sway bars

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Jun 2, 2017 | 04:43 PM

BillyClub

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sway bars

About 8 years ago I Put ZR-1 sway bars on my stock 05..Lately my daughter mentioned that the car "sure rides rough" and my being 75 years of age adds to the discomfort, soooo....I was wondering if it would ride any somewhat softer if I put the stock bars back on.
I've asked around and some said yes and others no and not worth the trouble...what do you think??

Jun 2, 2017 | 04:59 PM

unixcorn

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From: Rocheport Missouri

Quote:

Originally Posted by BillyClub

I added Z51 sway bars to my 08 base and it now rides just a tiny bit rougher. To me the reduced body roll is well worth it.

My opinion, which is very subjective, is that you probably won't notice a big enough difference in ride comfort by putting the original sway bars back on.

Please keep us posted.

Last edited by unixcorn; Jun 2, 2017 at 05:00 PM.

Jun 2, 2017 | 05:23 PM

Dave S

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From: Jackson NJ

Quote:

Originally Posted by BillyClub

If you're still running GY runflats, you should start there if looking for a softer ride. The GY's are notoriously hard riding & more so as they age. I long ago went to Nitto Invo non-RF's that provide a much softer & quieter ride. There are many other non-RF's that are equally good. The ZR-1 sway bars increase "stiffness", but if it "harshness" you're feeling, think about the tires first. Also check your shocks for any signs of leakage or damage.....especially look for scoring on the piston rods which would indicate broken seals allowing dirt or grit into the shock.

Jun 2, 2017 | 09:17 PM

Homer3D

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From: Woodland CA

The basic answer is yes, the ride will get a little softer but don’t expect it to be a huge difference. I would take a look at tires and shocks for a smoother ride.

Jun 2, 2017 | 09:30 PM

LarryMow

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From: Hattiesburg MS

Hmmm ok, let me ask......if the sway bars were changed, wouldnt the bushing/isolator make a considerable difference? If it came with rubber bushings and they were replaced with polyurethane ones.....wouldnt that make the ride rougher as well?

Jun 2, 2017 | 09:36 PM

96GS#007

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From: Texas

Quote:

Originally Posted by LarryMow

Your fishing. Bottom line is that a sway bar sway and/or a bushing swap will have minimal affect unless you have an incredibly calibrated backside.

If you want a noticeably softer ride, you have three choices...
- Tires
- Springs
- Shocks

Ok four choices...
- buy a sedan

Jun 3, 2017 | 06:20 AM

AORoads

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From: Northern, VA

St. Jude Donor '15

"In honor of jpee"

I don't think bushings are the issue. I think 96 has hit the ones that are important. OP's car is an '05, possibly made in '04 or '05. That means the shocks and springs have "been around" going on 12 to 13 full years. Are they getting a little soft, or hard? Maybe. But I'd check the date codes on those tires first (easiest things first), decide if they're old (which equals hardening up)---hopefully, they've already been replaced once. Then I'd look at the shocks. You'd know if you had a broken spring, and you probably don't.

Finally, for a minimal increase in comfort, I'd replace sways. Gearhead Jim found that, on his Z51-option car, going to base (non-Z51) shocks gave him a slightly softer ride for long-distance driving and Jim's approaching your age. Something to consider.

IMO, tires and shocks will make the biggest difference in comfort. Come back and tell us A) the age of your tires by the date code on the side of each tire, and B) if your shocks show any sign of leaking.

Jun 3, 2017 | 08:39 AM

wayback

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I have had base, Z06 and now Z51 sway bars. IMHO they did little to the ride comfort. They did affect the handling of the car. Z06 sway bars gave a stronger center feel to the steering, taking a larger effort to change the direction of travel. Z51 bars are less centered and quicker steering with less effort. took some getting used to after the Z06 bars.

The biggest benefit of swapping bars will be more advanced warning before losing traction. I bet you have no warning before the tires let go with ZR1 bars on a base car.