What is the point of sway bar disco?

[AlpineDescent]

I have used the disconnect. It is similar to the locking differentials. I would not use all 3 all the time for the sake of saying I did. The disconnect is good for when you have one wheel that is partially or fully off the ground. Locking the other wheel is medium helpful. Having both wheels on the rock/ground is more helpful. In an applicable situation, you can feel and see the vehicle articulate. There is a difference.

They have nothing to do with each other, the disco is part of the suspension, the lockers are part of the driveline.

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[GoTigersGoBronco]

They have nothing to do with each other, the disco is part of the suspension, the lockers are part of the driveline.

A locking differential and a sway bar disconnect are generally used for the same purpose. You want to transfer engine power to a wheel that has traction. I am sorry that a lack of prepositional phrase and unclear antecedent left you wondering my intent.

 

[Frankie945]

Having the front disconnected off road is night and day especially when it comes to comfort you don’t get tossed around like when it’s connected the front just soaks it all up. I also get lazy and don’t reconnect mine till I get home. It’s a pain in the ass crawling on the ground when it’s all muddy to reconnect them and you gotta be on perfect level ground. Like mentioned the bronco actually drives quite well without the front swaybar connected but when you do connect back up it brings the sport feel back then you can hit those off ramps at full speed again. Having swaybar disconnects are very beneficial.

 

[Pilsner]

You have created a vehicle with no capability for evasive maneuvers. Not smart, but it’s your life.

I'm sure that's a well researched opinion. I've removed all mine as well and it's not overly noticeable. I've been driving that way for years and I've only died twice.

 

[MarkerInbound]

Here is a video demo from the auto show.

 

[AlpineDescent]

The sway bar has nothing to do with power delivery, it only affects suspension articulation. The more one wheel lifts without the other, the more the sway bar twists and resists the height difference between the two. This is very helpful when cornering at medium speeds and above, but when rock-crawling, it drastically restricts articulation of the front suspension. The lockers lock the rotation of the two wheels on the axle together - if one turns, so does the other. "Power Transfer" is just a marketing term, it has no real engineering meaning.

 

[AlpineDescent]

I'm sure that's a well researched opinion. I've removed all mine as well and it's not overly noticeable. I've been driving that way for years and I've only died twice.

You are probably right, race cars put them on because they don't care about how much weight they add to a vehicle without any discernable benefit and auto manufacturers add them because they don't care how much money it costs them to make the vehicle.

 

[AZMikeL]

For me, this:

I've not encountered too many situations where I strictly need it for articulation / traction, but it makes roads like this (plenty of them around here) a LOT smoother. Something I appreciate now that I'm in my 50s. Being able to disconnect at the press of a button is icing on the cake, and means more fun time rather than more laying under the truck time.

 

[Paul Gagnon]

You would not want to drive above 20-30 MPH without the sway bar. It would handle like crap and roll over far to easily.

That's a myth. Cars and trucks were made without swaybars at all for decades.

 

[Pilsner]

You are probably right, race cars put them on because they don't care about how much weight they add to a vehicle without any discernable benefit and auto manufacturers add them because they don't care how much money it costs them to make the vehicle.

Did you buy a race trim that I haven't heard about? Saying "You have created a vehicle with no capability for evasive maneuvers." and "race cars put them on" are both wildly different statements and ridiculous. Are you planning on adding some spoilers or brake venting because race cars do it? There have been vehicles without sway bars on the road for years and, somehow, most of them don't immediately flip and roll as they depart the dealer's lot. You may be slightly overestimating their impact on handling. I promise you won't tip over and catch fire as soon as you remove that last end link.

 

[AlpineDescent]

Did you buy a race trim that I haven't heard about? Saying "You have created a vehicle with no capability for evasive maneuvers." and "race cars put them on" are both wildly different statements and ridiculous. Are you planning on adding some spoilers or brake venting because race cars do it? There have been vehicles without sway bars on the road for years and, somehow, most of them don't immediately flip and roll as they depart the dealer's lot. You may be slightly overestimating their impact on handling. I promise you won't tip over and catch fire as soon as you remove that last end link.

In a sudden turn, such as a child running into the street, the Bronco (or any vehicle) should lose traction between the tire and pavement and spin out before lifting the inside tires and risking a roll-over. It is certainly safer to stay on all fours than it is to roll onto the side. No, the Bronco is not a race car, but the same dynamics and principles apply. A sway bar resists body roll in a corner - period. Maybe you know better than the Ford engineers, though - I think FCA could use some of your innovative thinking, you should apply for a job with them.

 

[AlpineDescent]

That's a myth. Cars and trucks were made without swaybars at all for decades.

Are you suggesting that vehicle handling has not improved over the past several decades?

 

[Paul Gagnon]

Are you suggesting that vehicle handling has not improved over the past several decades?

Nice try.

 

[BlueBronco]

 

[Bruzer22]

Sounds like a sweet name for an off road focused night club, welcome to the Sway Bar Disco! Swingers only, stop by and articulate any time!

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