rear sway bar / helper leafs - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

sactoC10 · 11-15-2003, 12:17 PM

OK, this is sort of a few questions/comments all mixed up into one. I've seen several forms of helper leaf springs added to trailing arm trucks, but I just saw a pair that is not a multi leaf set-up, but a mono-curved helper leaf (one per side).

If a mono leaf could be mounted so that it did not apply pressure, except under load or when cornering, wouldn't it act the same as a sway bar?

**N2TRUX** · 11-15-2003, 12:27 PM

Yes, if that truly is how it works. An "anti" sawy bar is nothing more than a torsional spring. When you aren't applying force to either end, it doesn't do anything but sit there.

Since it is fixed in the middle, if you apply a force on one end, it applies the same force on the oppiste end to conteract body roll.
If your leaf assist was configured to apply the same type of force, it would work the same as an "anti" sway bar....

SWEET7T · 11-15-2003, 02:04 PM

Your helper spring idea will work in close relation to a sway bar. N2TRUX has a very good explaination. Here is one problem though. Your helper springs will help keep the rear suspension from compressing, but NOT from drooping. Say you make a hard left turn; your right springs will want to compress because of body roll. They will have a harder time doing so because of your helper springs. Your left springs will want to extend because of the less weight druing the turn, a helper spring will not keep that from happening.
A sway bar will work better than halper springs simply because that is what it was designed to do. As you already know, it ties each side of the suspension together and tries to make it go up and down at the same time. You have a good thought going there. Don't get me wrong, your helper springs will help the problem of body roll, but just not as much as a sway bar would.
Just remember that your rear end will also ride stiffer with the helper springs when you mount them so that they are always in contact with the rear axle so that your idea will work.

sactoC10 · 11-15-2003, 03:00 PM

What if they were not mounted in constant contact, or say if there were large bushings installed between the contact points?

Just thinking, still...thanks.

11-15-2003, 12:17 PM	#1
sactoC10 71 DELUX Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Northern CA / Sac Posts: 1,055	rear sway bar / helper leafs OK, this is sort of a few questions/comments all mixed up into one. I've seen several forms of helper leaf springs added to trailing arm trucks, but I just saw a pair that is not a multi leaf set-up, but a mono-curved helper leaf (one per side). If a mono leaf could be mounted so that it did not apply pressure, except under load or when cornering, wouldn't it act the same as a sway bar?

11-15-2003, 12:27 PM	#2
N2TRUX Happy to be here Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Cypress, TX Posts: 39,021	Yes, if that truly is how it works. An "anti" sawy bar is nothing more than a torsional spring. When you aren't applying force to either end, it doesn't do anything but sit there. Since it is fixed in the middle, if you apply a force on one end, it applies the same force on the oppiste end to conteract body roll. If your leaf assist was configured to apply the same type of force, it would work the same as an "anti" sway bar.... __________________ Follow me on Facebook and Instagram @N2trux.com Articles- "Jake" the 84 to 74 crewcab "Elwood" the77_Remix 85 GMC Sierra "Scarlett" "Refining Sierra"

11-15-2003, 02:04 PM	#3
SWEET7T Try spinnin 4 rear tars Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Salt Lake City, Utah Posts: 757	Your helper spring idea will work in close relation to a sway bar. N2TRUX has a very good explaination. Here is one problem though. Your helper springs will help keep the rear suspension from compressing, but NOT from drooping. Say you make a hard left turn; your right springs will want to compress because of body roll. They will have a harder time doing so because of your helper springs. Your left springs will want to extend because of the less weight druing the turn, a helper spring will not keep that from happening. A sway bar will work better than halper springs simply because that is what it was designed to do. As you already know, it ties each side of the suspension together and tries to make it go up and down at the same time. You have a good thought going there. Don't get me wrong, your helper springs will help the problem of body roll, but just not as much as a sway bar would. Just remember that your rear end will also ride stiffer with the helper springs when you mount them so that they are always in contact with the rear axle so that your idea will work. __________________ SWEET7T 1970 C10, 2wd, LB, 307/TH350/3.08. PS, PB

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11-15-2003, 03:00 PM	#4
sactoC10 71 DELUX Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Northern CA / Sac Posts: 1,055	What if they were not mounted in constant contact, or say if there were large bushings installed between the contact points? Just thinking, still...thanks.



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