Sway Bar Off?
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Corpus Christi, TX
Sway Bar Off?
I was inspecting my end links for noise/wear tonight, and on a whim, I decided to remove the whole sway bar. Well, I found the noise and wear I was looking for, but now I realize that I won't be able to wrench on the truck again until next weekend!! DOH!
Any ill effects from having the sway bar off? I took it for a spin around the block, and it rides 100% better (end links & bar bushing were tore up), and I'm really not seeing any more lean in the corners than what I'm used to.
Can anyone else see any problems with having it off??
'02 F-250 V-10
Any ill effects from having the sway bar off? I took it for a spin around the block, and it rides 100% better (end links & bar bushing were tore up), and I'm really not seeing any more lean in the corners than what I'm used to.
Can anyone else see any problems with having it off??
'02 F-250 V-10
Last edited by Munkey; Aug 5, 2006 at 01:59 AM.
Of the next Riffraff East
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 8,679
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From: Concord NC
I don't think you will have a problem. I drove mine around for 3 weeks with out a swaybar, waiting on a set of poly bushings to come in. Really didn't notice much differance in handling. And it was quieter.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Corpus Christi, TX
I think I just might leave the dang thing off unless I get into towing things, I'm really digging the cushy turns and clunk free ride!
Hmm, wonder how much this has improved on the SD's dismal articulation while off-road...looks like I gotta go 4 wheeling tomorrow to find out, thank you sway bar!!
Hmm, wonder how much this has improved on the SD's dismal articulation while off-road...looks like I gotta go 4 wheeling tomorrow to find out, thank you sway bar!!
Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2005
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What kind of noise were you getting from the links? I get a good bit of clunking sounds when turning sometimes and I can't really figure out where the noise is coming from. If removing the sway bars will alleviate this, I will take mine off too. I would like a little more affirmation that it isnt going to hurt anything first though. How much do the sway bars aid in towing? Also, is the sway bar the same as an anti-roll bar? Or are they two different things completely? Thanks
Last edited by Robert6401; Aug 7, 2006 at 08:18 AM. Reason: addition
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2006
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From: New York
From what I understand, sway/stabilizer/anti-roll bars are designed to work only when the vehicle is cornering by helping to support the weight distribution during the turn because of the torsional force of the bar. There is alot of information out there and here is a page I found explaining the roll bars:
http://www.turnfast.com/tech_handlin...antiroll.shtml
Should be no problems for everyday driving without a sway-bar. But you will tell though when you have a load in the bed and make a corner at any considerable speed, the truck will lean more towards the outside of the corner instead of staying horizontal.
http://www.turnfast.com/tech_handlin...antiroll.shtml
Should be no problems for everyday driving without a sway-bar. But you will tell though when you have a load in the bed and make a corner at any considerable speed, the truck will lean more towards the outside of the corner instead of staying horizontal.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Jul 2002
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From: Long Island USA
Which one? Front or rear? The rear, no big deal, the front will cause weird handling in low-traction situations.
For instance, for the front:
Going into a turn, without the front bar, the front end will react more than you think it should - this is called oversteer.
If we're talking about the rear, taking it off will result in understeer - meaning you have to turn the wheel more than you normally would.
If you didn't have a rear bar, and put one on, you will get oversteer.
I put a rear one in my '01 SC SB and wound up with it being balanced just right (for me).
In rain, or snow, or anything low-traction, these differences will REALLY show up.
Not a big deal, just be aware the handling characteristics have changed. Maybe not by much though
For instance, for the front:
Going into a turn, without the front bar, the front end will react more than you think it should - this is called oversteer.
If we're talking about the rear, taking it off will result in understeer - meaning you have to turn the wheel more than you normally would.
If you didn't have a rear bar, and put one on, you will get oversteer.
I put a rear one in my '01 SC SB and wound up with it being balanced just right (for me).
In rain, or snow, or anything low-traction, these differences will REALLY show up.
Not a big deal, just be aware the handling characteristics have changed. Maybe not by much though
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Fleet Mechanic
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From: Corpus Christi, TX
Robert6401,
I was hearing & feeling a clunk going over bumps right under the drivers floor board. I had replaced the link about two years ago, and they were shot again. The boots had ripped (on both upper & lower, on both sides of the truck) and they were pretty sloppy. Very easy removal and install, after you figure out how to remove the upper passenger end!
Good info on the swaybar Krewat, never knew about those loose traction conditions and the sway bar. I actually did have time to install the sway bar w/ new sway bar bushings and end links, and it rides great now w/ no clunks!
I was hearing & feeling a clunk going over bumps right under the drivers floor board. I had replaced the link about two years ago, and they were shot again. The boots had ripped (on both upper & lower, on both sides of the truck) and they were pretty sloppy. Very easy removal and install, after you figure out how to remove the upper passenger end!
Good info on the swaybar Krewat, never knew about those loose traction conditions and the sway bar. I actually did have time to install the sway bar w/ new sway bar bushings and end links, and it rides great now w/ no clunks!
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