Flex ?'s

[redrider11]

Ok this might sound dumb but whatever, is there any way to get more flex out of the front suspension? I've only taken my truck to a major OHV park once and it seemed like the rear sus was doing all the work is there anyway to improve the front so it flex's better? I have a 2002 4wd Edge, the bars are cranked about 1.5" and im getting ready to put the belltech 6400 lift shackles in the rear.

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

Removing the sway bar will help a bit. Other than that there just isn't much suspension travel there to flex.

 

[redrider11]

how hard is it to remove the sway bar and put it back on? Its a long drive to the park and my truck is mainly a DD so i need to keep the sway bar.

 

[Toms01PSD]

Remove the sway bar links on both sides of the lower control arms then remove two bolts from the drivers side and two bolts from the passenger side. Simple as that.

 

[redrider11]

could i drive there and take it off with a socket set or do i need to jack the truck up?

 

[Nhaz]

you'll need a jack to take the stress off the bar enough to get the bolt out.

 

[Toms01PSD]

I believe you'd be alright to drive without it actually. Quite a few people on here have taken theirs off and reported no ill effects. The only thing they advise is taking corners slower. Are you heading up to Uwharrie soon?

 

[redrider11]

thanks i might take it off for the trip but put it on when i get back. Thinkin about headin up there halloween weekend, ive got a three day weekend so might as well.

 

[Fx4wannabe01]

you'll need a jack to take the stress off the bar enough to get the bolt out.

No you don't.


I think all you'll need is a 15mm and 16mm if I recall correctly. Once the link is out, just swing the sway bar upwards and bam! done. If you think this is something you'd want to do, I suggest some sway bar disconnects. Over at Serious Explorations, there's info on sway bar discos. If they'll fit 95+ expo, they'll fit 98+ tbar rangers.

And for what it's worth, I've not had any sway bars for over 2 years. I think it rides better, though cornering sucks. I want discos. My truck's my DD so I'm pretty well used to it and I scare the hell out of people who ride shotgun if I don't warn 'em. They think they're gonna tip over. lol.. It'll take some getting used to. Having bodyroll.



It's real neato seeing one LCA drooped down and thet other LCA stuffed...

 

[Toms01PSD]

thanks i might take it off for the trip but put it on when i get back. Thinkin about headin up there halloween weekend, ive got a three day weekend so might as well.

You going to camp out or what days? I have to take my upper/lower intake manifold back off and reset the gasket. I've got an oil leak at the back. I think I can manage to get that done and maybe me and the girlfriend will come up there. I could probably get my buddy with a Sami to come to with his friends.

 

[Nhaz]

No you don't.


I think all you'll need is a 15mm and 16mm if I recall correctly. Once the link is out, just swing the sway bar upwards and bam! done.

I may be wrong on this but if your sway bar has no stress on it with the truck sitting normally then I don't think its setup right to begin with. It needs the stress to act as a sway bar. Without the stress its just a lump of steel doing nothing at all.

 

[triumphrider-1]

Sitting on level ground the sway bar isn't supposed to do anything, its when you corner that does something. I took mine off sitting in my driveway with nothing but a couple wrenches.

When I took mine off I noticed a bit of improvement of ride quality. It did suffer a good bit on the cornering, but it was expected since it is an anti-roll bar.

 

[redrider11]

well i'll need to keep mine on. I love to take corners fast Dude that pic looks sick!
I dont know for sure I have to get my parents to go with me because there always afraid i'll break something.

 

[Nhaz]

Sitting on level ground the sway bar isn't supposed to do anything, its when you corner that does something. I took mine off sitting in my driveway with nothing but a couple wrenches.

When I took mine off I noticed a bit of improvement of ride quality. It did suffer a good bit on the cornering, but it was expected since it is an anti-roll bar.

Once you start to sway some if there is no pre stress the vehicle sways until there is enough stress from the sway to stop. Which defeats the purpose of a anti sway bar. The bar has Flex if you don't take the flex of the bar out before the sway starts, the sway will flex the bar some before the bar pushes down on the other wheel.

At least thats my understanding of how it works. Ive never been able to take a anti sway bar off without letting off some of the pressure.

 

[redrider11]

I just removed the end links in my drive way and turn the sway bar up. It does give an improvement in the front sus while flexing (i tested it in my ditch) then i put the bar back on. You dont have to jack the truck up or anything you just have to crawl under the front of the truck.