I tend to agree. I think that sway bars are sometimes just added because "it is the thing to do." I don't even have a FRONT bar on the Chickenhawk.
I read somewhere that a properly designed suspension shouldn't need sway bars.
They are good tuning devices though.
As for the original question, clamping the spring leaves in front of the axle shouldn't have too many negative effects. What it will do is effectively make the car a two link rear suspension with all of the springing done by the rear half of the leaves.
As I posted somewhere else, it will probably help with axle wrap and brake tramp too but I'm not sure.

<small>[ Edited by dimlight65 on 2002/6/25 7:58:27 ]</small>