Front Sway Bar Removed - VSC Issues

[FamilyCamper]

So I was driving on some forest roads last week and the bushings that go between the frame mounts and the front sway bar were coming loose. The passenger side actually slid out completely and the bar was knocking against the bracket on hard turns or any bump. I got frustrated with it and thought I might as well take it off as I have read many comments about this and how people are fine with performance on road and like the increased articulation off road. I ended up cutting it in half instead of properly removing the torsion bars. Bad idea yes but I was in WV several hours from home and at that point was over it.

The car is noticeably more tippy on the curvy roads but nothing too bad. Potholes and turning around speed bumps is less jarring as well. The main issue is that the VSC keeps coming on during long hard turns or even while going fast around a short corner. It must have something to do with the additional weight transfer without the sway bar. At one point it actually hit the brakes for me which I did NOT like. Most of the time it just flashes the light and beeps.

Here is a good thread on how to fix that issue but I think I am going to put one back on because I mainly drive on road and do not want to mess with the wiring at this time.

All that being said, my two cents are that if you do choose to remove the front sway bar I think the mod to turn off the VSC is necessary.

VSC OFF switch install. - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/vsc-off-switch-install.988749/

 

[Skidoo]

Whenever I look into mods that change the roll rate of our heavy Cruisers, these videos from the Mideast come to mind.
They sure make it look easy to roll them up on two wheels.

 

[2001LC]

I'd fix sway bar. I suspect mount rusted off frame. So you'll need a welder. My bet, you've other issues also!

 

[FamilyCamper]

Whenever I look into mods that change the roll rate of our heavy Cruisers, these videos from the Mideast come to mind.
They sure make it look easy to roll them up on two wheels.

This is crazy!!!

 

[FamilyCamper]

I'd fix sway bar. I suspect mount rusted off frame. So you'll need a welder. My bet, you've other issues also!

Thanks for the idea but actually they're in great shape! No the car is doing great otherwise only 139k and been kept up with maintenance it's whole life including a lot I've done myself.

 

[2001LC]

Thanks for the idea but actually they're in great shape! No the car is doing great otherwise only 139k and been kept up with maintenance it's whole life including a lot I've done myself.

Then makes no sense those bushing mounts came loose. Unless someone replaced bushing (bar to frame), without tightening the two bolts on each side. BTW: We replace those 4 bolts, every bushing R&R.

But then all needed would have been sung or replace the bolts. You actually cut the thick steel sway bar off? With what?

 

[FamilyCamper]

Then makes no sense those bushing mounts came loose. Unless someone replaced bushing (bar to frame), without tightening the two bolts on each side. BTW: We replace those 4 bolts, every bushing R&R.

But then all needed would have been sung or replace the bolts. You actually cut the thick steel sway bar off? With what?

It was an aftermarket sway bar and replaced brackets from a previous owner. The ends of the bushings cracked so they were able to slide out. Yes started with a hacksaw and then after that was harder than I thought finished it with a sawzall. The brackets were tight when I took them off but I will be putting now hardware in with the new bar. Found one from a nearby salvage yard. I should have just driven it without the bushings home and then loosened the brackets to replace bushings but live and you learn right.

 

[2001LC]

I do replace some front bars with OEM. Due to moisture held in by link cushions at eyelet of bar, some get to rusty to be worth reusing. I started coating new & used bars eyelet, with POR-15 top coat or epoxy paint. Plus a little marine grease on shaft of link.

A few years ago there was a shortage of front bars. 4 in USA. I ordered all 4 only got 3. But seem in 2022 more came into USA.

 

[FamilyCamper]

I do replace some front bars with OEM. Due to moisture held in by link cushions at eyelet of bar, some get to rusty to be worth reusing. I started coating new & used bars eyelet, with POR-15 top coat or epoxy paint. Plus a little marine grease on shaft of link.

A few years ago there was a shortage of front bars. 4 in USA. I ordered all 4 only got 3. But seem in 2022 more came into USA.

Awesome thanks for the tip. I'm planning on costing the new bar with Eastwood encapsulator and I will probably use some grease as well per your rec.