Sway Bar "Stoppers"

[pro10is]

When I replaced the OEM sway bar with the EVO model I noticed the OEM had two "Sway Bar Stoppers" as they are referred to by BRP (part # 706201033). These stoppers were located to the outside of each bushing. Apparently they prevent the sway bar from moving laterally.


As you can also see from the photo the EVO sway bar does not use stoppers. The shape of the EVO sway bar limits the lateral movement of the sway bar somewhat but I find mine moves more than I would like it to. It also contacts the frunk causing an undesirable metal on plastic squeak whenever the suspension moves.

So my questions are: What exactly is the function of the stoppers? Are they important to the sway bar performance? Why doesn't the EVO sway bar use them?

Anyone have any insight on this?

 

[mooneych]

Stoppers??

The EVO doesn't have them?
Tell me that isn't so...
The EVO doesn't have them?

The EVO doesn't have them?

The EVO doesn't have them?

Now I'm going to be on pins and needles until I get home to verify this.

SEE WHAT YOU DID??? :roflblack:

 

[wyliec]

They don't have them. They don't have them. They don't have them.

Maybe BajaRon knows.

The EVO directions never even mentioned them.

 

[pro10is]

Wow, apparently no one knows or cared to comment.

Ok I'll take a stab at answering my own questions.

The sway bar stoppers are there to stop the sway bar from moving side to side (laterally). This is to prevent excessive wear on the bushings, squeaks, clunks, and to prevent the sway bar from contacting other suspension or body parts. It also may improve the efficiency of the sway bar by ensuring all flexing occurs in the desired direction and that the sway bar is always centered.

IMHO Evo was remiss not to include the stoppers because as I've discovered, their angled design does not prevent the sway bar from moving laterally as they may have thought. I'm going to remove the stoppers from my OEM bar and re-clamp them on the EVO bar. This may be somewhat difficult because of the increased diameter of the EVO bar but hopefully it'll work. If not I'll have to purchase or make a set of stoppers of the right size.

 

[Bob Denman]

Question (And probably a DUMB one! pps
Could you simply take a couple of hose clamps, wrap them around the bar and tighten them down in order to accomplish this? :dontknow:

 

[pro10is]

Question (And probably a DUMB one! pps
Could you simply take a couple of hose clamps, wrap them around the bar and tighten them down in order to accomplish this? :dontknow:

Not a dumb question at all Bob because that's essentially how BRP installes them. They just use the one time only factory type clamps. We can use the screw type clamps as they should work just as well or better.

 

[RAYYOU]

Thats what I did. Reinstalled stock stoppers on Evo sway
bar using hose clamps. Has been on bike for 6000 miles and no problems.

 

[pro10is]

Thats what I did. Reinstalled stock stoppers on Evo sway
bar using hose clamps. Has been on bike for 6000 miles and no problems.

:thumbup::thumbup:

 

[Bob Denman]

Not a dumb question at all Bob because that's essentially how BRP installes them. They just use the one time only factory type clamps. We can use the screw type clamps as they should work just as well or better.

Holy Crap! :shocked: I got one right?? :shocked:

WOO-HOO!! :yes:
Living proof that even a blind hog can find an acorn once in a while! hyea:

 

[Bob Denman]

Well those are a heckuva lot nicer-looking than my hoseclamp idea! pps: :thumbup:

 

[wyliec]

Rabbit

I have the EVO sway bar installed. Can these lateral locks be slid on without the need to move the trunk or remove the sway bar?

Thanks

 

[Bob Denman]

Wylie,
Just doing my best guessing here... but you probably could just unhook an end and slip one on... :dontknow:

 

[wyliec]

Wylie,
Just doing my best guessing here... but you probably could just unhook an end and slip one on... :dontknow:

I was being lazy. I went down and looked and since the stopper looks like it's 2 pieces I can install it without removing anything.

 

[dannymax]

I noticed there were no stoppers on the EVO bar but being as I don't really understand how the sway bar works I didn't give it much thought.

Some questions....RAYYOU, did not notice any difference in handling after installing the stoppers?
....What would happen if we left the stoppers off and lubed the swaybar/bushing area?
....Where do the stoppers go, up against the bushings, or leave a small bit of room for movement?

 

[pro10is]

I noticed there were no stoppers on the EVO bar but being as I don't really understand how the sway bar works I didn't give it much thought.

Some questions....RAYYOU, did not notice any difference in handling after installing the stoppers?

I don't imagine they'll be much difference but you never know. The stoppers might help slightly by keeping the sway bar centered and ensuring all of its potential torsion is used as designed.

....What would happen if we left the stoppers off and lubed the swaybar/bushing area?

Lubing may help reduce bushing wear. In fact some sway bar bushings include grease fittings. But exposed grease can also pick up and hold road grit which can potentially increase wear.
Without the stoppers the sway bar can move laterally which is undesired. Bushing wear may occur and the bar may rub on or hit other body or chassis components. That's why most sway bars of this design include stoppers.

....Where do the stoppers go, up against the bushings, or leave a small bit of room for movement?

They usually snug right up against the outside of the left and right bushing.

 

[RAYYOU]

Dannymax,

I installed the stoppers when I put the swaybar on, so I'm not sure what it feels like without them. I greased the bushings when I installed them. I would think that greasing the bushings without the stoppers would allow the bar to move side to side more freely. I clamped the stoppers as close to the bushings as I could get them. Some have said they didn't notice much difference in the RTs handling with the Evo swaybar but I noticed a big difference when riding 2 up and the Nanny doesn't kick in near as often.

 

[pro10is]

Update

Today I installed the OEM stoppers on the EVO sway bar. I'm not sure if they'll work because as it turns out the OEM bar actually had notches cut out where the stoppers are installed which mate to a key in the stopper. The cheap OEM stoppers are only molded plastic and they're held in place with a clamp. The notch and key ensure they'll stay in place without having to apply a lot of force which would have required a stronger and more expensive metal stopper. Unless you want to notch your EVO bar (I don't) the OEM stoppers probably won't be that effective. It's worth a try though. I'll know if they don't work because they'll move out of position. If that happens I'll look for a source for a 14mm metal stopper.

 

[RAYYOU]

I have about 6000 miles on the swaybar and as of about 2500 miles ago they had not moved. If you find a source for the metal stoppers I would interested, just to make sure there will not be a problem in the future.

 

[wyliec]

pro10is

I'll let you know how the lateral locks work.

 

[dannymax]

pro10is & RAYYOU

Thanks for the info guys!

Guess it's time to get it back up in the air and put some stoppers on, I wonder if a light film of sylicone adhesive on the inside of the oem stopper would help lock it in place....just a random thought cause I don't even know how it mounts yet. :dontknow: