Front Sway Bar

I know it’s prob been asked a bunch but I’m thinking about removing it. Tires don’t rub unless I’m full left or right in a decline. So I’m worried when I add my bumper that it’ll cause it to drop and start rubbing all of the time. What’re y’all’s thoughts? This is my daily driver but I also off-road in it. No rock crawling or anything crazy.

 

What’s your suspension, tires, and wheel setup?

 

Bilstein TRD PRO suspension & wheels, 285/75/18.

 

What bumper are you putting on?

 

C4 Fab Overland

 

I have the same suspension and TRD Pro wheels, but Cooper 295/70s. I think the 285/75s have a little more diameter but less width, so I'm surprised about the rubbing. My tires barely rub if any on full turns but it's not anything to worry about, especially on the solid TRD sway bar. If the extra bumper weight causing the front to drop a little is a concern, you could always add a CB 0.25" spacer to get a little more lift.

 

When I say that it rubs, it barely rubs and only when I’m on some sort of decline at full left or full right. It doesn’t happen every time but enough for me to notice it. I know that it is rubbing the front sway bar so I’m thinking of removing it if the weight causes it to rub more often. Just trying to understand the pros and cons of removing it before I go down there.

 

If not doing any crazy off-road, I'm not sure what a little rubbing of the front sway bar really hurts. Seems the negatives of poor handling by removing the front sway bar far exceeds the rubbing issues. Also, there are ways to offset the effects of added bumper weight if it's a concern. That said, your ride will probably improve if you remove the front sway bar.

 

What does the poor handling consist of?

From the little research that I have done seems like people like it.

 

Trying not to go down this debate rabbit hole. Auto mfrs. don't install front sway bars as optional equip. and they normally err on the side of safety and performance. If it was me, I'd leave the FSB on and test and then remove to see the difference - 10 minute job. It probably comes down to how much driving you do on road vs. off and how comfortable you feel with the truck's handling on the roads you travel without a FSB.

 

Ok, yeah that's what the plan was. I'm hoping that I can get away without removing the sway bar.

 

Have you driven a Tundra with the front anti-sway bar removed? I removed mine and noticed no difference on road and a decent improvement off road.

 

No, but seems like a lot of people enjoy it without the FSB. thoughts on removing the front but keeping rear on?

 

Of course, the ultimate determination lies with each owner and why I agree that the OP should remove and test. Everyone uses their trucks differently, drives differently, and would arrive at a decision that works best for them. For my piece of mind and type of driving / use, I like having the TRD front sway bar installed.

 

If the front sway bar is removed, then you’ll experience significant differences in how the truck handles (steers). It will feel “looser”, particularly when driving at high speeds. It’s very possible that this will cause you to lose control of the truck, resulting in a serious accident if you’re not prepared for it. Of course these problems won't be an issue if you drive slower than grandpa.

 

Huh, I was ready to pull the trigger on the TRD Red Front Sway bar.... I'm I missing something?? Will the TRD front sway bar rub against the tires? JBA's? And or any front end components? Thx

 

Yeah, I'm not a fast driver. Usually, stick to 5 over the speed limit lol. How many people have actually gotten into a car accident or incident due to taking the sway bar out?
Will insurance go after me for taking this out/ void the powertrain warranty?

 

I went with narrow 35's so I think thats why it is slightly rubbing. Like I said earlier, it BARELY rubs and does not do it all of the time. Only when it is on decline.

 

I'm interested in this as well.... seems trophy trucks run sway bars in the rear so it must help with the "sway" still

 

It won't rub any different than your stock front sway bar. Same dimensions and reuses same mounts...Will take a few thousand years to rub through the TRD solid steel bar

 

Thanks man....Any Pixs?

 

I will send some pics later.

 

Would a sway bar drop bracket help this or make it worse ?

 

Would it help what?

 

tire rub on the sway bar. I’d imagine if the current setup is contacting the tire at its tallest point on the sway bar then a sway bar drop of 1/2-3/4” would move the sway bar below its widest point thus stopping the slight rub.

 

I’m having the same issue with the same size tire. I’m going to try a drop bracket and if that doesn’t give more clearance I’ll probably grind it a bit since it’s solid. Did you find a fix yet ?

 

In thinking of grinding it flat at the contact points mimicking the RSO design for 4Runners at the tire contact point.not that flat just taking some material off.

 

I added a spacer and it gave me double the room at the sidewall clearance. Maybe a touch less at the tread clearance but I don’t care much about that.

 

This is the clearance at both sides full lock.