disconnecting sway bar

[etlsport]

goin on my first real offroad trip tomorrow (woo hoo! PA area VXers look for the thread and come out!) and want to make my vx as capable as possible without a whole lot of modding... doing some reading i saw mention of disconnecting/removing swaybars for better articulation...

how do you do it?
is it safe/what are the ill effects?
is it worth it?

thanks vx fam!

[ZEUS]

I would recommend leaving the rear in place as there is plenty of flex back there already. The front is just a matter of removing the two nuts from the lower end of the sway bar links and tying up the sway bar out of the way. You could maybe even just disconnect one side (remove one sway bar link) and just let the other link locate sway bar. Body roll is to be expected, of course so slow down for cornering and you should be golden.

[Ascinder]

Also don't forget to reconnect it before you go back on the highway to go home.......not fun if you forget, your VX will be doing the funky chicken wobble all the way home.

[D-19]

Funky chicken wobble huh? You know i also heard that they make "Quick disconnects" for the Sway Bar, the reason i'm on tonight is i'm looking to see if they make them for specific autos or if they are universal. well anyway if you wanna see about benefits of removing them read this (http://www.offroaders.com/info/tech-corner/rti.htm) article.

[tom4bren]

Eric,

I took the other approach: Offset - Offset - Offset - Offset:)

Since mine wheel track is 16 inches wider than normal, I don't have to travel in the tire ruts. Y'all will dig through the trails this weekend. I'll just float over the top:)

[crager34]

I just disconnected my rear sway bar (both sides) and while it was on the lift, I did not get anymore droop, but it did snug more (into the wheel well). When I took it out for a little spin, I noticed very little body roll. When I tested the flex on a trail, I did get better traction on the offset rollers.

In short: I recommend disconnecting the rear sway bars. My roommate, who is the shop manager at Moab 4x4 Outpost does not recommend disconnecting the front. I don't know why exactly, but I didn't feel like he meant it would be dangerous.