Should I remove front swaybar?
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Elder User
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 571
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Should I remove front swaybar?
Hey all. So my front tires are rubbing on my front swaybar in both directions. I'm being robbed of some turning radius because I have to avoid the rubbing for obvious reasons. If you've seen my page you know that my front wheels and tires don't really fit well because the previous owner installed Dodge wheels. The tires are 265/70/17's. I'm just looking for a temporary fix until I can afford the new wheels up front. Would taking off my front swaybar be a good temporary fix? Do I even really need it? I do haul bumper pull and gooseneck trailers. Thanks for any advice!
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 470
Likes: 0
From: Washington County, Penna
at all honestly, i couldnt begin to tell you, its a project truck that i plan on having on the road before winter, just bigger fish to fry than the sway bar right now, dont wanna waste time if i dont need to, but in all reality i fear everyone is going to tell us we do need them, as on my 97 ranger the sway bar link broke on it and my handling was horrible until i got it fixed, i imagine a bigger truck would be even worse
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Elder User
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 571
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Yeah you're probably right. I definitely understand the importance of them, but I only want to take it off temporarily until I can afford the wheels. I'm thinking about just taking it off real quick and taking it for a spin around the neighborhood to see how it feels.
FTE Legend
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 31,930
Likes: 1,499
From: Ottawa, Ontario
I'd suggest you not remove the swaybar.. especially if it has both front and rear bars.. in that case it's take both off or risk making the vehicle extremely unstable. A quick solution for the rubbing is to use wheel spacers.. I don't like these either but it's the lesser of two evils IMO.
Junior User
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 77
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From: Princeton, NJ
I wouldn't even consider intentionally driving without the sway bar. With the high center of gravity, seems like you'll find yourself in a death trap, especially if you find you have to make a quick swerve to avoid some bonehead on the road.
Space the wheels out. Those cast spacers you find in the auto parts stores frighten me. Summit has 187 spacers listed. You're sure to find something that will work.
I've been making my own out of flat aluminum stock. Keep everything round and tight toleranced and you won't have any balance problems.
Space the wheels out. Those cast spacers you find in the auto parts stores frighten me. Summit has 187 spacers listed. You're sure to find something that will work.
I've been making my own out of flat aluminum stock. Keep everything round and tight toleranced and you won't have any balance problems.
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Junior User
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 55
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I would recommend getting spacers for your wheels. The reason you rub is because the offset is too low and they are wide. I don't know if I'd recommend cutting the sway bar on a rwd car.
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Moderator
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 3,548
Likes: 71
From: Calhoun GA
I've been driving mine around for 7 years without the front swaybar and I haven't experienced any driveability issues.
I had to move my transmission cooler when I installed the intercooler and I removed the front swaybar and mounted it on the sway bar bracket.
I had to move my transmission cooler when I installed the intercooler and I removed the front swaybar and mounted it on the sway bar bracket.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 116
Likes: 2
From: Harrisburg, Oregon
Off-roaders commonly remove the sway bars to get extra articulation. The main drawback is you'll sway more in corners, and because the relative resistance to sway will be greater at the rear axle, you'll be more likely to oversteer as you approach the limit of cornering grip. That means the tail will feel looser, and on slippery surfaces you'll be more likely to fishtail or leave the road backwards. If you drive with a little more caution (as the off-roaders do) then you should be alright.
Scott
Scott
Last edited by skucera; May 23, 2010 at 12:23 PM. Reason: typo
Senior User
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 140
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From: Spokane Valley, WA
I haven't removed the sway bar on my F150 yet (other things to worry about) but it was one of the first things I did to my Bronco. No handling issues really, but, as the other's said, you'll just have to drive more cautiously. Can't turn as sharp unless you know you can handle it. I love fishtailing, back tires breaking loose and leaving rubber on the road. On the other hand, that's just me. As Skucera said, if you offroad it'll handle much better when wheeling... something I find myself doing everywhere I can.
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