Alignment and sway bars

[Ghoste]

How many, if any, of you disconnect the sway bar for front end alignment and then set it up after?  (something I heard recently and hadn't before)

[myk]

Hmm....I've never done that.  Are we supposed to?

[HPP]

This is one of those nth degree of performance approaches that don't need to be done on the vast majority of cars. Most of us can't discern the difference in performance from doing it, so typically it is not done.

The reason why you would want to disconnect a sway bar is to remove any pre-load that might be present with it that may impart an angle on the chassis where it is pulling on its mounts. Not necessarily a deal killer for alignment, but absolutely required if you are performing corner weight checks on a car.

The idea is that you should align and weight the car in its static position so everything is neutral, then the bars should smoothly swing into their attaching points and demonstrate if they are imparting any pre-load.

For that matter, if you are going to this length, then the alignment should also be performed with you, or the equivilent amount of ballast, in the driver's seat as well.

[myk]

Thanks for the info guys; I'll be sure to try that after the TVS install...