RIP Sway Bar

[Marklovski]

I had the first batch of sway bars from Doax. I guess it finally gave way. Not sure what caused it as it was powder coated and then I painted over it. 2 weeks ago I heard sqeaking but nothing was noticeable. Just noticed ot today and one side snapped off. Just letting you know if you hear sqeaking then check the sway bar.

I'm pretty happy with the sway bar. At least it didn't rust away like the Ultra Racing one and didn't cost $200+

I guess it works out at the end. I couldn't access the airlift bags due to the bar blocking under the coils.

[Mark]

I had the first batch of sway bars from Doax. I guess it finally gave way. Not sure what caused it as it was powder coated and then I painted over it. 2 weeks ago I heard sqeaking but nothing was noticeable. Just noticed ot today and one side snapped off. Just letting you know if you hear sqeaking then check the sway bar.

I'm pretty happy with the sway bar. At least it didn't rust away like the Ultra Racing one and didn't cost $200+

I guess it works out at the end. I couldn't access the airlift bags due to the bar blocking under the coils.

My first edition broke in the exact same spot. I don't want to say much about the last edition on my Mirage, because it might jinx it!

Those rear axles twist pretty easily. I think those rear sway bars are working quite hard.

[mohammad]

It looks like the paint was holding up well. any idea why/how the inside of the tube became rusty?

Does anyone here think painting the inside of the tube with a rust inhibitor or using a spring steel less prone to rust would have made a difference here?

[Mark]

It looks like the paint was holding up well. any idea why/how the inside of the tube became rusty?

Does anyone here think painting the inside of the tube with a rust inhibitor or using a spring steel less prone to rust would have made a difference here?

Paint, rust, & weld are not the issue. The pipe itself can't handle the force of the twisting. The weld didn't break on my first sway bar. The pipe twisted off near the weld. Did the heat of the welding weaken the pipe? Maybe?

I don't think anything could be done to make those last longer. A solid bar versus a pipe may last longer, but that's what the UR rear sway is -

https://www.ebay.com/itm/17516095264...xoCK4sQAvD_BwE

[Marklovski]

My first edition broke in the exact same spot. I don't want to say much about the last edition on my Mirage, because it might jinx it!

Those rear axles twist pretty easily. I think those rear sway bars are working quite hard.

Thats what I figured. I'm assuming some angles I went over speedbumps because of the odd turn angles in some areas may have caused the flex in the bar.

It looks like the paint was holding up well. any idea why/how the inside of the tube became rusty?

Does anyone here think painting the inside of the tube with a rust inhibitor or using a spring steel less prone to rust would have made a difference here?

I can't say if it became rusty before I realized it snapped. I will take it off tomorrow morning and examine the parts.

Paint, rust, & weld are not the issue. The pipe itself can't handle the force of the twisting. The weld didn't break on my first sway bar. The pipe twisted off near the weld. Did the heat of the welding weaken the pipe? Maybe?

I don't think anything could be done to make those last longer. A solid bar versus a pipe may last longer, but that's what the UR rear sway is -

https://www.ebay.com/itm/17516095264...xoCK4sQAvD_BwE

To ask for clarification, is the UR bar a pipe or solid piece. I probably won't get another sway bar and just slap my rear strut bar back on.

[Mark]

To ask for clarification, is the UR bar a pipe or solid piece. I probably won't get another sway bar and just slap my rear strut bar back on.

The UR is a solid smaller diameter bar, but I have seen those busted on a Mirage, too. The bar will bust off the end plates. May be able to have it welded back in that case, however.

[CROSSBOLT]

It looks like the paint was holding up well. any idea why/how the inside of the tube became rusty?

Does anyone here think painting the inside of the tube with a rust inhibitor or using a spring steel less prone to rust would have made a difference here?

The older aircraft with 4130 chrome-moly steel tubing were preserved by pumping linseed oil throughout and draining. Worked good as the frames treated this way lasted decades.

[allrock]

The older aircraft with 4130 chrome-moly steel tubing were preserved by pumping linseed oil throughout and draining. Worked good as the frames treated this way lasted decades.

the tube rusting is not the issue here its the stress the tube receives while the rear cross member is flexing, this type of material is not purposely build to endure torsional stress.

[allrock]

its bound to happen, unless replace the pipe with a different materials like the one on the torsion bar.

[Marklovski]

I did a quick search. So softer springs/suspension put more stress on the bar. I was running my coilovers most of the lifespan of the swaybar but switched back to stock and got aftermarket monroe shocks for the back. I think if you have stiffer suspension you should be fine but the soft OEM suspension might be putting too much stress on the bar.