Removing sway bars in Puma

[Drew90]

What's everyone's opinion on this? Been getting mixed responses when searching. Has anyone done this?

Thanks Guys

[Drover]

I have still got mine on, they really dont seem to impede the articulation very much, I would say not at all but they must have some impact.

I think you would notice the differance withount them on the road.

[solmanic]

I haven't had any issues off-road with mine still on, and it sure makes going around round-abouts more comfortable than my previous Td5.

[rainman]

Not having them makes a considerable difference to the body roll on road in my experience. I don't do any serious off road work so I would never consider not having them again, but I guess you have to decide whether you want better handling on road or articulation off road. Removing and installing is a simple, quick job so you could test it out for yourself.

James.

[PAT303]

I'd never remove mine. Pat

[87County]

Coil sprung 110s from the 80s had them, 120s didn't...

tdi defenders didn't (AFAIK)...

from when were they again fitted ? eg. did TD5s have them ?

[Psimpson7]

Depends on the spec level with TD5's and maybe still the same with the newer ones.

Mine being a commercial doesn't have, and has never had them. It was an option though.

The handling is fine, although the 2" lift spoilt it a bit.

[rainman]

Coil sprung 110s from the 80s had them, 120s didn't...

tdi defenders didn't (AFAIK)...

from when were they again fitted ? eg. did TD5s have them ?

My '94 Tdi 110 cab chassis didn't have them (like Pete says "commercial"), but my '95 Tdi 130 dual cab does.

James.

[tuffrangie]

I have pulled the front out of my Puma and it makes such a difference in ride quality on rougher roads and dirt. Traction control fires substantially less, I'm not talking at full artic, just the noise of it firing without doing anything is massively reduced. I can't say I have noticed the extra body roll, although probably do have slightly more but not much.

Overall I would recomend this at least as a trial for any Puma owners that use their car offroad. Mine was frustrating me with its poor ride given its coil sprung all round. My Patrol was better before pulling the front one out. Speed limits are the limiting factor still when cornering not bodyroll or poor handling.

Rob

[Graeme]

I removed a front sway bar link from my '99 D2 to obtain a much smoother ride on secondary sealed roads, only refitting it 4 years later when it was sold.

[portafilter]

How about this as a compromise.
http://www.x-eng.co.uk/X-Deflex.asp

[ugu80]

One big minus is it is not legal. Besides risking a fine and defect notice, you will void your insurance (wouldn't an assessor love to find removed sway bars in a rollover). You could possibly fit firmer springs and dampers to control body roll and have an engineering certificate issued.

The best way is to go to a suspension place that does such things and have sway bar disconnects fitted (probably cheaper than a 'Deflex').

[Allan]

Removed both on the Puma at one stage, not on standard shocks though, have since replaced the rear as I load the roof rack a bit more. On the TD5 90 both are gone, again far from standard suspension and it drives well. Both ride better without the bars as others have mentioned, the legality is an issue though

Allan

[cal415]

My rear is currently off due to being damaged by extra wheel travel, i noticed no difference at all in body roll, mind you mine isnt exactly standard any more, i plan to pull the front off very soon as my front tailshaft will hit it lightly under full articulation, even with 20mm of spacer on it...

[Drew90]

Hmmmm.....really want to take them off now but yeah incsurance could be a bit of a problem. Don't like the Deflex as it's only for the rear. Does anyone know of anyone that doing quick disconnects yet?

[PhilipA]

Maybe do some research and find out if sway bars are an option from the factory or base standard equipment.
If they are an option or there are models sold in the EU without them , then I believe that it is permissable to remove them.
A parallel to this is that you could remove air suspension on an RRC as they were sold in other markets with springs. Similarly The 1992 RRC "Hunter" was sold without sway bars in the USA.
Regards Philip A

[Psimpson7]

It looks like they are still an option on the hard tops (ie solid rear side panels)

As far as I can see they are std on the station wagons