Puma Front Sway Bar Removed, now I have a clunk

[Green Elephant]

Hi guys

Well I removed the front sway bar (rear is still on because it has the structural integrity of a pool noodle).

The increased articulation and reduced engagement of Traction Control is very pleasing!

However when the front wheel eventually manages to lift off the ground, I am presented with a large clunk. No bad noised at any other time.

I cant see any obvious wear marks where something is fouling, would the spring retainers cause this? Any ideas?

Cheers!

[Tomo]

Hi Green Elephant,
How do you now find the on road handling?
Cant comment on the clunk...

Cheers

[Green Elephant]

Onroad handling is not too bad really. A change of direction between 10 oclock and 2 oclock (or 45 degree change in direction if you like) is barely noticeable in body roll increase, but you do notice it a bit more body roll on say a 90 degree turn. On the flip side, it doesnt have the jerky characteristic like you are being pulled into a pot hole or undulation either. For example if you are driving in a left lane that also has man hole covers or water drains, you dont feel the chassis being "pulled" down, rather the wheel extends to meet the change and the chassis remains much flatter.

So there are good and bad changes from the removal. As a whole though I am very happy and would not consider going back... Unless this clunk forces me to :(

[chook73]

Hi guys

Well I removed the front sway bar (rear is still on because it has the structural integrity of a pool noodle).

The increased articulation and reduced engagement of Traction Control is very pleasing!

However when the front wheel eventually manages to lift off the ground, I am presented with a large clunk. No bad noised at any other time.

I cant see any obvious wear marks where something is fouling, would the spring retainers cause this? Any ideas?

Cheers!

Are you running standard spring height & standard shock height?

Do you have a steering guard?

Is it happening on lifting & landing or just lifting?

Possibly just moving in the seat but I have had the steering arms foul on the steering guard as well.

[Yorkshire_Jon]

I trust your not binding one of the front UJs when it goes clunk?

Standard ones run close to the limit in terms of operating angle.

J

Sent using Forum Runner

[Leroy_Riding]

ditto to the above, the front shaft in puma's is known to bind in high articulation situations and/or with a lift. . . there are a few threads on the forum about replacement shafts to remedy the situation.

Leroy

[justinc]

My guess is the radius rod bush bolts are loose. Taking into account that EVERY Puma Defender I have serviced has had loose suspension and sway bar bolts, this is a good place to start...

JC

[ted44]

Ditto to above thought, radius arm bolts I had this after being a bit tight and reusing the bolts after changing the bushes it took me ages to track down! lesson learnt at least change the nylock nuts!!
Worth a look!

[justinc]

the radius rod bolts have to be TIGHT, and done when vehicle is at resting height, best done on a ramp hoist with a bar and a pipe....:cool:

JC

[BilboBoggles]

I wonder if anyone has confirmed if removing a sway bar on a Defender makes it unroadworthy, could this void insurance? I know though that some defenders had no sway bars, so I guess that makes it an option, so perhaps this is OK?




I hate rules

[Yorkshire_Jon]

I wonder if anyone has confirmed if removing a sway bar on a Defender makes it unroadworthy, could this void insurance? I know though that some defenders had no sway bars, so I guess that makes it an option, so perhaps this is OK?

I hate rules

Don't all defenders (TD5s onwards anyway) have them on the front, only the rear where some models dont have them installed as standard.

Happy to be told different.

R
J

Sent using Forum Runner

[Green Elephant]

Thanks for the replies!

Its totally stock suspension setup.

I have only noticed the clunk on lifting. When you say steering guard, do you mean the steering arm protector bar? I might have to take a closer look for some foul marks if thats what you guys mean.

I guess it could be the front shaft binding, but would that not result in multiple clunks?

The seat of the pants feeling is that it may be the radius arm now that you guys have mentioned it... it feels like thats where it might be coming from.

The truck is at the dealers and failed the leak test :wacko: , so I will let you know what I find once it is returned to me.

[chook73]

I wonder if anyone has confirmed if removing a sway bar on a Defender makes it unroadworthy, could this void insurance? I know though that some defenders had no sway bars, so I guess that makes it an option, so perhaps this is OK?




I hate rules

Technically yes, it would also be looked into by the police if you had a serious or fatal accident....

Legally the only way around it is to have it engineered but I doubt you would find many people that would do that after removing a sway bar....

[Green Elephant]

http://www.infrastructure.gov.au/roads/vehicle_regulation/bulletin/pdf/NCOP11_Section_LS_Tyres_Suspension_Steering_V2_1Ja n_2011%20v3.pdf

Sway bars are mentioned in a few places here, but only pertaining to changes/replacement. Removal is not mentioned as far as I can see.

This document is only the Nation Code of Practice and there may be other documents that over ride this in a particular jurisdiction (ie. state law).

I would be very interested to know if anyone can find anything more specific

[chook73]

I guess it could be the front shaft binding, but would that not result in multiple clunks?


I would have thought so


When you say steering guard, do you mean the steering arm protector bar?

No I have an alloy bash plate and my steering arm used to bind on this on articulation so I had to trim some off




The seat of the pants feeling is that it may be the radius arm now that you guys have mentioned it... it feels like thats where it might be coming from.


Worth checking, I had a couple of these sort of bolts loose from the factory, one sway bar and one A-Frame...... :eek:

[chook73]

http://www.infrastructure.gov.au/roads/vehicle_regulation/bulletin/pdf/NCOP11_Section_LS_Tyres_Suspension_Steering_V2_1Ja n_2011%20v3.pdf

Sway bars are mentioned in a few places here, but only pertaining to changes/replacement. Removal is not mentioned as far as I can see.

This document is only the Nation Code of Practice and there may be other documents that over ride this in a particular jurisdiction (ie. state law).

I would be very interested to know if anyone can find anything more specific

My insurer is very clear that any modifications or alterations that aren't specifically listed in the standards etc must be engineered and listed on the insurance policy. I am not aware that the removal of sway bars is covered in any standard/code etc (although I could be wrong).

I doubt it would be an issue unless you had a serious accident.