If the old sway bar is still in good condition- no warping, etc. and there are new bushings in place, is there a noticeable difference between an old versus new, of course assuming both are the same size?

I have heard that there are hollow sway bars, (Do they even exist?) are they less effective than solid since they are hollow (I would think they are weaker)?

Thanks!

 

Age doesn't affect the performance of the bar. A hollow bar performs nearly the same as a solid one of the same size. Increasing the diameter of the hollow bar a couple of millimeters compensates for the difference.

 

I have heard hollow is popular with the drag racing guys who also do some strret driving. Its just free weight savings up front.

 

Both 34mm and 36mm bars hollow sway bars were supplied on our cars. You can easily verify if it is a hollow bar by the small vent hole that is either pointing up or down just beyond the flat area on the end of the bar.

Lon

 

So if one has solid 34mm front and 24mm rear sway bars but wants to shed weight, would replacing them with hollow bars of the same 34mm and 24mm sizes change handling dynamic or would it feel the same? I like how balanced my car is right now.

 

I don't remember if there are hollow rear bars. Going to a 36mm hollow front bar would be about the same. You'd notice more difference from changing the bushings.

 

So it's about 2mm of increase from solid to hollow to be the same.. I imagine nobody knows the weight savings on this but I imagine it would not really be worth the effort or money to save a few lbs since they hang pretty low anyway..

 

It's only a few pounds, but it's way out there in the front.

 

True..Do you know if the bars are sprung or unsprung weight? That could make it worth the effort..

 

Pretty much all sprung.

 

My front bar comes off when I go to the drag strip.
The 4thgen V6 bar also comes off and I put the stock WS6 rear bar back on.

I like the WS6 front bar, 4thgen V6 rear bar on the street because it doesn't "hop" sideways when I corner hard and hit some ruff pavement.

 

almost true. a 36 mm hollow front is almost as stiff as a 35 solid. 35 solid being the most stiff. I would advise to not just think if he did that then I'll get same results. sway bar choices depend on driver style, car, and other mods. I plan on a 36(1le) front and a v6 rear. but I know I might change later. there is a mathematical formula to figure the torsen differences between all. the 36 hollow, and Sam strano(sp?) 35solid are the most stiff available IIRC



Posted from Thirdgen.org App for Android

 

also, your bar can only do its job if the links and other bushings are as solid as possible. will you notice? maybe I would go with Polly for links and mounts here


Posted from Thirdgen.org App for Android

 

Ill post some food for thought here-

What is appealing about a hollow bar?.... unsprung weight

However, ask yourself if you have ever seen tubing using to make coil springs? Nope.

Why? It is not as efficient a material for memory. Solid wire/ or in this case a soild bar woks far better without failure.

it is true that bar or tube does not loose spring rate over time, HOWEVER_ what does happen is shape memory depleats faster with the tubular bar and it will start to favor the side you turn most to because it starts to bend more into that position easier than the solid bar. you buy an old hollow bar? then most likely you are bolting on unwanted x-weight into the chassis.

For its weight in comparison, the tubing is more resistant to flexing than the solid bar because the tubing has both an outside AND inside radius to act against the forces- so that resistance to flex makes it just want to bend.... perminantly