Wagon vs Police Front Sway Bar

[Tiggie]

I know police cars and a few towing package cars came with a 1 1/8in solid front sway bar. I think the wagon came with a 1 3/16in hollow bar (correct me if I'm wrong).

Which one is actually better? Or is the difference negligible? Anyone got any formulas for things like torsional ridgity?

If Ford had any common sense, I would think the PI bar would be the better choice.

[DuceAnAHalf]

I know police cars and a few towing package cars came with a 1 1/8in solid front sway bar. I think the wagon came with a 1 3/16in hollow bar (correct me if I'm wrong).

Which one is actually better? Or is the difference negligible? Anyone got any formulas for things like torsional ridgity?

If Ford had any common sense, I would think the PI bar would be the better choice.

Maybe check the sticky called Suspension Formulas.

[mrltd]

I'm gonna say that they are eqivalent in torsional rigidity.... Or damn close. The benefit is that the wagon bar wieghs next to nothing in comparison.

Wagons got some neat stuff!

[Blaze86Vic]

Yeah, what MRLTD said, I think it may be stronger, but I need to have one cut in half to find out for sure.

[mrltd]

Yeah, what MRLTD said, I think it may be stronger, but I need to have one cut in half to find out for sure.

Why? you can get the wall thickness from the ends where it's stamped together.

[Blaze86Vic]

Assuming the thickness is the same all through out that would do fine.

[LTDMan83]

Search google for info on hollow sway bars,you will find all the torsional rigidity formulas for every wall thickness of hollow sway bar vs the same size solid.

The hollow wagon sway bar has teh advantage,even if for nothing more than reducing unsprung weight,which is allways a good thing.

[DuceAnAHalf]

Search google for info on hollow sway bars,you will find all the torsional rigidity formulas for every wall thickness of hollow sway bar vs the same size solid.

The hollow wagon sway bar has teh advantage,even if for nothing more than reducing unsprung weight,which is allways a good thing.

actually most of the sway bars weight is sprung weight, only half the weight on the endlinks is sprung weight.