How much wheel travel do you gain by removing the sway bars?

Title is description.
Gen 5 Subaru Outback
2" Lift
245/65/17 Tires.
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[@Morpheux1]

The swaybar will not affect wheel travel if you lift both wheel off the ground at the same, it limits how much it can twist, you use a long ramp, drive only one wheel up ot, and measure how far up the ramp you can go before a rear wheel goes off the ground.

[@bruceyyyyy]

That's pretty much the same thing I figured out in the video.

[@vincentwindels3752]

@@bruceyyyyy Not exactly, because your ramps were not high enough, swaybar disconnected you still had both wheels on the ground. If you try again with higher ramps (+2") you will get more compression from the wheels on the ramps.

[@chrismith41399]

😂😂😂

[@atom31b]

It limits the allowed difference in wheel position between left and right side. People don't understand that. When one wheel takes advantage of down travel the other compresses more for up travel, your wheel difference can easily be 5-6 inches instead of 3.

[@chuckiep268]

Adam Bleech he even proves it when he climbs the ramps with both sway bars connected and it wobbled. It’s cool to see the difference though!

[@MatthewHeiskell]

My friend and I tested this. I wish that we would have shot a video; it was really interesting. We did the diagonal test with the walmart rhino ramps. With both bars in place, I had to use Xmode to get it to climb the ramps. Then we disconnected the rear bar and tried again. Still had to use Xmode, but there was less tire spin on the pavement during the climb. Finally, we disconnected the front bar too and it was able to drive up the diagonal ramps without Xmode. All four tires still had significant weight on them. I drove around a few weeks with them disconnected before removing both of them entirely (had to cut the rear one to get it out, saved the front one). It rides like a Cadillac now. Very comfy on and off road, but I won't be putting a rack or tent on the roof . . . unless I reinstall the front bar.

[@bruceyyyyy]

I was surprised to find out the bar doesn't seem to limit total travel only the diagonal situations.

[@RKmndo]

@@bruceyyyyy Most anti-swaybars are designed to not limit travel, but only to limit sway...or a DIFFERENCE in travel between the left and right wheels. Compression travel of a suspension is typically limited by bumpstop. Droop travel of a suspension is typically limited by shock length, linkage bind, or limiting strap.

[@martinj001]

Cool to see, as I've been debating removing my rear swaybar. Sounds like for what I do at the moment, leaving it in place is the better choice. Thanks for the information, bruceyyyy!

[@JonDZ_Adventuring]

Right on Frenemy!!! Thank you for making these videos that contribute to the knowledge base.

[@bruceyyyyy]

I am looking forward to seeing how the passport fares!

[@JonDZ_Adventuring]

bruceyyyyy sounds like the next Challenge.

[@KentuckyRanger]

It's amazing the ability of the Outback to straddle that high an obstacle.

[@joergarms1]

What a great rig. I love that winch being so nice build away.

[@softroadingthewest]

I have survived all kinds of twisty diagonal wheel lift scenarios without ever disconnecting any sway bars, and I think those scenarios which *have* proven beyond the abilities of my Forester have been obstacles I never would have gotten past anyway, with or without sway bars. I've nonetheless wondered if I would see any perceptible improvement by disconnecting sway bars on gnarly trails, but have never felt quite motivated enough to bother with it. I am happy to learn that my laziness probably isn't really hurting me much.

[@bruceyyyyy]

It's definitely more comfortable on rocky paths. Similar to airing down the tires.

[@Kaiser0929]

As a fellow lifted Subaru owner (2016 3.6R), just wanted to thank you guys for your videos. I enjoy both of your channels tremendously.

[@softroadingthewest]

@@bruceyyyyy Ooohh...I did not know it impacted comfort, I thought it was purely to keep tires on the ground for better traction. I'm just old enough to ALWAYS be down for increased comfort. That right there may motivate me to give it a shot.

[@softroadingthewest]

@@Kaiser0929 Thank you!

[@AndriyHalyasovskyy]

Also want to thank you both guys for your knowledge sharing. BTW, @bruceyyyyy how does eyesight works with liftkits? Are there any issues? Manual says it may work incorrectly even if you have few mm diff in your tire wearing...

[@badroger69]

It will always help off road with the sway bar disconnected even if ever so slightly the travel you get, that's 4x4 101. More flex = more capable. Like the man said it's a safety device and I wouldn't drive streets without them. Just a few years back they made swaybar disconnect for brand new jeeps. If I ever lift my soon to be outback and make it into a real offroad vehicle I will totally disconnect the sway bars cause in all the vids on here suspension travel/flex is thee major limmiting factor for soft roaders like these and every little bit helps.

[@josephrusyn9913]

I didnt take any scientific measurements.. but I can tell you I disconnected the rear only so far and when I hit a speed bump at an angle there is way less of a jarring rebound than before (or compared to when the front tires hit). Totally worth it if you will be offroading regularly.

[@michaelelliott1519]

The front sway bar links were broken off on my Forester when we bought it and I never got around to fixing it since I was thinking of removing it anyway, so I cannot say if it helps or not. I watched one video where a guy tested a Jeep JK and a 4 Runner with different set ups on the sway bars and ramp locations and came to the conclusion that you get more wheel articulation with the front sway bar disconnected only. I'm not sure if that would apply to 4 wheel independent suspensions. I trail in the Ouachita and Ozark areas and so far it has ran good on stock suspension and street tires. I can't wait to see how it does with the new Toyo tires and 2" lift.

[@robwhite240z]

9:46--10:00 you show how having the sway bars connected takes away your Suspension Articulation. So on road, sway bars good. Off road, sway bars bad. Next time you have trouble with a hill climb try a F and R disconnect and try again. Now if i am going to drive in soft sand, after dropping my tire pressures to about 18 psi, what setting do i put the electronics of my 2016 Outback into ( X-Mode etc ) ?

[@FultzFPV]

I like the fender plastic cladding around your fenders! What brand? Where do I find those?

[@thomasuzarski7368]

I disconnected my rear sway bar, got 3 1/2 inches of drop more. I have 2 inch lp Aventure lift, Rallitek oem springs, back overload, and 29.5 inch Cooper tires .

[@richardatkinson4452]

Thanks Brucey.

[@Steven-gv1ke]

I've wanted a Subaru Forester or Crosstrek for so many years, but between bad head gaskets, oil consumption and weak windshields that cost $1,200 to replace because of the eyesight system, I can bring myself to take the risk. I wish Subaru would get their crap together.

[@bruceyyyyy]

Head gaskets aren't really an issue with any Crosstreks or Foresters with eye sight. I'm coming up on 100k miles on the factory windshield. Never relaxed any.

[@vincentwindels3752]

This is not really how to measure the benefit of removing/disconnecting the sway bars. You would've needed higher ramps when the sway bars were removed to gain on up travel. On my Forester on oem suspension, I had 27cm travel with the sway bars connected and 38cm without the sway bars, tire pressure 2,2bars. As my goal was getting maximum wheel travel, I opted for custom built HotBits coilovers and now I get decent wheel travel....60cm !

[@bruceyyyyy]

I was told to measure the way I did. Also, you have 60cm of travel in a Foz?

[@vincentwindels3752]

Yes, I can lift one wheel 60cm while the 3 others are still on the ground ! If you go on offroadsubarus and look at the HotBits thread, you'll find a few pics.

[@sagler9874]

​@@vincentwindels3752 although 4 years old comment, is there a way to get a more detailed response from you about the setup please? 🙏

[@scottmoore8080]

I really like you testing your Outback. Thank you. Have you had s chance to use your winch yet, for like pulling stumps, or other fun projects? S

[@bruceyyyyy]

I pulled some supports for a sun said straight with it. I pulled a mailbox out with it. I pulled the car off a pipe I got hung up on with it. Check out the Jeep video.

[@Doc1855]

I’d Love to put a 2” lift on my 19 Forester but I don’t know which one is the best and who can install it. Can anyone recommend or help point me in the right direction? I live in the Wenatchee. WA area of the USA. Thanks for whoever can help.

[@computerguru70]

Great vid Bruce, question this was pre IronMan AT yes? Do the same principles apply with that as in if you know you are going to tackle a moderate OHV trail and want full range, remove both front & rear?

[@bruceyyyyy]

Yup. Stock suspension here.

[@Emma_Anna1317]

What wheels are there? Look cool

[@Doc1855]

Maybe I’m stupid, but by removing the sway bar, doesn’t that allow the vehicle to lean more into corners?

[@camaroman101]

Yes especially in emergency maneuvers.

[@Stan_801]

Finally! Thanks bro😂

[@maynd6144]

Can’t wait for Death Stranding!!

[@bruceyyyyy]

I love you.

[@maynd6144]

🎮 👍🏼. I love Subaru’s too. Mine is almost 2. You gonna get the new turbo model?

[@bruceyyyyy]

I doubt it. I've been really happy with this car, even with its flaws.

[@maynd6144]

You’ve got the 6 though correct? Mine is the 4 and could use some additional power I feel.

[@bruceyyyyy]

@@maynd6144 The XT sounds right up your alley then!

[@gcbailey34]

What Falken tires are those? How well do they do in snow? Getting ready to start doing some mods to my '16 Outback.

[@bruceyyyyy]

AT3 Wildpeaks. I like them but not for snow. I have a video testing them showing the difference compared to a snow tire.

[@midwestoutdoors3286]

@@bruceyyyyy what size are the tires?

[@bruceyyyyy]

245/65/17

[@wim0104]

doesn't it also increase angles & wear on the CV axles?

[@bruceyyyyy]

The sway bar? No.

[@chriscovington304]

What lift kit do you have on it? Ready lift?

[@bruceyyyyy]

ADF 2"

[@swkohnle08]

Thanks for making this video. I have wondered in the back of my mind about whether disconnecting sway bars would make off road adventures better. But based on your demonstration, for the type of off-roading I do, not so much gained. I suppose out west where they have access to hundreds of square miles of BLM land, it might be beneficial. So, thanks man.

[@porsche558]

I constantly find myself arguing what Subarus are built for. For some idiotic reason people think that they should be able to buy any Subaru and then rock crawl with modified Jeep Wranglers. Then the comment trolls start with “But Subaru says they are go anywhere vehicles”. The world would function so much better if the average person had an IQ higher than that of a German Shepard.

[@bruceyyyyy]

The majority of people have an IQ between 90-110. I believe it.

[@porsche558]

@@mandingo9471 just to clarify, I own an Outback 3.6r and love it. I don’t get to go off road often but when I do I stick to trails and my Outback tackles them with ease. It is usually the Jeep crowd that I hear the complaints about Subaru from but again most people don’t understand that Subaru isn’t going after that exact market. I enjoy watching Brucey’s videos because he makes some cool mods that increase the cars off-road abilities.