Bent Sway Bar

[DavidM]

Hi all. My rear sway bar on my 80 series has taken a large knock and has been bent upwards behind the diff. Looks like its sitting about 100mm higher in the centre.
Quenstion is, can sway bars be straightened, as its already sprung steel (I think). I have already rung around a few local wreckers and no luck finding another one.
Thanks
David

[cooki_monsta]

take it out

[DavidM]

I would, but knowing my luck I would be pulled over straight away as its one of those things thats easily noticed if removed.

[cooki_monsta]

mmm, that sucks doesnt it, i do how ever know of a few cars with them out, and wouldnt reccomend it, they are a bit boaty on the road

[anzac]

just replace it with a secondhand one.

try here, http://www.findapart.com.au/

wreckers etc from all over aus will send you quotes if they've got one.

[DavidM]

Thanks anzac. Thats what I'm looking for.

[Black Bull]

mmm, that sucks doesnt it, i do how ever know of a few cars with them out, and wouldnt reccomend it, they are a bit boaty on the road

I've got no sway bar front or rear, a 5" lift and 35's.

I can punt my 80 through corners harder than I would ever dare in my BF falcon. less body roll too than the falcon

[Team80]

some here i got 8in lift on 35in tyres say bars have been out for about 6 years and iv had no trouble at all

[DavidM]

Since there are plenty of guys out there not running sway bars, how come no one whats to sell them to me lol

[ozrunner]

You can straighten a swaybar using an oxy as long as you let it cool naturally.

[80's_delirious]

You can straighten a swaybar using an oxy as long as you let it cool naturally.

and then drop it in the bin.

I tried to straighten one years ago, it snapped like a carrot in 4 places at once the first time it was flexed up.

[crankycruiser]

Since there are plenty of guys out there not running sway bars, how come no one whats to sell them to me lol

Kings make after market HD ones.. will handle better on road, then disconnect it for off rd....

[rockcrawler31]

a new one from whiteline is about 500ish

wreckers is best bet

or a wanted add on here

a bent swaybar that has been hit with oxy? good god. It's a paperweight after that. If you anneal it (cooling it slowly) then it's no longer a spring and will simply bend. Not to mention the temper differential where the annealed bit meets the tempered spring bit. All sorts of internal stresses waiting to sh*t itself

[pinkfloyddsotm]

ill sell you mine right now, but im in perth, ill sell it cheaper than a wrecker though ,wreckers are ripoff bastards.

[VooDoo]

I only run the rear one on some Superior engineering SB extensions. Got it at a wrecker for $20 as the car didn't have any on it when i got it. MUCH better on road and with the extensions it still flex's up ok

[Team80]

if u come down dubbo way ill give ya one

[ozrunner]

You can straighten a swaybar using an oxy as long as you let it cool naturally.

and then drop it in the bin.

I tried to straighten one years ago, it snapped like a carrot in 4 places at once the first time it was flexed up.

You can bin yours if you want

I completely rebent mine in the center and at both ends to suit a custom application after speaking with engineers who make them.

No problems if you let it cool naturally and mines still perfect after many years use.

[mike_nofx]

I would, but knowing my luck I would be pulled over straight away as its one of those things thats easily noticed if removed.

Why is it easily noticed?

I had a 105 (same sway bar setup) I removed the brackets, Not just from the sway bar pin, and you would not know anything was missing.

[DavidM]

Why is it easily noticed?

I had a 105 (same sway bar setup) I removed the brackets, Not just from the sway bar pin, and you would not know anything was missing.

Meaning that it was easily visible if you were travelling in a vehicle behind me and if someone had a clue they could see it wasn't there.

I have been in luck and picked one up from the wreckers $165, still had decent bushes as well. Must be the common price for them as Sth Qld Wreckers were charging the same.

Thanks to all for your help and suggestions.
David

[KiwiBacon]

You can bin yours if you want

I completely rebent mine in the center and at both ends to suit a custom application after speaking with engineers who make them.

No problems if you let it cool naturally and mines still perfect after many years use.

That swaybar can't do much then. What you have done with the heating and slow cooling is anneal it (as mentioned earlier). This softens and weakens the metal to the point where it can bend and stay bent rather than flexing and returning to it's original shape.

While you got away with it, it's still not a good thing to do.

[mike_nofx]

I hope you get disconnects too. It's amazing how much extra flex my 105 had without the gaybars in!