Stabiliser Bars.....Discard or Not?
Submitted: Sunday, Feb 15, 2009 at 13:48
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Willem
I shouldn't get under the wagon as invariably I will find something to repair.
Thiis time it is the rear Stabilser Bar. One link has worn out the ball 'n socket. I have been able to secure a similar Nissan part from a well-known collector of Nissan bits on the
Yorke Peninsula. Thanks Roachie !
But this got me thinking. Do I need the Stabiliser Bars? I ask this because I baulk at the price of the fix-it kit from Mr Nissan.
I do quite a bit of 'ruff stuff' 4x4 every year in to remote
places and not having the Stabiliser Bars connected may make for longer wheel travel over the bumps. Then again, the old bus might lean a bit on the smooth stuff and into corners.
Any arguments FOR or AGAINST?
Cheers
Reply By: garrycol - Sunday, Feb 15, 2009 at 14:30
Sunday, Feb 15, 2009 at 14:30
Very modern 4wds with all round independent
suspension have relatively shorter articulation and get around this is traction aids - so if you vehicle has diff locks etc leave the roll bars on - your onroad drive will be better.
However, if no traction aids why not consider dis-locating roll bars - benefits of both worlds - dislocated bars in the rough and connected on the road.
Lastly - even though you go offroad a lot - have the bars stopped you proceeding - if yes, then remove them - if not don't worry about them.
Garry
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Reply By: Member - Nick (TAS) - Sunday, Feb 15, 2009 at 14:33
Sunday, Feb 15, 2009 at 14:33
And its illegal to remove them.......but I dont spose there would be to many transport inspectors in the middle of the desert.
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Reply By: Member - Shane D (QLD) - Sunday, Feb 15, 2009 at 14:37
Sunday, Feb 15, 2009 at 14:37
I know that there would be more to gain than to lose by removing stabiliser bars on my 05 cruiser, BUT, In the unlikely event you happened to go Rs up and mister insurance assessor notices bits missing, not a happy place to be me thinks.
Having said that I've driven around with both bars (front and rear) disconnected and while there is a bit more "roll" on corners, it rides heaps better in the rough stuff.
Shane
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Reply By: guzzi - Sunday, Feb 15, 2009 at 14:47
Sunday, Feb 15, 2009 at 14:47
Fit quick disconnects on the sway bars for those times you actually get to use it off road.This will give you the best of both worlds.
Most people spend around 90% of their time on the black top, either going to and from work,school, shops and travelling to the off road spot of choice. The other 10% is using it for what it was designed for.
Having driven many thousand of KM in military Landrover 110's without swaybars, and having seen a number fall over and then driven the civy version of the same truck WITH sway bars the difference is chalk and cheese on the blacktop, off road the no sway bar offers a slight advantage.
That would be my choice.
Cheers
Pete
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Reply By: Bob of KAOS - Sunday, Feb 15, 2009 at 14:57
Sunday, Feb 15, 2009 at 14:57
Willem,
transfer them from the vehicle to the walking frame :-)
Bob
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Follow Up By: Bonz (Vic) - Thoughtfully- Sunday, Feb 15, 2009 at 18:09
Sunday, Feb 15, 2009 at 18:09
Now thats just cruel, cruel but fair!
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Follow Up By: Willem - Sunday, Feb 15, 2009 at 19:04
Sunday, Feb 15, 2009 at 19:04
Hmmmm Bob
More unsolicited medical advice?
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Reply By: OzTroopy - Sunday, Feb 15, 2009 at 15:05
Sunday, Feb 15, 2009 at 15:05
Sway bars are definitely an advantage Willem .....
Until you need
suspension articulation in the rough stuff ....
I would be looking for some nissan "quick disconnects" or get someone to fabricate them for you.
Having a look on some jeep
suspension, accessory sites might give you some ideas ...
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Reply By: Member - Kiwi Kia - Sunday, Feb 15, 2009 at 15:58
Sunday, Feb 15, 2009 at 15:58
I thought several models of the Nissan's did have factory fitted disconnects for front sway bar. If so then you can point to it being a OEM mod.
.
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Follow Up By: Bonz (Vic) - Thoughtfully- Sunday, Feb 15, 2009 at 18:09
Sunday, Feb 15, 2009 at 18:09
TI's had them for the rear ones Ray
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Follow Up By: Member - Kiwi Kia - Sunday, Feb 15, 2009 at 19:24
Sunday, Feb 15, 2009 at 19:24
Thanks Bonz, I remember seeing a lever in the cab for the disconnect but never went looking to see what it actually did. Also we probably had different models then were available in Australia.
.
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Follow Up By: Best Off Road - Sunday, Feb 15, 2009 at 21:06
Sunday, Feb 15, 2009 at 21:06
The ST in the 92 update also had them.
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Follow Up By: mechpete - Sunday, Feb 15, 2009 at 23:18
Sunday, Feb 15, 2009 at 23:18
my 88 build ST had one it was brilliant rear only
mechpete
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Follow Up By: bordertrek - Sunday, Feb 22, 2009 at 01:36
Sunday, Feb 22, 2009 at 01:36
My 89 ST has one. brilliant thing. Modified by me for the 6" lift now has 3 times the free travel when in disconnect mode and no more popped out rod ends now.
Only some GQ's in Australia had this feature and only some GU's overseas have it. Rear bar only, the disconnect was never a feature on the front on any model.
Dave
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Reply By: Michael ( Moss Vale NSW) - Sunday, Feb 15, 2009 at 17:11
Sunday, Feb 15, 2009 at 17:11
Willem!! Get out from under that Patrol. Last time you got a dose of Chinese water torture from the dripping radiator.. You must be a glutton for punishment!!! Michael
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Reply By: Trevor R (QLD) - Sunday, Feb 15, 2009 at 20:36
Sunday, Feb 15, 2009 at 20:36
I say fix em up Willem, with all the weight you carry and tow (the car mate... the car!! ;-)) ) I would think it much safer to have them working in your case.
If you don't, I have no doubt you would drive to suit so it may not matter so much but I would still fix it.
I did see a set at my B_I_L's place the other week (Port Macquarie) from his GQ, so if you want I could ask him if he wants to sell them and see what price he comes up with??? getting them too you would probably be dearer than the bars themselves?
Cheers, Trevor.
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Reply By: Member - Duncs - Sunday, Feb 15, 2009 at 20:50
Sunday, Feb 15, 2009 at 20:50
In all seriousness Willem I just did not fix mine.
I had a similar failure to yours on my GQ and when I priced the replacement bits from Mr Nissan................. well lets just say I did not fix it.
It never caused a problem, didn't even rattle.
Some one above me suggested the insurance guys may refuse to pay but if it is broken how can they say it did not happen in the accident.
Duncs
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Reply By: Willem - Sunday, Feb 15, 2009 at 22:08
Sunday, Feb 15, 2009 at 22:08
Thanks for all the comments fellas
Will leave them on for the time being, I think
Cheers
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