Opinions on Whiteline

[ar44]

So I'm considering getting a few bits and pieces from the Whiteline catalogue, specifically at the moment sway bars. In the past I strayed away from Whiteline and opted for Japanese brands. I've forever been of the opinion they aren't comparable to their foreign competitors, mainly because I wouldn't think the R&D and testing would be of the same level. The finish product doesn't seem as polished. But this is just my speculation.

Okay so what are you opinions/experiences?

[10d]

So I'm considering getting a few bits and pieces from the Whiteline catalogue, specifically at the moment sway bars. In the past I strayed away from Whiteline and opted for Japanese brands. I've forever been of the opinion they aren't comparable to their foreign competitors, mainly because I wouldn't think the R&D and testing would be of the same level. The finish product doesn't seem as polished. But this is just my speculation.

Okay so what are you opinions/experiences?
Actually Ian from Rennenhaus did a lot of testing for Whiteline on his R32.

[zz2]

whiteline are good value but their products are flawed IMO.

firstly their rear sway bars dont have any thing to prevent sideways movement and as a result they move around alot! i had my suspension shop try and fix this by putting extra clamps on either side of the bushings but they still move around a bit.

also they supply pretty average bushes, i upgraded mine as they used to require re-greasing every few months.. the groaning over bumps would piss me off that much.

if i bought a RSB again i would spend the extra $$ and go the neuspeed bar. it has a propper metal ring to stop sideways movement and it also comes with noiseless teflon bushes

[10d]

whiteline are good value but their products are flawed IMO.

firstly their rear sway bars dont have any thing to prevent sideways movement and as a result they move around alot! i had my suspension shop try and fix this by putting extra clamps on either side of the bushings but they still move around a bit.

also they supply pretty average bushes, i upgraded mine as they used to require re-greasing every few months.. the groaning over bumps would piss me off that much.

if i bought a RSB again i would spend the extra $$ and go the neuspeed bar. it has a propper metal ring to stop sideways movement and it also comes with noiseless teflon bushes

Had the same problem with the FSB. The new version will have some metal rings to prevent the sideways movement. Also there is talk about a proper billet bracket to replace the dodgy OEM ones

[Frenchie]

I have never used Whiteline though originally I ordered a set of F&R sway bars but found out how cheap H&R were at that same time, so cancelled my order and went for the German stuff.

Though if budget is an issue - they are great for your $$

[bigwill]

I have never used Whiteline though originally I ordered a set of F&R sway bars but found out how cheap H&R were at that same time, so cancelled my order and went for the German stuff.

Though if budget is an issue - they are great for your $$

the price difference isnt such a big gap so i will definitely be looking in H&R sways when the time comes unless whiteline brings out their redesigned ones. They also said they were bring a front sway bar but I have not heard anything about it and its been over 7 months?

[Frenchie]

Stick with H&R Bigwilly - no maintenance and German made

[bigwill]

yeah i due time!
how are ur H&R going? noticed a dramatic change?

[G-rig]

Better off spending a bit more and getting H&R, made in Germany and no noise issues.

Whiteline are cheap and good value but may annoy you in the end like the thread on Mkv where everyone was complaining.

[bigwill]

apparently u can use OEM bushings on the whiteline and the noise disappears?

[Justin Fox]

I chime in whenever I can against Whiteline as they were no help at all to me. I wanted to take them to court for not refunding my money and taking back their crap products.

I purchased the complete Whiteline handling kit as it seemed like everyone on the Skyline's Australia Forum had nothing but praise for it (mainly because one respectable guy on there pushes Whiteline hard). This was before I was into JDM style and tuning. I had Powerplay fit the kit and they complained that nothing fit. The rear sway bar had to be hammered into place and even then they got me under the car and showed me how the design was flawed by flexing it in front of my eyes.

What's worse was that the car went from something mushy (old stock suspension) to the crashiest ride I've ever felt (even worse than my slammed ED Civic on race suspension). Every pot hole literally unsettled the car so bad that at speed I was bouncing off the road. Dangerous? Definitely. Far from drivable on the street. What was even worse was that it was too soft for the track!!! I made sure I had a few mates in the know drive it and yes, they all reported the exact same thing, that there was definitely something "wrong" with my suspension, most likely that the dampers and the springs did not match.

I had enough of complaining to them over the phone so I drove out to Minto and demanded to speak to someone high up. They brought out Wojtek (spelling?) their head of design, the guy who designed the kit for the GT-R (he drove a Honda Civic EK at the time). He took my car for a spin around his "test track" and when he came back in he had a big smile on his face. He then said "Geez that's a powerful car". I wasn't impressed so I asked him about the crashy ride. He said, nope, it feels fine to me!

Grrrrrrrrr. No refund, nothing I could do.

I ripped it all out, sold it all to some other poor bugger on SAU and I whacked in some Tein RA's and Cusco swaybars and damn the minute I drove out of Heasmans I felt a WORLD of difference on and off the road on the circuit. End of the day I don't care how cheap Whiteline gear is. I'll never buy it again, or recommend it again to anyone.

PS: Would you believe that their engineering department created this:

http://www.gstmotorsports.com/store/images/whiteline%20rear%20strut%20bar%20qr.jpg

Yeah that's right. It's a strut brace with a bicycle style quick release mechanism, often found on bicycle wheels. The quick release skewer allows you to quickly remove bicycle wheels when you get a flat, in this case it lets you quickly release your strut brace. Would I use this quick release system on my performance car? HELL NO!!! Nice R&D Whiteline!

[G-rig]

Maybe, not sure about it.
are the whitelines just as thick/big etc?

[Frenchie]

?? not sure Bigwilly

Personaly big difference - can not believe its taking me that long to put them in !

Wow Justin that was a bad experience, glad to see no harm eventuated from Whiteline gear.

[zz2]

apparently u can use OEM bushings on the whiteline and the noise disappears?

ive tried. the bars are different diameters :(

[Big Yellow]

ive tried. the bars are different diameters :(

Not if u use the 22mm bar. Bazzle uses the 22mm with oem bushings on his r32

[Tinto]

Actually Ian from Rennenhaus did a lot of testing for Whiteline on his R32.

Sounds like most customers do the same, based on responses in this thread!
It is a shame - I'd like to support an Australian company.

[G-rig]

a 22mm bar wont be much bigger than stock will it? The H&R are 24mm/26mm?

[Justin Fox]

Remember it's not just about thickness. A lot of aftermarket bars are adjustable front and back. I just bought some for my V35 Skyline and they have 4 holes on either side for front, 3 on rears to adjust just how stiff I want them to be:

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4015/4320968013_4fa944be1a_o.jpg
Old vs. New.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4046/4310073491_e9fc3b2591_o.jpg
Lots of easy adjustability.

[Big Yellow]

a 22mm bar wont be much bigger than stock will it? The H&R are 24mm/26mm?
Stock is 22mm as well, but its hollow remember! No where near as stiff as a solid bar!

[zz2]

Sounds like most customers do the same, based on responses in this thread!
It is a shame - I'd like to support an Australian company.

companies like whiteline should of gone out ot business years ago. all the suspension shops i have spoken to hate dealing with them because theyre so disorganised and rush products out without propper testing. theyre also lazy with shipping and often send the wrong parts!

another thing about whiteline is since they merged with Red Ranger they have moved all their production to china so you're not really supporting australia anyway

[Tinto]

another thing about whiteline is since they merged with Red Ranger they have moved all their production to china so you're not really supporting australia anyway

I can relate with the desire to wanting to offshore. Don't really like it, but I understand it.
HR costs (and subsequent expectations) in this country are not good.

[Justin Fox]

Maybe getting their gear made in China will increase their quality control?! I think so!

PS: It's not just reputable suspension places that keep knocking their products (and poor fitment of them). Don't forget the hundreds of poor mechanics at numerous workshops all over the globe that hate installing their stuff!!!

*OK enough Whiteline bashing from me I'm out*

[ar44]

Seems as though a lot people share the same opinion on Whiteline. Im sure with more testing, their products would be significantly better, but talk of moving operations to China is probably a step backwards.

So H&R is the way to go? I guess you get what you pay for..

[G-rig]

People with jap cars seem to like whiteline but then again they aren't a fussy bunch like euro owners.

[zz2]

People with jap cars seem to like whiteline but then again they aren't a fussy bunch like euro owners.

they dont seem to suffer from the same issues that we do. my mates run whiteline in their sprinters, skylines and silvias and they have had no issues with their gear. remember whiteline really started with jap and aussie cars. also all the imports have been around for ages which = more time for testing

[AP]

I am running everything from Ian and my car feels unreal...

[burgs]

I ran whiteline gear on my wrx and couldnt fault them, they car drove great and didnt have the noises and creaks alot of people experiance.

[G-rig]

they dont seem to suffer from the same issues that we do. my mates run whiteline in their sprinters, skylines and silvias and they have had no issues with their gear. remember whiteline really started with jap and aussie cars. also all the imports have been around for ages which = more time for testing

That's what i thought, at mate of mine has some whiteline gear on his R32 skyline and was just saying the sound thing seemed like BS.. But obviously euro mods are a bit behind and/or they haven't put enough testing into it.. People may not be installing them properly either but you can weld parts that cause trouble anyway.

[Jig]

I have H&R Sways and they do a perfect job in eliminating body roll and precise steering turns. It worked from day one and have had zero issues with NVH.

[G-rig]

Agree Jig, worth thr bit extra.