Bent Sway Bar

[MK1_Oz]

The ends of my K-Mac sway bar appear to be bent where they bolt onto the TCA. You can see this from the attached picture;

Sway Bar3.jpg (124.94 KiB) Viewed 24500 times

The steering ball joints are screwed all the way out on the steering rack ends but the adjustable TCAs are pretty much in the narrowest position. I guess the sway bar needed the mounting holes in the TCAs to be wider apart and over the few events to car has been used at the threaded ends of the sway bar just bent under pressure?!

Is this actually an issue? I assume it would be.

Is it worth trying to get the ends straightened using a torch or would this weaken the metal too much? Is a new sway bar in my future?

I have bought some steering rack extensions that will allow me to widen the track, hopefully enough to alleviate this issue. I was going to drop the suspension to put in some stiffer springs for an event next month but it looks like the current springs will need to stay in rather than open this can of worms!! PITA

[Cam]

I had a K-Mac bar snap at that same point many years ago resulting in a destroyed car. Chuck it in the bin now! You've done to much work on that car to damage because of a crap swaybar.

[MK1_Oz]

So what brand to buy? Where from?

The event I have lined up is a few sprints around closed roads in the Port area. Only about 6km total I think. Should last for that???

[marty]

It might last another 1000km or it could break at the first corner, question is are you willing to bet your car or your health on how long it will last?

[jpayne]

Oz,
Come borrow mine for the event!
I dont think mine is bent...yet!

JP

[Danny M]

That's why you don't use those stupidly large washers they supply
Just buy another bar and use standard washers

[MK1_Oz]

What brand and supplier do you lot recommend? K-Mac doesnt seem to be a favourite on here....

[Matt1975]

I have a K-Mac bar too and the quality is terrible. Their saving grace is that they are the only one I know of that are adjustable in situ.

Whiteline bars are better quality but use washers to adjust for caster making adjustments a PITA but if you are not the one doing the alignment then it's not a problem.

Cheers,

Matt

[Danny M]

Seen too many Whitelines break the ends off. My car uses a custom 22mm Kmac

[MK1_Oz]

[Danny M]

Width, length and thickness

If the standard fits and works for you then fine
What thickness are you using

[MK1_Oz]

24mm. I only have 2-3 degrees of caster but have run out of thread on the sway bar! Might have to look at the anti-dive/sway bar clamp position. Did it take long for them to make a custom bar??

[Danny M]

Too heavy and I run 6.5-7 deg of caster

[jpayne]

Oz,
I also have a anti dive that allows forward mounting of the swaybar position going spare if you want to borrow it to try.
JP

[MK1_Oz]

Does it mount to the usual brackets? Without looking at it I reakon it would be hard to modify what I have. Will keep it in mind...cheers!

Wonder how much a custom bar from K-Mac would be....

[mickas]

$300 plus freight

[PaulMK1]

Mines also a custom K-mac (21mm from memory) but 50mm wider than standard to suit the lengthened TCAs

[MK1_Oz]

i will ring them today to discuss. need more caster adjustment (threads) and a bit wider also...