DIY: 4WS replacement "stabilizer" bar

[JayRome]

Warning: Do this at your own risk, I will not be held liable for any damage you caused to your self or your car, thats your own damn fault!

Just for those who want to ensure the rear end of your car doesnt have slight movement after 4WS is removed...

Should cost between $50-100 pair pending on brand of links..

Should take around 2 hours or less for the mech minded people..

Have the rear end of the car jacked up and or hoisted in the air and supported accordingly. Up to you if you want to leave your wheels on, but it does make it easier to install with the wheels off..

All you need is this: Generic 4X4 Sway bar link approx 320mm long (Usually used in lift kits or bigger 4X4's) M12X1.25

take the unit apart

screw the female link end into the K frame and tighten, i'd also suggest adding a washer (dummy fit in photo)

slip in the male end into the original ball joint mount of the 4WS and mark where to cut the rod to correct length, measure 3 times cut once... or so they say....

Assemble after cutting, remembering to clean the thread before assembly. Id suggest final adjustment with the car sitting at driving height with load on all bushes (rear wheels sitting on ramps) or you might put out your alignment. Sway bar links come with Nylon lock nuts..

 

[4piknup]

Oh, I see. The whole link is threaded. Nice.

 

[evo-gsr]

Whats the advantage of removing the 4ws ?

 

[Benzo4gT]

Probably weight if I had to guess

 

[JayRome]

It depends on the driver.....

Most rip it out for weight and more then likely, its pissing out power steering fluid out the back.

I much prefer without, from driving both.. the rear end doesnt feel as happy coming around quick corner..

Although at some speeds, it did feel a lot more nimble to throw into corners..

 

[MDK87]

Looks great man!
I guess that way you don't risk stuffing up and welding it in the wrong spot.
If you used two threaded tie rod ends and welded a nut in the middle of the threaded link, you could have some finer adjustment over it too hey?
Amateur question here but aren't these things meant to take tensile forces only? Could they bend under compression (albeit a small movement)?
I like the idea.

 

[JayRome]

If you wanted fine adjustment, the threaded rod and tie rods would need apposing threads to work. Possible though..

The 12mm rods are fairly strong, enough to take a beating on a 4X4 sway bar, dont think it will bend unless a lot of force was applied..