Sway bar removal effects on on-road handling

matwelli · Post by **matwelli** » Wed Aug 03, 2005 4:29 pm

Hi Guys,

Am considering removing the swaybars (front and rear) on the 89 Pajero.

I am interested to hear how badly the on-road performance is likely to be affected by this.

Any input from those who have done this would be apreciated

D1HARD · Post by **D1HARD** » Wed Aug 03, 2005 4:34 pm

Excuse my ignorance but why would you want to do that???? :shock:

And as for On Road performance I would imagine it would suffer dramatically.

DieselBoy · Post by **DieselBoy** » Wed Aug 03, 2005 4:43 pm

It will make it "different" to drive on the road.
I wouldn't say dangerous by any means.
What i recommend you do is just dissconnect one end of the front and one end of the rear, the see how you find it.
That way if it gives you the shits, all you gotta do is put the locating rods back in a do up the bnuts!!!

You will definatly notice HUGE gains in axle articulation off road!!!!

DaveM · Post by **DaveM** » Wed Aug 03, 2005 5:40 pm

Also notify your insurance company as they would love to use this as an excuse to refuse a claim.

Dave

NJV6 · Post by **NJV6** » Wed Aug 03, 2005 6:43 pm

I am guessing it is a coil sprung rear. I was really impressed with how mine handled on the road when i got it, it could really be thrown into corners. However after about a month and with limited front articulation anyway off came the rear one, and it's happily sitting in the shed, if I was going on a trip to Christchurch I may put it back on.

As for the front one, well the front end wouldn't hit the bump stops with it on, so I took it off also, however the 1st corner I went round scared me alot so I put it back on and will take it off for a tough trip. I've since bought a 'articulator' disconnect for it.

As for driving it on the road, if your not ready for the mid corner lurch it gives without it on, I suggest you either corner at least no faster than the posted limit or leave it on!!!

Cheers

mumad · Post by **mumad** » Wed Aug 03, 2005 6:51 pm

Removing the sway bar on my mu was the best thing ever, it still handles fine, but you just have to get used to that lurch at the start or half way round a corner, the higher the vechile the worse it is, but it dramatically improves articulation

DaveM · Post by **DaveM** » Wed Aug 03, 2005 7:43 pm

I've since bought a 'articulator' disconnect for it.

Where did you get your articulator from? I though they had stopped producing them. I don't s'pose you got the "remote" version?

Dave

NJV6 · Post by **NJV6** » Wed Aug 03, 2005 9:02 pm

You got P.M.

matwelli · Post by **matwelli** » Thu Aug 04, 2005 6:58 pm

Thanks for the input guys, have also posted this at 4x4 wire and had a similar response (the yanks seem to love the gen1/gen2 pajero's, some have removed and then put back on, others have left them off)

I guess a disconnect is the best way to go, and I hadn't thought about the insurance issue - so thanks for that.

I think I will have a trial run and report back.

albundy · Post by **albundy** » Sun Aug 07, 2005 1:51 pm

Can you pass on the Disconect contact? I tried mine off and scared the shit out of me on-road, but awesome off road! Off to Oz thursday, thought I might try and get some over there.
Albundy :wink:

matwelli · Post by **matwelli** » Mon Aug 15, 2005 11:58 am

Update - swaybar removed

Had a bit of sparetime this weekend, removed the front sway bar (as well as the running boards, front bumper and trimmed the limit stops on the front)

Did 150k's on sunday traveling on SH45 from Hawera to Rahoutu - mix of long straights and 65kph corners. No problems, the truck is a bit "soft" in the corners and with a side wind, but definately not dangerous or unsafe. The wife drove the return trip and also had no problem.

I do wounder if the effects on handling would be worse on a gen2 as opposed to my gen1 as the gen2 suspension is a bit more refined.

Off road doing some crawling around rocks, boulders etc the difference in areticulation was noticable, at one stage I had the left front wheel tucked up under the guard, and the right front on the lower limit stop, would not have been able to do that with the sway bar installed.

At this stage and on this particular truck, removing the front sway bar has not caused and bad issues.

The rear bar will have to stay on untill I get a chance to strengthen the rear control arms.