Should I remove sway bars? Having an issue

[Grabber12]

Ok so I bought some new sway bar end links months ago and installed them on to the Explorer. Well I just noticed that the rubber on the end links is toast already. Should I buy some better rubber ( Energy Suspension) or just remove the front sway bar? This vehicle is a DD but also my trail rig.

 

[2TimingTom]

Personally, I'd leave the front. It limits flex- but in a good way. It'll keep you from over-extending your CV joints.

Unless you can come up with limiting straps.

The rear: toss that thing.

 

[Turdle]

For a combo daily driver--trail rig you can make some quick disconnects for the rear. Use a hitch pin, a spring and some washers in place of the lower bolt. Be sure to use a backer washer on both sides of the bushing.
edit, how to thread here

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=216358&highlight=rear+sway+bar+disconnect


For the front, try to find some real rubber bushings. The poly don't seem to like off roading much, IMO they are brittle.

 

[01STrunner]

I always left the front sway bar hooked up when I was IFS. Like Tom said, it keeps you from breaking other things. I tossed the rear sway bar several years ago, but I also have an ST which is lighter in the rear, so I'm not sure how the Ex handles without it.

 

[1997XLTRollover]

I have limiting straps on mine, but there's no way I'd pull sway bars on a daily driven vehicle. Just disconnect them when you go off road. The truck will handle like complete garbage and be dangerous on the street without sway bars.

 

[explorersport24]

I removed my front sway bar (20,000 miles ago) and I dd my '01 sport. 1997XLTRollover is correct that the truck does not handle well without the sway bar. You must be very cognizant when driving corners as the body will roll quite a bit. I upgraded my shocks to Rancho rs9000XL shocks and it handles much better in the corners, but still has more body roll than before the sway bar was removed.

 

[chefduane]

Upgrade to the Energy Suspension bushings with the beefier Moog end link. Best handling mod I've ever done. And I'm sure you know this, but don't over tighten the bushings. They'll crack, split, and eventually drop out.

PS: I also did Moog sway bar bushings. The blue ones.

 

[Grabber12]

Thanks for all the ideas guys. I might just order the moog bushings and go from there. My rear sway bar seems to be good. The front was replaced with some autozone end links and like I said "they are toast" lol. Moog it is.

 

[Grabber12]

So I went to NAPA auto parts and bought new end links that's are heavy duty with blue poly bushings. It drives much better on the road, much stiffer. Not sure that's what I want off road but o well. Gotta make some disconnects.