Sway bar question

[Hood]

2nd question - In my best attempt to measure the angles of the existing sway bar, I found that there is 3 degrees of deviation at the ends of the bar. In other words, when the passenger side bar end is parallel to the ground, the drivers side is lower (we're talking maybe 2-3 mm). Is this normal and can it be countered by properly preloading the bar?? Or do I need a new bar??

First of all 2-3 mm is negligible considering ALL the components in our cars are compromises to make the series affordable (no F1 stuff here). Wirtz addressed the preload issue (use shims to make up the difference but be sure that this is measured with the drivers weight in the seat) and as far as linear vs. progressive, linear would be correct answer (think about it like a torsion bar type suspension). Also, in the equation, the assumption is made that the bar is solid (which is probably correct for the Ford bar... GM bar that I use is hollow) otherwise a wall thickness comes into the mix.

[edrock96GT]

I would agree on it being progressive. You could twist it a couple inches or so by hand but it would take more force to twist it much more.

Also, I don't think the 3 degrees of offset will be noticable as long as you don't preload the endlinks.

your reasoning for it being progresive is not sound.
a 700lb linear spring will require 700lbs to compress 1", and 1400lbs to compress 2". its still a linear spring even though it requires more force to for each inch you compress it.
i agree the swaybar is likely progressive but not much. its likely due to the angle of the lever changing as the force is applied, but the direction of the force doesnt. thus as the angle of the lever changes the distance gets shorter between the point of force to point of rotation. a shorter lever requires more force for the same given deflection.

i'm sure RP will chime in and point out my/our errors.

You are right. that is the theory I had in mind since it takes it takes a little force to move partway but more to move it further. From what I could find, that is the definition of linear, being that it required a "linear" application of more force to move it further.

Googling Hooke's law will explain it in detail.

F.Y.I...if you google "sway bar", you're going to get more than just hits about car parts :lol:

[David Love AI27]

I haven't checked but I guessing it is almost a swinger bar... not swingin' just swayin'???

[Rsmith350]

2nd question - In my best attempt to measure the angles of the existing sway bar, I found that there is 3 degrees of deviation at the ends of the bar. In other words, when the passenger side bar end is parallel to the ground, the drivers side is lower (we're talking maybe 2-3 mm). Is this normal and can it be countered by properly preloading the bar?? Or do I need a new bar??

First of all 2-3 mm is negligible considering ALL the components in our cars are compromises to make the series affordable (no F1 stuff here). Wirtz addressed the preload issue (use shims to make up the difference but be sure that this is measured with the drivers weight in the seat) and as far as linear vs. progressive, linear would be correct answer (think about it like a torsion bar type suspension). Also, in the equation, the assumption is made that the bar is solid (which is probably correct for the Ford bar... GM bar that I use is hollow) otherwise a wall thickness comes into the mix.

That's exactly what I was thinkin

[AI#97]

F'n Nerds.... :lol:

[Hood]

F'n Nerds.... :lol:

Just because you don't understand something is no reason to HATE! :lol:

[David Love AI27]

its a friggin sway bar... bigger, tighter.. smaller, looser

[GlennCMC70]

its a friggin sway bar... bigger, tighter.. smaller, looser

thats for the front.
can you do the one for the rear too? :P

[AI#97]

its a friggin sway bar... bigger, tighter.. smaller, looser

thats for the front.
can you do the one for the rear too? :P

It's opposite. Easy!

Now if you can explain how to tune the suspension on a front wheel drive car that would be great!

[GlennCMC70]

its a friggin sway bar... bigger, tighter.. smaller, looser

thats for the front.
can you do the one for the rear too? :P

It's opposite. Easy!

Now if you can explain how to tune the suspension on a front wheel drive car that would be great!

thanks David Love..... :roll: