[Farkyard]

On a recent off-road jaunt in the XL7 a nasty noise started to come from the front end. Wasn't able to diagnose on track and nothing obvious at home once washed. Was about to put it on a hoist when I realised that the front sway bar had busted both bolts off. I have searched the forum and general consensus is he car will go alright without it. I certainly have not noticed any difference on-road apart from an intermittent clunk that it had disappearing. Will let ya know about off-road tomorrow! My question is can anyone report on what it is like long term not to have them connected with regards to extra wear and tear etc? I'm happy to leave it off a this point because as I pointed out there is no perceptible difference on-road. Just worried about longer term damage.

[atari4x4]

i haven't run a sway bar for 7+ years.

[fordem]

If the vehicle is a daily driver or sees any highway useage at all, I strongly recommend you replace it - if it's primarily an off road vehicle, by all means leave it off.

Under normal circumstances you won't be able to tell what the sway bar does for you, but, in a sudden right/left manouver, for example to avoid a child darting after a ball, or, a less than alert driver attempting a lane change, it can mean the difference between staying shiny side up or flipping it.

Many years ago I had temporarily removed the swaybar on a wagon I was repairing, it drove quite well without it, so I did not immedialtely replace it - the following day I hit a puddle of water with the right front tire and a vehicle that would normally be rock steady in those circumstances almost put me, the wife and kid under a truck.

Try a left/right/left swerve in a quiet street and see how it reacts.

[Matthew]

Not a review, however it's likely your insurance will be void without a swaybar.

[Farkyard]

Appreciate the thoughts so far It is an everyday driver so anything that might put the family or another at risk is always a consideration as is the insurance angle. If I was to reattach dies anyone know if there is a stronger option bolt wise?

[stockman]

What's the rating on the standard bolt? Should be stamped on the head.

[Farkyard]

Haven't looked at the bolt head yet. The fact they busted on a trip that wasn't all that strenuous had me suspicious! Looking at it from another angle they have been on there for 11 years I suppose.