CK5
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Why would I take out the sway bar?
- Thread starter google
- Start date
sled_dog
1 ton status
the job of the sway bar is to keep the axle as level to the body as it can. The idea of offroad articulation is the opposite, thats why.
mr_blasto
1/2 ton status
I have a '72 that does not have a sway bar. That being said, I have some experience with sway bars on other cars.
Sway bars are very useful under cornering because it limits body roll. When going around a turn the outside suspension will compress (or bump) while the inside will want to unload (droop). A sway bar ties the sides together and resists twisting. So as the outside tires try to tuck that force is going to be distributed to the inside tires as well forcing them in the tucking direction. Simultaneously as the inside tires try to droop, that force is distributed to the outside tires resisting the tucking/compression/bumping movement. So the sway bar reduces body roll by resisting the inside tires downward movement in relation to the body, while resisting the outside tires upward movement in relation to the body. Some body roll still occurs as the sway bar twists. Want less body roll - get a sway bar that is stiffer (usually larger diameter). Anyone see where this is going?
Sway bars are designed to reduce articulation, as explained above. In desert racing, with trophy trucks and all that, body roll and high speed turns are a huge concern, so sway bars would seem very neccessary. With rock crawling, they are severly limiting.
Obviously I think I am right... but I don't have hands on experience with sway bars on a solid front axle - feel free to correct me
Sway bars are very useful under cornering because it limits body roll. When going around a turn the outside suspension will compress (or bump) while the inside will want to unload (droop). A sway bar ties the sides together and resists twisting. So as the outside tires try to tuck that force is going to be distributed to the inside tires as well forcing them in the tucking direction. Simultaneously as the inside tires try to droop, that force is distributed to the outside tires resisting the tucking/compression/bumping movement. So the sway bar reduces body roll by resisting the inside tires downward movement in relation to the body, while resisting the outside tires upward movement in relation to the body. Some body roll still occurs as the sway bar twists. Want less body roll - get a sway bar that is stiffer (usually larger diameter). Anyone see where this is going?
Sway bars are designed to reduce articulation, as explained above. In desert racing, with trophy trucks and all that, body roll and high speed turns are a huge concern, so sway bars would seem very neccessary. With rock crawling, they are severly limiting.
Obviously I think I am right... but I don't have hands on experience with sway bars on a solid front axle - feel free to correct me
Desert Rat
Fetch the comfy chair
If you do crossover steering in front, your swaybar will no longer fit. If you stay with the stock steering setup, I'd leave it on and get some quick disconnects for it if you are a rock crawling type of wheeler. If you just trail ride, I'd just leave them on.
I've left my swaybar on to help clear 37s with 2.5" lift.
That being said, eventually I may do crossover and move the axle forward with a 1" zero-rate. That will require disconnecting the swaybar, and I don't plan on shedding any tears.
I did a poll on this a while back and got a lot of response. Unfortunately when the forum was upgraded the poll disappeared, but you can see from the replies how a lot of people feel about keeping them. The poll was overwhelming for removing them. It was like 80+ for and 30+ against IIRC.
Click-->Sway-bar poll
That being said, eventually I may do crossover and move the axle forward with a 1" zero-rate. That will require disconnecting the swaybar, and I don't plan on shedding any tears.
I did a poll on this a while back and got a lot of response. Unfortunately when the forum was upgraded the poll disappeared, but you can see from the replies how a lot of people feel about keeping them. The poll was overwhelming for removing them. It was like 80+ for and 30+ against IIRC.
Click-->Sway-bar poll
RustBuket
1/2 ton status
Longer front leaves will move ur axle forward but that requires custom spring hanger mounts etc. U can also get offset zero rates to fit between the axle and the spring that move it like 1.5" or something.
I took my sway bat off of my 73 daily driver with 4" lift. this truck does not see high speeds. Only a few times have i took corners fast enough to be bothered by not having my sway bar. On the trails with 35 all terian tires i feel that my tires stay on the ground better than with the sway bars. Why would rock crawling or trail riding be better with a sway bar? I do notice when hauling heavy things that there is a difference with the sway bar gone.
ronnny said:
Sway bat?
Sorry couldn't resist.
google said:
I redrilled the spring perches and spring plates...moved my diff forward 1.25".
Rene
79chevyk10
1/2 ton status
My truck rode soo much softer with the sway bar removed. With lift springs the sway bar is misaligned and will cause binding as the suspension moves up. You can eliminate that by running ORD's quick disconnects, the disconnects links move the sway bar up.
If you take it out, don't you loose trailering ability?
I think it depends on how soft the front springs are. I'd also think there wouldn't be much reason to remove the sway bar for a Tow rig. If it sees double duty, then I'd run disconnects.
Rene
Rene
Camorokkrwlr
Registered Member
mrk5 said:
you left it on to help clear 37's?????
a sway bar does nothing but control body roll
firefighter184
Hippie Killer
Camorokkrwlr said:you left it on to help clear 37's?????
It limits articulation, therefore he doesn't run much. Although with the body damage he's been getting lately, I see a LOT of trimming in his future...
82K5_6.5L
1/2 ton status
i've got a heavy ass diesel in the k5, and w/ 35's and no sway bar for the past year, i cant even tell its not there. it helps out a ton off road, and feels like a space ship on road around fast/hard corners.. feels cool.. just take it off, u'll love it
