Sway bar

[quicksilverdon]

Okay, had my PT in for 4-wheel alignment, and asked them to check over all bushings, as the car wasn't handling right ever since I hit a wheel-rim-destroying pothole. Turns out the bushings were okay, but sway bar (really ANTI-sway bar) was broken.

Question - the earlier PTs - '01, '02 not sure about '03, had sway bars, but '04 and '05 PTs don't. The question - was anything done to compensate for the sway bar by beefing the rear beam axle, etc, or was the sway bar just eliminated?
I plan on getting a new PT, and if they just eliminted the sway bar, guess I better plan on adding an aftermarket one, since I notice when mine broke. - Anyone added a sway bar to an '04 or '05? How hard was it? Rear would seem to be easy, no?????

[CREWZIN]

quote:Originally posted by quicksilverdon

The question - was anything done to compensate for the sway bar by beefing the rear beam axle, etc, or was the sway bar just eliminated?

Don,

I remember when the whole argument started, and some people were really annoyed that the build sheet still listed a rear sway bar and it wasn't seen under the car. Chrysler came back saying they did include a rear sway bar incorporated into the rear axle (somehow), and shortly after, the sway bar comment on the build sheet was taken off. Some owners, at the very beginning of the argument, complained enough to their dealers that they actually had one put on for free, but soon Chrysler put a stop to that. Now everyone that thinks they need one in the rear, has to buy and install it themselves.

[bigdogdad]

not only did they advise dealers that it was now indeed installed in the rear axle, they also advised that a sway bar "add-on" was not recommended at all and if one was installed it could negatively effect handling. i know tons of cruiser people have added on anyway but it would be interesting if someone who added one had a problem with the rear axle and what would Chrysler say?

[RallyDRock]

i would guess that a part number cross reference would yeild the same numbers for the rear beam axle for both 2001 and 2004 cruisers.
anyone have the part #'s?

[gonzomania]

I checked my parts list (but it has been wrong before)and it is listed this way for rear suspension: Bar,Sway 01-02 5272309AA $54.95
03-04 527923AA $106.00 includes R&R sway bar links,retainers & cushions. I don't know if this is correct or not & hope this helps[:I]

[2step]

Here's the part #s and prices on the rear axles. Because the price jumps up quite a bit for '03/04 Sport, they would seem to be a heavier part. From the sketch, the axles have a swing arm that mounts at 90* from the beam so it appears they work on a torque/twist principal. So heavier/thicker should control sway better.

AXLE ASSEMBLY
2001.............................5272550AC........ ....$163.00
2002.............................5272550AE........ ....$163.00
2003(std susp, firm feel)...03 4656440AG.......$174.00 (Base?)
2004(std susp, firm feel)...04 4656440AH.......$174.00
2003(sport susp).............03 5272914AA.......$329.00 (Turbo?)
2004(sport susp).............04 5272914AB.......$329.00

EXTERNAL ANTI-SWAY BAR
2001-2002...................01-02 5272309AA......$54.95
2003-2004...................03-04 5272923AA....$106.00

A few other parts on the '03 were common with '01-02 but changed on the '04. I have no part #s for 2005.
By what the prices indicate, there doesn't seem to be a big difference at the '03 change over unless it was the "Sport".
The "name" on the '03-04 std susp does say "Firm Feel" for the base PT, so that may confirm Chrysler's explanation somewhat about the lack of an external bar.


I guess we need a volunteer with an'01-02 and one with an '03-04. Have them drive faster and faster in a circle 'till one falls over. []

[quicksilverdon]

quote:Originally posted by 2step


I guess we need a volunteer with an'01-02 and one with an '03-04. Have them drive faster and faster in a circle 'till one falls over. []

I hope to have an '02 and '05 soon - well, giving '02 to daughter, so I won't have it.
Trouble is, there are other variables, like the Good-for-a-year tires that'll be on the new one, older shocks on the '02, but I don't want more lean on turns!

[gonzomania]

QSD,
Sounds like you get to do MOD bug all over again. How much fun could that be[^]

[quicksilverdon]

quote:Originally posted by gonzomania

QSD,
Sounds like you get to do MOD bug all over again. How much fun could that be[^]

Already thinking -
BTG duals
E&G Grill
Intake
BOV
.
.