Quote:
quote:Originally posted by bigtommy83
The 03, 04 pt's have rear sway bars, they are just inside the trailign arm-axle assembly...
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I think that is no more than "
DC corporate spin"
[:0] and the removal of this part is simply a "cost-cutting measure", but, I may be wrong. [B)]
You need to decide this issue for yourself. [:I]
Read what
DC has to say:
Chrysler Service Bulletin
Number: 02-004-02
Group: Suspension
Date: Oct. 28, 2002
Subject:
Rear Stabilizer Bar
Overview:
This bulletin provides rear stabilizer bar technical information.
Models:
2003 (PT) PT Cruiser
Discussion:
From the initial launch of the PT Cruiser (2001 M.Y.) all vehicles built for sale in the U.S.
and Canada included two devices for roll control at the rear of the vehicle:
* An internal stabilizer bar, integrated into the rear twist beam axle; and
* An external supplemental bar, which was added during production development to achieve
desired vehicle dynamics characteristics.
An engineering change occured for the 2003 MY that increased the size of the internal
stabilizer bar. This new internal bar provides a level of control which equals the
performance of the previous combination of internal and external bars. As a result, the
external supplemental bar was no longer required, and was dropped from produciton.
NOTE: NO EQUIPMENT SHORTAGE IS PRESENT ON 2003 PT CRUISERS WHICH DO
NOT HAVE AN EXTERNAL STABILIZER BAR. NO RETROFIT OR ADJUSTMENT IS
REQUIRED. THE FUNCTION OF ROLL CONTROL AND BALANCE IS ACHIEVED
ENTIRELY BY THE INTERNAL STABILIZER BAR, WHICH IS INTEGRAL TO
THE REAR TWIST BEAM AXLE. ADDITION OF A SUPPLEMENTAL EXTERNAL
STABILIZER BAR ON U.S. OR CANADE MARKET 2003 MY PT CRUISER IN
THE ABSENCE OF OTHER CHANGES WILL COMPROMISE THE VEHICLES'
RIDE CHARACTERISTICS, AND IS NOT RECOMMENDED.
Policy:
Information Only
From research I have done the Rear Stablizer Bar does make a difference.
Not having this part on my car is a safety issue for me. I have read reports from people owning GTs without this bar installed having
experienced some problems with vehicle stability especially at
highway speeds when the vehicle is
fully-loaded with cargo and/or people. Since my car never was without this part I can't comment on the "before driving experience", but, with it installed, my car handles very well and
I have peace of mind.
Many
DC dealerships, even the good ones, don't know the "missing rear stabilizer bar issue" even exists. My first car (
2003 GT Turbo) was built on 1/31/03 and a few weeks before I took delivery (2/21/03) I spoke with the General Sales Manager on this subject. He told a staff member to check the GTs on the lot--surprise, none had rear sway bars. I was told if the window sticker on my new GT listed a rear sway bar then I would get one installed free of charge. My GT arrived and the window sticker read, under Standard Equipment, "Stabilizer Bar -- Front." I ended up having to pay for the missing part installed on my car--no regrets whatsoever.
Read what the
PTCOC San Diego Director had to say about the missing sway bar on the 2003 GT Turbos which was posted on the
PTE Forums:
"I've yet to hear of a 2003 PT Cruiser GT to have the rear sway bar on it from the factory. We've installed several of the rear sway bars at the dealership I work at. I know that Chrysler has since quit listing the rear sway bar on the build sheets for the Turbo. Everyone that I know of that has had them installed has noticed an obvious improvement, myself and our Asst Service Manager included."
Jerry (PT4JT) Torregrosa
San Diego Director
PT Cruiser Owners Club
Rancho Chrysler
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