SUPERFORMANCE NEWS: Product Update :: MK-III SWAY BARS

Silverback51 · #1 (**permalink**) 09-30-2010, 03:25 PM

Well being an engineer, at times we just cannot leave things alone.

As I had stated earlier, I'm extremely satisfied with the sway bar kit, but I wanted to tighten it up just a little more. Well the only place to do that was at the frame mounts. So I grabbed some aluminum 7075 and milled out some solid mounts to replace the stock ones. I also decided to add some aluminum 6061 split collars to the rear bar, and an additional set to the front bar.

Here are some pictures of what it looks like.

patrickt · #2 (**permalink**) 09-30-2010, 05:16 PM

John, that's pretty nice. Is there a bushing in there?

KevinW · #3 (**permalink**) 09-30-2010, 05:33 PM

well i'm glad someones got something useful from SPF.

I gathered together a UK group buy on fluted knobs and associated accessories with them, waiting now for almost 6 months, already paid in full. Still waiting for SPF SA to sort out suppliers.

Silverback51 · #4 (**permalink**) 10-01-2010, 04:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KevinW

well i'm glad someones got something useful from SPF.

I gathered together a UK group buy on fluted knobs and associated accessories with them, waiting now for almost 6 months, already paid in full. Still waiting for SPF SA to sort out suppliers.

The sway bars did not come from SPF.

Blas · #5 (**permalink**) 10-01-2010, 06:20 AM

Without some type of lubrication and/or a bronze bearing surface, Aren't you concerned with galling of the aluminum contact surfaces on the blocks against the power coated sway bars?
The clearances appear tight from the photos...(Beautiful Workmanship I might add). At minimum, the powder coated contact surfaces will deteriorate and increase frictional loads.
I would think you would want the rotational movement of the sway bars to transfer from one wheel to the other with minimal losses due to rotational friction. I have actually seen roller bearings used in this application to minimize the rotational frictional losses on the bars.
Just something to consider...
Blas#760

Silverback51 · #6 (**permalink**) 10-01-2010, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blas

Without some type of lubrication and/or a bronze bearing surface, Aren't you concerned with galling of the aluminum contact surfaces on the blocks against the power coated sway bars?
The clearances appear tight from the photos...(Beautiful Workmanship I might add). At minimum, the powder coated contact surfaces will deteriorate and increase frictional loads.
I would think you would want the rotational movement of the sway bars to transfer from one wheel to the other with minimal losses due to rotational friction. I have actually seen roller bearings used in this application to minimize the rotational frictional losses on the bars.
Just something to consider...
Blas#760

I have answered most of your questions over on the SCOF site in a reply to Randall.

In regard to galling, that usually happens when you have two similar materials that are riding on each other. The sway bar is steel, and the frame mounts are aluminum. The aluminum would wear, but you would not get a transfer of material (galling) since the steel is harder and not wearing.

Blas · #7 (**permalink**) 10-01-2010, 04:25 PM

I'm not on the SCOF site anymore....

Silverback51 · #8 (**permalink**) 10-01-2010, 04:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patrickt

John, that's pretty nice. Is there a bushing in there?

Since this was kind of a test, I did not bother with a bushing. I believe I will retain the solid mounts, so this winter I will remove them and machine in a slot, and hole for greasing them and call it good. I could always machine them out of bronze, but it's not worth the cost to me.