Removing Front sway bar

red-dead15

red-dead15

New member
I was just wondering if anyone had removed their front sway bar and if so what the ride is like.

One of my sway bar links broke so i removed both and am pondering replacing them because i haven't noticed any significant increase in body roll but have noticed a much better ride.
 
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You'll notice it gone. Especially on the highway if you have to change lanes quick. But it's not super scary or anything and you get used to it pretty quick. Mines been off for nearly 2 years and no complaints. My endlinks broke too. The way I think of it, if it broke once, it's probably gonna break again unless you buy a more beefy aftermarket setup.
 
Removing front sway bar will help you get more flex but can cause less traction. The sway bar helps keep the trucks weight planted on both front tires. Since its independent suspension once you remove sway bar your weight transfers off one tire and it will just slip. Cons and pros. Mine are broke too!
 
JayRolla said:
Removing front sway bar will help you get more flex but can cause less traction. The sway bar helps keep the trucks weight planted on both front tires. Since its independent suspension once you remove sway bar your weight transfers off one tire and it will just slip. Cons and pros. Mine are broke too!
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Maybe in theory.

Without a swaybar (on trail) reduces the sometimes harsh rocking when a tire hits a step or drops into a hole. Also w/o, a tire can step up a ledge easier due to more independent suspension.

ME? I have mine connected on road and disco when off road.
 
Gerdo said:
Maybe in theory.

Without a swaybar (on trail) reduces the sometimes harsh rocking when a tire hits a step or drops into a hole. Also w/o, a tire can step up a ledge easier due to more independent suspension.

ME? I have mine connected on road and disco when off road.
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got a link to some cheap disconnects?
 
Gerdo said:
Maybe in theory.

Without a swaybar (on trail) reduces the sometimes harsh rocking when a tire hits a step or drops into a hole. Also w/o, a tire can step up a ledge easier due to more independent suspension.

ME? I have mine connected on road and disco when off road.
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Pros and Cons again. In theory yes you will loose traction. Ive actually seen and felt the difference.

Here is a link to disconnects

End Links or Quick Disconnects | WabFab Off Road
 
I run without front or rear sway-bars and I have to say that I think the ride is greatly improved. Yes with both off I have more body roll on sharp turns but I have 2.5" front kings and that helps control the body roll and I have a set of 2.5 rears and that will help too. As far as off road a swaybar simply increases your spring rate. Not helpful in the rocks. maybe in the sand of other types of terrain.

Disco's are the best of both worlds.
 
150.00 bucks a set is way to steep for me. looks like ill have to decide which way to go. i like taking corners a bit fast so ill probably keep them on.
 
You could just pull the nut and bushings off on the top of the end links when you went offroading. Never had the wab-fab ones, but my last Disconnects (Lars style) it was probably easier to just bring a 12mm socket and ratchet and take off the sway bar manually. (Just from end links, and push it up out of the way of the suspension).

I also ran my last 4Runner with no front or rear sway bar for most of the time, even with a drop bracket lift and 35's. Some may call me stupid but i just took the corners slow. I had removed the rear one because it really prevented the rear axle from moving around (IMO). I probably broke 4 front end links and snapped the frame mounting bracket 3 times, it was too much of a PIA to keep replacing those parts so I ended up taking it off.
 
Baja Runner said:
You could just pull the nut and bushings off on the top of the end links when you went offroading. Never had the wab-fab ones, but my last Disconnects (Lars style) it was probably easier to just bring a 12mm socket and ratchet and take off the sway bar manually. (Just from end links, and push it up out of the way of the suspension).

I also ran my last 4Runner with no front or rear sway bar for most of the time, even with a drop bracket lift and 35's. Some may call me stupid but i just took the corners slow. I had removed the rear one because it really prevented the rear axle from moving around (IMO). I probably broke 4 front end links and snapped the frame mounting bracket 3 times, it was too much of a PIA to keep replacing those parts so I ended up taking it off.
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Yes that is a good way also. I have broken my front links twice so its never connected, they break to easy.

Another reason no sway bars is bad because if you up on some rocks your truck can rock side to side and you can catch your body on rocks, trees or anything in the way. The sway bar helps keep your truck level when wheeling. Again not to mention better traction up front.

It all has pro's and cons. I like to have the front connected and I usually can get through anything with it connected and thats on stock suspension. It all depends on the line you take up the hill.
 
I can say from my experiences today that its not good to just remove top nut and bolt off sway bar. Tried it and mine kept hitting my lca and it actually started hacking away at the mount for my gas tank. It sounded horrible. Maybe I did it wrong but I just removed that top nut and took all the washers and bushings off. It also moved over and I wasn't able to bolt it back up correctly I actually had to remove it before I drove home. Not a good idea from my experience.
 
Tucson4runner said:
I can say from my experiences today that its not good to just remove top nut and bolt off sway bar. Tried it and mine kept hitting my lca and it actually started hacking away at the mount for my gas tank. It sounded horrible. Maybe I did it wrong but I just removed that top nut and took all the washers and bushings off. It also moved over and I wasn't able to bolt it back up correctly I actually had to remove it before I drove home. Not a good idea from my experience.
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I was talking about the fronts btw... I can see how the rear would cause some contact!
 
Tucson4runner said:
I can say from my experiences today that its not good to just remove top nut and bolt off sway bar. Tried it and mine kept hitting my lca and it actually started hacking away at the mount for my gas tank. It sounded horrible. Maybe I did it wrong but I just removed that top nut and took all the washers and bushings off. It also moved over and I wasn't able to bolt it back up correctly I actually had to remove it before I drove home. Not a good idea from my experience.
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As you found out. If you want to run without the rear bar, you have to remove the whole bar and links.

The front, you can remove one link and the other will just make the bar move without pressure, or take both links off and the bar usually just stays centered and doesn't contact anything. This is what I do.
 
I use to run without my front sway because the endlinks broke but after some evasive action during high speed, it's advisable to have it to prevent body lean during these occasions. best solution is probably discos but i wouldn't recommend removing it just because you wheel 3 times a year. safety during highway driving is more important to me.
 
I think it works best for me cuz I go out 2-3 times a month and the freeway in my town doesn't take you anywhere. Took both mine off today but haven't driven on it yet
 
I took mine off recently and I love it!! The ride is noticeably better when driving on dirt/bumpy roads at higher speeds and handling is much improved in these conditions. It was actually VERY surprising how much better the handling was...feels like a rally car! On paved surfaces, ride is also improved in terms of how bumps are soaked up.

The disadvantage is of course the extra body lean. I have upgraded OME 881 front springs/shocks and to be honest, the extra lean isn't that noticeable under normal conditions. You only really notice it under high speed maneuvers. I could see this as being a safety issue under the most extreme of conditions, but for the most part if you are a competent driver I think it's easily compensate-able.
 
My front one came off due to the usual end link breakage. Love the ride. Haven't taken the rear one off yet. I'm on stock suspension.
 
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