Internal sway bar... stupid or possible?

[Panelfantastic]

My bus has coilovers up front. That handles the suspension. I still have a few (3) leaves in each torsion tube to connect the control arms to.
My idea is this, Take out the leaves and replace them with some solid round stock. Don't use the anchor point in the center of the beam but allow the bar in each tube to twist against the other side in cornering... this is basically what a sway bar does. I could even devise a way to preload the bar but don't think it would even be necessary.
Thoughts?



Jeff-

[petevw]

Would work. I believe thats what they use on the rear axles of the ION/Pursuit/Cobalt. Saw a show where they machined out the sway bar and replaced it by welding in a 3/4 piece of round stock. Weld both end it place with no preload, and you should be fine. I say go for it!

[ricola]

That's how the type 3 anti-roll bar works, I have no idea but maybe it could be adapted for you?

Rich

[kleinporsche]

Panel, If I read you correctly, this system already exists. Red9design makes a coilover suspension with through-rods in the front beam. You could also buy those rods at prowlers.com for 55$.

[Panelfantastic]

Thanks for the replies, guys!

Pete, I've been checking that show out also!

Rich, I'll prolly start from scratch since I've got a narrowed beam and am about to do some heavy fabricating on my lower control arms anyway.

Kleinporsche, I had seen the Red9 stuff but it looked like their through rods were kinda small? I'm gonna try to cram as big a piece of round bar through there as I can, with the weight of a bus and all.


Jeff-

[PJL54Oval]

Would the rod need to be tempered or made from "sping" steel? I would think a shop that can make coils could fab up the rod.