Re: Coupe GT Anti-sway bar for rear

[audistuff@juno.com (Paul R Anderson)]

Many questions concerning anti-sway bar diameters can be addressed
by the following statements.

An anti-sway bar's torsional stiffness (resistance to twist) is directly 
proportional to its cross sectional area.  The bar's actual working
stiffness is also dependent on the length of the lever arm (the 
perpendicular distance from the end of the bar to the torsional axis
of the bar.  If the arms are twice as long, it will cut the working
stiffness of the bar in half.  Also to be taken into account is the
material the bar is made of and whether it is tubular or solid.
On FWD cars with torsion (T-beam) rear axles such as the 
VW Rabbit/Scirocco/Quantum, and, I believe, the 4000, you already
have, in essence, an anti-sway bar.  It is T-shaped instead of 
round.  The rear bar adds to the effect of the rear axle beam.

. Addco makes a 1" bar for the front, and the 3/4" rear 
>bar,
>which seems kind of arse-backwards to me for a fwd car. Perhaps the
>small diameter of the rear bar is intended to allow for the axle to 
>flex
>as necessary. Actually, I never knew the rear axle had any movement
>other than up/down!

Even though Addco bars are relatively cheap, they seem to work
well in pairs.  I'd probably go for it.  Try J.C. Whitney for best price.
That's the only place I've ever bought an Addco from.


Paul Anderson, Cheyenne, WY  Private email:AndersonPaul@juno.com