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Permanently disconnecting the swaybar on GV

Posted: Sat Aug 23, 2008 6:37 pm
by TheOtherLeft
Has anyone permanently disconnected their swaybar on their GV?

I'm wondering if it's worth it. How much extra travel is gained when using OME suspension? Will it harm the CV joints?

How bad is the handling on-road?

Posted: Sat Aug 23, 2008 6:40 pm
by Gwagensteve
It's really going to be a personal preference thing. Take it off and take it for a drive - It's only going to take a few minutes to pull it.

It will have no effect on travel, but it will assist the car to articulate better, which will lead to a "freer" feel off road.

It will not have any measurable effect on CV joints.

Steve.

Removing Swaybars

Posted: Sat Aug 23, 2008 6:41 pm
by Impulsive
Removing the swaybar is the first thing I do with every Vitara I buy. I drive it as normally as I do any car and find it has very little effect on-road. Vitara's aren't fantastic for flex anyway, but it helps a bit off-road in any case.

They're easy to pop off. Drop it and drive for a week. If you hate it, throw it back on again.

Posted: Sat Aug 23, 2008 6:48 pm
by TheOtherLeft
Spose it's illegal too

Posted: Sat Aug 23, 2008 7:18 pm
by Bruceh
It was one of the first tings I did on my 2000 GV. Had it off for 4 years and never made a diff in the way it handled. Gave a little extra flex in front.
Yes I have been told that it is illegal but most things we do are to our 4wd. I drove normal and it was never a prob at all.

Swaybars

Posted: Sat Aug 23, 2008 9:21 pm
by Impulsive
Its illegal?

ooops

Posted: Sun Aug 24, 2008 12:05 am
by joeblow
if your 'just' using ome you should be fine. but if there is any use of coil spacers and/or strut mount flip you will have hassles with the inner drivers side, mainly because the cv will bind up before the suspension tops out. this goes for 22 spline or 26 spline.

CV's binding

Posted: Sun Aug 24, 2008 5:05 pm
by Impulsive
Might be time to get some of those diff drop brackets then....

Posted: Sun Aug 24, 2008 8:35 pm
by TheOtherLeft
joeblow wrote:if your 'just' using ome you should be fine. but if there is any use of coil spacers and/or strut mount flip you will have hassles with the inner drivers side, mainly because the cv will bind up before the suspension tops out. this goes for 22 spline or 26 spline.
I've just removed the swaybar and whilst it is noticeable on road, it's nothing major. It does feel a little more "floaty" through the corners though.

Joe - I was going to put 15mm coil spacers in the front (30mm in the rear). Should only give a 65mm lift (35mm from the OME and 30mm fron the spacers). Would this cause problems with the CVs?

Posted: Sun Aug 24, 2008 8:45 pm
by Bruceh
TheOtherLeft wrote:
joeblow wrote:if your 'just' using ome you should be fine. but if there is any use of coil spacers and/or strut mount flip you will have hassles with the inner drivers side, mainly because the cv will bind up before the suspension tops out. this goes for 22 spline or 26 spline.
I've just removed the swaybar and whilst it is noticeable on road, it's nothing major. It does feel a little more "floaty" through the corners though.

Joe - I was going to put 15mm coil spacers in the front (30mm in the rear). Should only give a 65mm lift (35mm from the OME and 30mm fron the spacers). Would this cause problems with the CVs?
At one stage I have 15mm on front and 30mm in rear without a prob at all. I ended up with custom front springs because I had a custom bullbar made and fitted a 9500 winch. So in the end I ran 50mm rear spacers and none in the front.
I ran the 15mm and 30mm with OME steup for about 2 years without a prob. Mine was also twin air locked. Never busted a CV on the track althou I did change one once only becauce it was starting to get clicky.
Hope this helps.

Posted: Mon Aug 25, 2008 11:03 am
by TheOtherLeft
Bruceh wrote:
TheOtherLeft wrote:
joeblow wrote:if your 'just' using ome you should be fine. but if there is any use of coil spacers and/or strut mount flip you will have hassles with the inner drivers side, mainly because the cv will bind up before the suspension tops out. this goes for 22 spline or 26 spline.
I've just removed the swaybar and whilst it is noticeable on road, it's nothing major. It does feel a little more "floaty" through the corners though.

Joe - I was going to put 15mm coil spacers in the front (30mm in the rear). Should only give a 65mm lift (35mm from the OME and 30mm fron the spacers). Would this cause problems with the CVs?
At one stage I have 15mm on front and 30mm in rear without a prob at all. I ended up with custom front springs because I had a custom bullbar made and fitted a 9500 winch. So in the end I ran 50mm rear spacers and none in the front.
I ran the 15mm and 30mm with OME steup for about 2 years without a prob. Mine was also twin air locked. Never busted a CV on the track althou I did change one once only becauce it was starting to get clicky.
Hope this helps.
Thanks Bruce. Was the CV getting clicky due to the lift?

Posted: Mon Aug 25, 2008 1:55 pm
by Bruceh
Mate I could not tell you really if the clicky CV was due to the lift or wear and tear from tracks. It was only clicking when turning full lock.