Found some sway bars that are close to fitting my F100. Since they are forged, can they be heated to a dull red and bent to fit. I'm wondering since forged axles are bent this way. I prefer doing things myself if possible. Thanks in advance.

 

Ive always wondered that myself.

 

Yep!

 

Sway bars are typically made from similar steel that springs are made of, which is higher in carbon content. For those of us of the "gray beard" age, we remember cars lowered by heating the front coil springs until they would bend. That is, in a bit different way, the same thing you would be doing with the sway bar. Because such items as springs and sway bars are heat treated to get their final spring-iness (is there such a word??) you would be upsetting the metal's grain structure at the point of the heating. The sway bar might work for a quite a while, but that spot where heated would be different .... as in weaker ..... and very would likely break at some time down the road. ......... and yes I was one of those idiot kids long ago that dropped my Pontiac with a torch!! Young and stupid ..... and of course had to replace the springs when one broke.

The thing to keep in mind is that sway bars and springs are not made of the same kind of steel as forged axles. It's all to do with the carbon content. If you can get the sway bar redone, and re-heat treated, then it can be done. A truck spring shop should be able to help you.

 

Could you bend them cold in a press? You could always find another swaybar of any confuguration and try and see what happens and let us know. I may have to do the same on my rear sway bar.

 

If they are that close, bend them in a press, cold. A light 20 ton press will do it. Don't heat them. There are aftermarket bars that are perfect, if you need them.

 

I just mounted a sway bar to my f100 a couple of weeks ago. With still having all the original suspension it made a HUGE difference in the amount of body roll. But I would highly recommend not heating it. Messing with the molecules of the metal will definitely weaken it and considering the amount of stress being delivered you want all the strength you can get. I can post pics, if you want to see how I mounted mine.

 

DO NOT TRY TO BEND THEM COLD IN A PRESS!!!!!!!!!!

I tried this on the explorer rear sway that I was going to put in my truck. I got a pretty good amount of pressure on it and it just exploded. Pieces of metal went through the door of my shop.

I wound up heating and bending it. We will see if it holds up.

 

Perfectly good reason to be dicussing things of this nature and I thank you for the heads up

 

Thanks I will continue my search for a sway bar. I know I can order one, but would prefer to find a salvage yard one that would work. Speaking of gray beards mine is well streaked. Not in a new age way either. Thanks for replies everyone.

 

dont know if it would interest you but heres what im doing . i parted a 87-88 crown vic . took the front sway bar for use on my 53 . im going to mount it backwards as to how it was on the car . the long portion of it will be mounted to my axle with the poly mounts for the frame , y bolts and some metal pads on the backside . the tabs that mounted on the a arms are going out to the frame where i'll make and weld up some tabs to bolt 'em too . how will it work ??? who knows i haven't had the time to do anything for quite awhile !!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

It will work just fine, I did exactly that on the rear of a sedan delivery, I don’t think the sway bar cares or knows if it upside down and backwards.

That’s how I know it is OK to heat them too (so far).