Thread: Front sway bar ?

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Originally Posted by lt1s10

you have made up your mind about a sway bar topless, so i guess it no need to tell you this, but if you have weak springs under your car then a sway bar is not the answer. you need to pull a spring, have it tested and if its to weak for your wt. then you'd better off spending the money on HD springs. if the springs is right then you don't need a sway bar for normal driving. sway are made to work a hi speeds. you can fix it with a sway bar, but far as i'm concerned it not the right way.

I am sure the springs are OK, I am having the problem at high speed... 60 + MPH in windy conditions and on curves at high speed.

Originally Posted by topless

I am sure the springs are OK, I am having the problem at high speed... 60 + MPH in windy conditions and on curves at high speed.

i agree you need a away bar if the problem is above 60 mph. i thought i had a formula the tell you what away bar you would need, but can't seem to put my hands on it. i'll keep looking and good luck.

if you can't find one at the junk yard then you might call a hot rod shop and they can get you anythimg you want.

Too big on a front bar will make the car push (go straight when u want it to turn). Usually, a certain car had a 6 cly. engine and small bar, a small block v-8 and a middle sized bar and a big block with a large bar.

Try to get the one that best matches your combo. (A good starting place as any) I always prefered a LARGE front bar with a small rear bar to balance it out, but it is extra work over the correct front alone.

Car balance can be determined by driving up to 30 MPH or so in a vacant area, then turning sharply to observe the handling.

1. Car turns sharply, but front rolls a lot= needs a larger front bar.

2. Car tires screech, body rolls some and car goes kinda straight turning a little = too big a front bar. change to smaller or mount a small rear bar .

3. Car turns ok, body sways a little, but better overall than no bar = perfect.

These are generalizations.

The wheel rate is determined by road conditions. Flat surfaces prefer soft springs and stiff bars. Banked surfaces like stiff springs and light bars. But the wheel rate totals stay the same.

Well I found a 1" sway bar from a Metric GM front end that is just what my car needed.
The car handles much better with this sway bar, now I am considering the installation of a rear sway bar.
Thanks for all the input guys.....Karl aka "Topless"

Good to hear it worked out for you. Not too many situations that somebody on CHR hasn't allready found themselves in and can help with some suggestions. Must be why so many of us hang out here!!!!!