Would it help to WELD the factory sway bar on the weak areas?

[Pokageek]

Like where it curves up and usually breaks?
http://www.miracerros.com/mustang/sway.htm

 

[BlownFiveLiter]

I could see adding some gussets, to see if it would help, but I honestly don't see how it could be done. I pretty sure they break from the side to side movement of the rear end housing. You'd need to gusset it on the face where it bolts to the control arm, and the opposite side where the bolts go. A panhard bar setup to positively locate the rear end would probably be a better option. It would cost more though.

 

[Pokageek]

I just bought a panhard bar and a steeda rear adj sway that is supossed to be used with the factory sway. This is why I was thinking of beefing the factory sway a tad more by welding the part that usually breaks. Are you saying that it is less likely to break now that I have a panard bar I am going to install?

 

[95strokerPSU]

I don't know about welding the stock one but I just got the Steeda HD sway bar and it's a lot thicker than the stock one. No way it's going to break

 

[BlownFiveLiter]

Yes. They break when they flex. Don't mind my crude drawing I'm about to make here, but this should hopefully explain why they break:


Picture your swaybar like this, when the rear end isn't moving side to side:
|________|

When it moves, you get this, as it trys to move with the rear end housing, when the control arms flex:
\________\ or /_________/

Eventually the metal fatigues and breaks. The panhard bar will eliminate the rear end sway, so the swaybar should be safe from breakage at that point.

 

[Pokageek]

So welding may help if it makes it stronger..

 

[VIPRETR]

Welding would probably do more harm than good. The heat from the weld would take out the "temper" in the sway bar, resulting in a bent sway bar instead of a broken one. (Think of heating a coil spring to lower a vehicle) Once heat is added, it weakens the steel.

 

[Pokageek]

arg . ok. Well between the adj sway added to the mix and the panhard, I guess I should be ok. Thanks for the input.

 

[4Jenna]

Get a anti-roll bar instead, and ditch that sway bar.

http://www.baselinesuspensions.com/kits/arb1.htm

 

[Pokageek]

Umm WOW! That looks like a killer bar! Unfortunately I already bought the steeda adjustable. I got it for $119 and you add it to the existing sway. I figure the difference will be dramatic considering u keep the original sway as well.

 

[Pokageek]

Ok jegs was out of em so I bought the Steeda HD rear sway. Anyone have this an notice a difference? $$ was right.