ShooterMcGavin
New member
I want to get some quick disconnect endlinks for my sway bars. I'm curious though, what do you guys do with the sway bar when the endlinks are disconnected? I'm guessing you don't just let it hang, or maybe you do?
What do you do with the sway bar when endlinks are disconnected?
- Thread starter ShooterMcGavin
- Start date
Register to hide this ad
ShooterMcGavin
New member
I had thought of doing that, but, after flexing my suspension while installing my lift, I would advise against doing that. When flexing the suspension, the free arm of the sway bar can still get stuck against the frame and put pressure on the connected side of the suspension. It happened severely enough for me that it broke the old endlink. The end result is that one side of your suspension will get sway bar resistance at one end of the suspension travel.
Oprah
New member
I have been running with my sway bar disconnected on both sides for about a month. My front end links are completely off; they are on the rear sway bar. I haven't had any issues offroad or on road. Nothing has gotten caught on the frame or anything like that. Maybe because both sides are disconnected?
ShooterMcGavin
New member
True, I was only referring to my experience with 1 link connected and the other disconnected, specifically on the rear sway bar.
MStudt
official vendor
No you can't!
If you think about this situation it's very bad. On the front or rear if you keep one side connected that other side will move the exact same way. So if you're stuffed into the front wheel well on the passenger side the other side is doing the same (you're connected on that side). Now you're at full droop on the passenger side the other side is doing the same thing. Opps, there goes your CV!
That reason is why I always give my personal advise. I don't want to be responsible for ****ing up someons's 4runner. Just don't do it on one side. Do both sides or nothing at all.
I haven't had that issues in the front yet. The front flexes a lot more with it off. I do recommend re connecting the sway bar when traveling on the highway.
But in the rear I snapped an endlink. When one side in the rear was connected it smashed about quite a bit. Mainly on the lower trailing arm and the frame. It was highly annoying and I didn't see any extra flex.
absalom
New member
First of all, I think it goes without saying that any "advice" given on this forum is based solely on personal experience, and not some conclusive research study.
I'm not sure why we're discussing CVs; I've never disconnected my front sways while wheeling as I was under the impression they served as the downtravel limit for the CV joint.
I've disconnected my rears many, many times, on only one side, with never an issue. This was of course before I got my extended links, which reduces my need to d/c as frequently. I am having trouble envisioning the hazards you discuss. I am considering replicating the situation in my driveway tomorrow, and seeing what I come up with. I'm a visual guy, so forgive me.
So, there you have it Shooter, a classic two-sided internet debate. Please remember, I am not a trained mechanic, I simply share my experiences and allow you to draw your own conclusions. I also highly recommend folks to keep their sway bars intact for on road use, as removing them permanently tremendously impacts the safety of our trucks.
That enough of a disclaimer for you Mstudt? [emoji56]
Also, for those looking for a simple, elegant solution to the whole quick disconnect dilemma, Mstudt offers an amazing kit for a fair price, highly recommend checking it out.
BrianSD_42
New member
When I remove my links for trails that require a lot of flex I disconnect the full front link on each side and pack them up in the truck.
The sway bar stays fully attached to the Truck.
Then at the end of my trip I reattach the front sway bar extended links for city driving.
Some people think they don't need a front sway bar. You do need one. You need it for the things that can go wrong such as someone running a red light or a tire blowing at high speed. Without the front sway bar there is a higher chance you will lose control and FLIP. Also your shocks will wear out a lot faster.
The sway bar stays fully attached to the Truck.
Then at the end of my trip I reattach the front sway bar extended links for city driving.
Some people think they don't need a front sway bar. You do need one. You need it for the things that can go wrong such as someone running a red light or a tire blowing at high speed. Without the front sway bar there is a higher chance you will lose control and FLIP. Also your shocks will wear out a lot faster.
Last edited:
MStudt
official vendor
You're right. I have no idea how my links work on 4runners.
Last edited:
XxTiBEARiusxX
New member
Weird, I read a completely different response than this, but in any case, absalom said nothing of disconnecting the front sway bar, just the rear. I think you assumed the front, but I believe (within context) that everyone is talking about the rear sway bar.
MStudt
official vendor
In post #4 there were no specifics about front or rear; just stated "You can just disconnect one side, and yes; just let them dangle". While this will work for the rear it will not work for the front. This is why I gave my advise on the front.
I've seen bent sway bars in the rear from disconnecting one side. I've also seen torn CV boots, and a damaged CV from only disconnecting one side in the front. I'm just saying you wouldn't catch me doing it after seeing what could happen.
JayRolla
New member
I have ran one side connected on front for many years no issue. Per Steve at SS if you keep one side connected up front it helps keep traction on tires when flexing since it puts force on the tire when at full droop. I never lost a CV.
The rear will cause the connected side to hit the frame.
MStudt
official vendor
No going to happen to everybody, and it takes right situation. I've lost one from being connected on one side in the front, and that's why I don't run a front anymore. I've had people try to come after me for the same thing happening. If you want to do it right you should do something like this.
This is an FJ Cruiser, but you get the idea. 3rd Gen's you run the risk of doing some damage. On the 4th Gen, 5th Gen, and FJ Cruiser's you have to do this in order to disconnect the front.
JayRolla
New member
No going to happen to everybody, and it takes right situation. I've lost one from being connected on one side in the front, and that's why I don't run a front anymore. I've had people try to come after me for the same thing happening. If you want to do it right you should do something like this.
This is an FJ Cruiser, but you get the idea. 3rd Gen's you run the risk of doing some damage. On the 4th Gen, 5th Gen, and FJ Cruiser's you have to do this in order to disconnect the front.
That's a cool setup. About to install an icon extended flex setup in my brothers 4th gen. According to guys in that forum disconnecting front don't do much.
I did a little rutted section with my front connected. I have to say. Traction up front was night and day different. Connected it literally felt like an extra 1000lb on each tire as they drooped into the ruts. I might keep them connected on trail from here on out. IFS seems to work better connected.
Similar threads
