rsaunders80
Test Drive
- Location
- Atlanta, GA
I'm trying to engineer a solution to the front sway bar on the Nissan. You can pretty easily access the end links and disconnect them, but there isn't room to rotate the sway bar out of the way of the front suspension. Most sources agree that a center disconnect is the best option but haven't provided a way to make this happen.
Not sure if it will pan out, but I have a concept I think is worth considering and seeing what input others can provide. See attached PDF file for for the concept and note there are two pages. The idea is to cut out a section of the Xterra sway bar and weld in some splined axle segments (cut from a full size axle). We can then used compatible side-gear splines and clamping collars to connect and disconnect the sections. If this works, we should be able to access this assembly from the oil opening in the skid plate and remove one bolt to slide the assembly off the splines.
One goal was to use some generally available pieces and things I can find dimensional information about. I'll probably go to the junkyard soon and see if I can grab the following parts to start testing:
Concept Notes/Questions/TBD Items:
1. Fit-up of the axle shaft stub inside of the sway bar is TBD. Sway bar inside diameter isn't something I've found
2. Are OEM Xterra sway bars hollow? If not, a butt-joint weld will be required and likely more difficult to get straight.
3. How tight are splines inside of side gear?
4. Is sufficient clearance available between sway bar and frame for the side gear diameter (roughly 4" total).
Links:
Collar: https://www.globalindustrial.com/p/two-piece-clamping-collar-g2sc-112-b
Axle Info: https://www.markwilliams.com/axles-schmaxles.html
Ebay Axle shaft: https://www.ebay.com/itm/363930942324?hash=item54bbf97b74:g:TIoAAOSwdz9eBVnF&amdata=enc:AQAHAAAAoIc77LLDPRsgqR7FPtWexgi7J5GFE/sISUZNke+w2iKj1pxsjOxaTcVFkkuK1wu0UvOiGMfkGsqkrs7yly6qXPozJ3E0YgIx79w8deSwrwqTZ3u7FxD39EkzTERLUSY2pXeN5g461IWUJG15jllQ/k0E0rK83Gy2WIdaKpcof/iP9DGnkYh0Lue1x7bTxgoAiaZo4RDsA/LbOA8SjsHboag=|tkp:Bk9SR-zO3cfnYA
I welcome input and ideas, especially if anyone has information on the sway bar.
Not sure if it will pan out, but I have a concept I think is worth considering and seeing what input others can provide. See attached PDF file for for the concept and note there are two pages. The idea is to cut out a section of the Xterra sway bar and weld in some splined axle segments (cut from a full size axle). We can then used compatible side-gear splines and clamping collars to connect and disconnect the sections. If this works, we should be able to access this assembly from the oil opening in the skid plate and remove one bolt to slide the assembly off the splines.
One goal was to use some generally available pieces and things I can find dimensional information about. I'll probably go to the junkyard soon and see if I can grab the following parts to start testing:
- Xterra front sway bar (need to cut open, don't want to use mine as a test) ($30)
- (2) GM rear axle shafts for 7.5" rear end - 26 spline (~$40 each junkyard or ebay)
- (1) GM side gear for 7.5" rear end - 26 spline. ($22 junkyard price)
Concept Notes/Questions/TBD Items:
1. Fit-up of the axle shaft stub inside of the sway bar is TBD. Sway bar inside diameter isn't something I've found
2. Are OEM Xterra sway bars hollow? If not, a butt-joint weld will be required and likely more difficult to get straight.
3. How tight are splines inside of side gear?
4. Is sufficient clearance available between sway bar and frame for the side gear diameter (roughly 4" total).
Links:
Collar: https://www.globalindustrial.com/p/two-piece-clamping-collar-g2sc-112-b
Axle Info: https://www.markwilliams.com/axles-schmaxles.html
Ebay Axle shaft: https://www.ebay.com/itm/363930942324?hash=item54bbf97b74:g:TIoAAOSwdz9eBVnF&amdata=enc:AQAHAAAAoIc77LLDPRsgqR7FPtWexgi7J5GFE/sISUZNke+w2iKj1pxsjOxaTcVFkkuK1wu0UvOiGMfkGsqkrs7yly6qXPozJ3E0YgIx79w8deSwrwqTZ3u7FxD39EkzTERLUSY2pXeN5g461IWUJG15jllQ/k0E0rK83Gy2WIdaKpcof/iP9DGnkYh0Lue1x7bTxgoAiaZo4RDsA/LbOA8SjsHboag=|tkp:Bk9SR-zO3cfnYA
I welcome input and ideas, especially if anyone has information on the sway bar.
Attachments
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