Difference in torsion bars (1 Viewer)

[yoter100]

What (if any) is the difference in lift height between OME and Sway Away??

 

[hoser]

No difference in lift height since the T-bar adjustment bolt determines ride height. However, the Sway Away bar has a higher spring rate.

 

[yoter100]

Ya I actually should have clarify. Should have said max lift height for each? Does a greater spring rate mean bigger lift?

 

[1loudLX]

not really on t-bars

 

[Downey]

Yoter, no a bigger diameter bar merely means the vehicle will have more lift with less pre-load on the bar. This means the bar can be in more of a relaxed position even when it is lifting your rig. And this means you get a better ride with the bigger bar because it did not have to be so tightly spring loaded to make the lift.

 

[hoser]

The max IFS lift height is not determined by diameter of the T-bar. It is determined by the extended shock length, suspension geometry, ball joints and CV angles. But, yes, if you swapped T-bars and installed the larger ones in the exact same position, indexed the same and everything, the larger bars would give you more lift. But this is not relevant. Have adjustable T-bar is almost like having height adjustable spring perches.

A T-bar is basically an uncoiled, coil spring. The larger the diameter, the higher the spring rate, the more load capacity, the "firmer" the ride.

 

[ShottsUZJ100]

Yoter, no a bigger diameter bar merely means the vehicle will have more lift with less pre-load on the bar. This means the bar can be in more of a relaxed position even when it is lifting your rig. And this means you get a better ride with the bigger bar because it did not have to be so tightly spring loaded to make the lift.

Exactly.

My SwayAWay are still good to go after 100K miles. Now, they are too expensive though. I'd snag OME's if I were you.

 

[Kanaljen]

Ok, I'll give some of you the pleassure of ridicule but I need to ask..

What is a t-bar/torsio bar. Is that the same as sway bars?

I had a torsio suspension on my '56 VW bug and I have changed and adjusted my sway bars on my track car.. so I think I know the difference, intent, etc..

On the LC, is t-bar and sway and synonymous? Or, does the t-bar have an impact on ride heigh like shocks and spring or simply linking left and right suspension togeter for less body lean?

Thanks for setting me straight!

 

[ShottsUZJ100]

Ok, I'll give some of you the pleassure of ridicule but I need to ask..

What is a t-bar/torsio bar. Is that the same as sway bars?

I had a torsio suspension on my '56 VW bug and I have changed and adjusted my sway bars on my track car.. so I think I know the difference, intent, etc..

On the LC, is t-bar and sway and synonymous? Or, does the t-bar have an impact on ride heigh like shocks and spring or simply linking left and right suspension togeter for less body lean?

Thanks for setting me straight!

There are different types of torsion bars. A sway bar is a torsion bar as well. In this case however he is aksing about the front suspension "spring" bars.

 

[Tools R Us]

Yoter, no a bigger diameter bar merely means the vehicle will have more lift with less pre-load on the bar. This means the bar can be in more of a relaxed position even when it is lifting your rig. And this means you get a better ride with the bigger bar because it did not have to be so tightly spring loaded to make the lift.

False. The load on the bar is the same no matter where it's adjusted, as long as it's not adjusted against a stop. For setup purposes a torsion bar is pretty much a straight coil spring. The above argument is equal to saying the adding a spacer/packer to the rear spring somehow changes it's load, it doesn't, just changes the position of the spring.

On most linked setups, including the a-frame front the links are most efficient when parallel with the ground. When lifted the arms angle down, this changes the efficiency, leverage on the bar, usually add harshness, etc, but the change is the same no matter the bar.

A smaller bar will be softer, more flexible, a bigger bar firmer, less flexible. Choose the bar by the weight that needs to be supported, it has little to do with lift height.

 

[Tools R Us]

...
I had a torsio suspension on my '56 VW bug and I have changed and adjusted my sway bars on my track car.. so I think I know the difference, intent, etc..
...

The torsion bars on the front of the 100 are pretty much the same as the VW setup.

 

[ShottsUZJ100]

Choose the bar by the weight that needs to be supported, it has little to do with lift height.

When I lifted my 100 back in 2001 the stock bars had sagged about an inch when the ARB bumper and winch went on. (About that)

When I added the SAW Bars the front lifted maybe 1/4" over the sagged amount. That was it. The big improvement was the front didn't go bounce bounce bounce over the bumps any more.

 

[hoser]

Kanaljen, just to clarify, the springs are the same type as your VW but swing arm rear suspension (VW) is not the same as double wishbone on a 100.

Tools R Us, nice to have you out here in the 100 section. Please tell us you are buying a 100.

 

[ShottsUZJ100]

Please tell us you are buying a 100.

When dogs fly.

 

[Tools R Us]

When I lifted my 100 back in 2001 the stock bars had sagged about an inch when the ARB bumper and winch went on. (About that)

When I added the SAW Bars the front lifted maybe 1/4" over the sagged amount. That was it. The big improvement was the front didn't go bounce bounce bounce over the bumps any more.

Exactly, choose springs by the weight that needs to be supported. In off-road racing the saying was "if your not clobbering the stops on occasion the springs are too stiff, what's the use of having long travel if your not using all of it?"

Most of the time the "bounce bounce bounce over the bumps" thing is better handled with stiffer shock valving. But in some applications there isn't much selection. Unless your saying that it was hitting the stops on each bump?

...
Tools R Us, nice to have you out here in the 100 section. Please tell us you are buying a 100.

Thanks for the welcome, but unfortunately in today's economy it's hard to justify another 5K LB pig! So just visiting, doing some research for a buddy that's having issues with his.

 

[ShottsUZJ100]

Exactly, choose springs by the weight that needs to be supported. In off-road racing the saying was "if your not clobbering the stops on occasion the springs are too stiff, what's the use of having long travel if your not using all of it?"

Most of the time the "bounce bounce bounce over the bumps" thing is better handled with stiffer shock valving. But in some applications there isn't much selection. Unless your saying that it was hitting the stops on each bump?



Thanks for the welcome, but unfortunately in today's economy it's hard to justify another 5K LB pig! So just visiting, doing some research for a buddy that's having issues with his.

Not shock valving. Weaky weaky OEM T-bars.

 

[hoser]

Springs generally support weight. Shocks dampen motion. Yes, a higher spring rate can reduce motion but it's really the shock that keep the vehicle from oscillating over and over.

 

[ShottsUZJ100]

Springs generally support weight. Shocks dampen motion. Yes, a higher spring rate can reduce motion but it's really the shock that keep the vehicle from oscillating over and over.

Wasn't in this case.

 

[jgolden]

No difference in lift height since the T-bar adjustment bolt determines ride height. However, the Sway Away bar has a higher spring rate.

Is the Sway a Way a higher spring rate from the OME Med. or Heavy?

thanks
jg

 

[hoser]

There is only one size for the OME T-bar for the gasser 100. Medium and heavy refer to the rear springs.

T-bar diameters (from a previous thread):
OEM 28.87mm
OME is 30.5mm
Sway Away 31mm
Sway Away Diesel 32mm