shipping it from the USA would bring the total cost to over 200 USD, where the Corolla 20 mm solid bar (1.3 times more rigid than the 19 mm hollow Prius bar) would only be 1/3 of that.
So I am trying to figure out whether swopping for the 20 mm Corolla bar makes any sense.

 

i would say that yes it would help. the oe prius bar is a joke. the corolla bar appears from justdidits pictures to be much better, and I'm sure you will notice some improvement

 

You don't know whether a Corolla bar is any stiffer, but still you are sure it would help?

 

Just installed the Progress rear sway bar yesterday. It was pretty straight forward with all the instructions from the forum. I did however sprayed some PB Blast on the bolts to loosen them a bit before attempting to remove after 8 years of not being touched. Overall I am satisfied with the bar. Definitely notice the flatter cornering, but looking to add the Corolla front sway bar and strut tower to further improve the handling.

 

after looking at the pictures in justdidit's post, you can see that the oe corolla rear sway bar is in fact heavier than the oe prius bar. I don't recall seeing that set of pictures before my post stating what I didn't know at that time. the corolla bar appears to have forged ends whereas the prius bar is just welded tubing. ultimately, you must look under a euro corolla and see if the bar looks to be heavier than a euro prius. either car might be different than their US counterparts.

 

Did that: it appeared that the OEM Corolla bar I found is identical to my OEM Prius bar (same diameter, both hollow).
So I decided to buy a Progress bar.
Thanks for your posts.

 

after you get that progress bar installed, then hit a junk yard and pick up a front corolla bar.
don't forget to grab the frame brackets and bushings.

 

Is there a parts list I can follow for this? I know the RSB will be off a corolla or matrix but what years? A quick ebay search found bars that should work like this LINK or THIS but don't know what shape the RSB should look like. Hoping to find a used bar under $150. Some bars look like they have more curves than others and then one looks like it's just 2 bolts. I'm kinda lost. Also should the swar bar links be replaced while doing this as general maintenance?

 

If you read thru this thread, you will find all the part #s you need. Check out my signature hyperlink of when I did my Progress RSB but you should find the info you need in the thread. Just look for it.

 

for the rear bar, google th motorsports. they have the progress bar for 2003-6 corolla. it is less than $150. you can buy better bolts from Toyota or just use the oem bolts.

 

Was thinking of getting this off a 2007 Matrix used one from ebay from a salvage yard. Good or bad ? 03 04 05 06 07 08 Toyota Corolla Stabilizer Bar Rear 1612258 | eBay

 

Haha. These guys are like 10 minutes from my parents place - I see their cars all the time at local shows.

 

The Matrix/Corolla bar is an upgrade, but no where near the same level as the Progress rear sway bar. Look at the comparison photos I took.

The 'in-line' photos are messed up but you can see the photos as attachments here: Modding My 2008 Touring...."JustDidIt" | Page 7 | PriusChat

 

So for anyone looking to upgrade in the future...

As long as you pick up part numbers 48811-AB010 or the newer 48811-AB011 from Toyota...or save money and snag a 2002-2008 Matrix or 2002-2010 Corolla front sway bar from a junkyard...All 24mm front sway bars that will work with the 2004-2009 USDM Prius.

Rear sway bar upgrade, best options are the cheaper 24mm Rear Progress bar 62.2150 (THMotorsports.com has great pricing) or the more expensive TRD 24mm Corolla/Matrix part # PTR11-02060 (mytoyotawarehouse.com has good pricing)

 

REPOST:

The Corolla bar is a solid 20mm where the Touring is a lightweight hallow 20mm. Can't speak to the rigid difference between the two but I had purchased the Corolla bar, had prepped and painted it and was about to install it but then learned about the larger 24mm Progress bar. You can see the two compared below.

Painted Corolla VS Progress Bar



OEM Touring VS Progress



Progress installed with a little sticker flair

Before and After
[/QUOTE]

 

bad. (not really) but you want the PROGRESS REAR SWAY BAR.

the front bar is the one you want to get from a matrix or corolla.