Date: Mon, 15 May 2000 10:08:40 -0500
From: "Tharpe, Joe"
<<Does anyone have a way to calculate the approximate forces exerted on the
swat bar end links based on the diameter of the bar? I am looking at rod
ends for the first time and notice that they are rated based on static
loads. I have no idea what loads the bar will create and wondered if there
is any way to estimate this information,
Any help would be greatly appreciated. >>
The simple safe rule of thumb is to use rod ends rated for the weight of the
vehicle. You may get away with a bit smaller, but why? I personally used
links rated for a bit over half the weight of the vehicle on my previous car,
and they held up, but got a little loose after two years of hard driving,
autocross, and some street. 1/4 inch steel rod ends are rated for 1500-2500
pounds (depending on alloy) and should work fine on most cars, but I would
consider this an absolute minimum. On my STU(SM) car I used 5/16 for extra
safety, since I was not sure of the alloy, they are still tight as new after
3 years. For a CP monster, use 1/2 rod ends ;-)
>From the Pegasus catalog, Aurora rod ends
low carbon rod ends male threaded shank, (the female ones are stronger)
1/4 in 2,158 lb $10.99
5/16 in 2,784 lb $11.99
3/8 in 3,915 lb $12.99
7/16 in 4,218 lb $14.99
1/2 in 6,660 lb $16.99
Going up a size is cheap insurance.
Keep in mind the lever ratios and shock loading. If the sway bar connects at
half the a-arm length, it sees double the force on the tire, and in high
lean, it could be fighting the spring as well as the vehicle weight.
Gary M.
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