By Jeff Bieler (Mrbieler) on Monday, May 28, 2001 - 10:07 am: Edit

Recently, after replacing the OEM suspension with OME shocks and springs, I have started having problems with the rear sway bar. The two end links that attach the to axle rotate UP from their traditional down position and stay there. This pushes the actual bar up and back. This is putting enough strain on all the bushings that I can clearly see through the rear bushings around the bar. In addition, the two links on the axles, when up, rub against the spring perches.

Any thoughts? The temptation is to pull the bar, but this is the wife/baby mobile as well and don't want her dealing with the handling issues on the highway.

By Troy on Monday, May 28, 2001 - 10:58 am: Edit

I didn't even miss the rear sway bar when I pulled mine (neither did my wife). The front bar does most of the work anyhow. It's worth a try to see if you can live with it-
Troy

By Gil Stevens (Gil) on Monday, May 28, 2001 - 11:32 am: Edit

mrbeiler, I had the same problem. Only the right side of the bar would lift, making the right side of the truck higher, and therefore having a detrimental effect on handling. I removed the bar, and I have not had any handling issues. I had both front and rear removed and that was scary. I think your wife might have more of a handling issue if that bar turns up while shes driving as oppossed to removing the bar itself. If I were you, I would be more concerned about the effect that the bar could now have on handling. If she does not understand what happens when the bar turns up, and she does realize the effect, it would be much easier to have a serious accident by leaving the bar on. My Disco was litterally about an 1 1/2" higher on the right side with the bar turned up. I knew it, so I knew how it would effect handling, and it still caught me offguard in certain situations. I think its safer to remove the bar all together. Take it off and drive with her, so that she is aware of how the truck may handle differently. good luck

By Jeff Bieler (Mrbieler) on Monday, May 28, 2001 - 12:30 pm: Edit

I have taken the bar off and will take her out today (highway, surface streets, and a trip to our local and secret inner-city off-road area). I've explained to her what's going on. She, of course, had to give me sh*t as the new springs and shocks are the culprit, but she's more then willing to give it a go.

Leaving the bar on, as is, is NOT an option. I poked and prodded and know what you mean about it lifing one side. Luckily(?), it was on both sides, but it was destroying the bushings and smashing against the spring and spring perch. Could, if left, also smash the brake/ABS lines as well. Not good.

As long as I stick with OME shocks, that should limit travel enough to protect brake and ABS lines, but I will watch that when we hit the dirt and get some articulation while she drives.

Thanks again for both your comments. New dad (OK potential new dad as the baby is now 5 days late) paranoia has me thinking about things I never worried about before.

Jeff ;-)

By Gil Stevens (Gil) on Monday, May 28, 2001 - 12:42 pm: Edit

hey man, congratulations....good luck with that as well...

By Blue Gill (Bluegill) on Tuesday, May 29, 2001 - 01:00 pm: Edit

welcome to the wife/baby mobile club

all these upgrades, and you don't get to drive it!

By SmokinBro on Tuesday, May 29, 2001 - 06:25 pm: Edit

My '98 D1 sports a child seat AND an infant seat and I love it. Especially if my wife takes it out. I feel confortable knowing that even if someone does clobber her, she and the kids will be fine. It would take an awful lot for an Acura to wipe out the disco.

By Jeff Bieler (Mrbieler) on Tuesday, May 29, 2001 - 07:20 pm: Edit

Thanks!

I sometimes get to drive it, but it's hers and she is very possesive of it.

I get to off-road it now and then, but we're going to go shopping for a Classic (preferably a 1988) for myself in a few weeks. That will become my toy. Once I get my own, I have a funny feeling she won't let me touch her Disco except to maintain it! ;-)

We'll probably be heading out to Pheonix this summer to see my folks and show off the baby. They live in the Pointe near Squaw Peak. Perhaps we could hit a trail while I'm there.....

Jeff

By Gil Stevens (Gil) on Tuesday, May 29, 2001 - 08:08 pm: Edit

Jeff, what state are you in? I get alot of older, well-maintained Classics. I usually wholesale them out, but I could keep my eye open if you want....

By Jeff Bieler (Mrbieler) on Tuesday, May 29, 2001 - 08:16 pm: Edit

I'm in Los Angeles.

I have the luxury of time and am trying to locate something with records of maintainence, etc. From all the ones I have looked at so far (20+), the amount of odometer fraud on the used Classic market is insane. Well over 75% of the vehicles I have run VINs on come back with signs of rollback.

The preference is for a clean 1988 as it's the closests in drive train to our Disco, but a 1990~1992 works as well. The 3.5L in the '88 is a slug, but given the chance, would'd rather have that over the later models.

Jeff

By Blue Gill (Bluegill) on Wednesday, May 30, 2001 - 11:43 am: Edit

Jeff, drop me a line when you're headed into Phx - we'll hit a local trail or two...