while changing the shocks on my '74 kombi just noticed the stabaliser bar was snaped at the left hand clamp. just wondering how important is it? where can i find a replacement in the gold coast area and are they expensive? cheers scotte

Never had to replace one, so not sure what's involved in replacing???
Most wreckers in Brissy will have one on a parts bus (Micks Motors, Action Auto, Harding European etc).
As for whether it's needed, it will stop the bus leaning too much in corners. Could be dangerous if you try going through a corner too fast, or with a lot of high weight (roof rack etc).
Good luck,
Andy

cheers keep you all posted on our travels

you'll just get more body roll without it.

I don't have any stabiliser bars on my Baja. They reduce suspension travel (articulation anyway) offroad so it is best to remove them on an offroad car. It just means you get body roll like a land rover (not that bad actually)

Brad might have one floating around, he has wreck a few kombi's in his time. email him at brad@offroadvw.net . He's nowhere near the gold coast area though

[Edited on 15-5-2003 by Baja Wes]

I replaced mine a couple of months ago (it had snapped in the same place as yours - apparently it's quite common).

I picked up a second hand one from my local VW mechanic with the rubber blocks still on it - they'd be a pain to take off and put back on.

Taking out the old one and fitting the new one was quite easy, from memory it goes like this:

On each side you remove the bolt, and then you have to get the clip off the bottom of the metal clamp that goes around the rubber block. You get the clip off by straightening the end of it out by hitting it with a big hammer and a blunt cold chisel (it's easier to swing the hammer if the bus is up on ramps). Make sure you're straightening the correct end of the clip, it's tapered so when you slide it off the clamp you'll need the wide end straightened. Use the hammer to help slide the clip off.

Now you use the cold chisel (or a very big screwdriver) to force the clamp apart so it's not gripping the rubber block.

Once you've got the clamps loose on both sides you can take tho broken bar out with the rubber blocks still on it.

Then stick the new bar in, force the clamps back together, slide the clips back on (use the hammer), bend the ends of the clips so they won't work loose (use the hammer) and put the bolts back.