sway bar removable

CarNutCertifies · **Posted:** Wed Sep 28, 2005 3:05 pm

Ok i am sure this has been asked several times. What is the reason for removing the rear swaybar? What are the handleing differences that i may experence? And is it advisable to do this with my 500 + mile a week drive to and from work?

Skyjump136 · **Joined:** Tue Jul 05, 2005 6:50 pm **Posts:** 1633

Removing the swaybar provides for more flex. This can help you to keep your wheels on the ground if you are doing some crawling (rocks, moguls, etc).

I took mine off last week for the first time and didn't notice any difference in the onroad handling. I'm not sure there was much benefit either though. I guess I'd have to find an articulation ramp and get some before and after measurements.

lilmatty · **Posted:** Wed Sep 28, 2005 3:52 pm

I wouldn't remove it unless I had a lift and bigger tires; 245s. With that combo I don't notice any on raod handling differences but it sure makes a big difference off road!

CarNutCertifies · **Posted:** Wed Sep 28, 2005 4:01 pm

ok so remove after lift improves rear flex wont hurt ride. any cons?

lilmatty · **Posted:** Wed Sep 28, 2005 4:08 pm

Haven't found any cons after 12 months drivng this way.

Eddo · **Joined:** Thu Jul 07, 2005 7:01 pm **Posts:** 1214

Not that I'm questioning anyone, but how does the rear sway bar removal increase flex. Does it allow it to flex to full compression and droop without as much force.

I have the RSX17004's in the rear. I can easily put one side on the bump stop and have the shock fully extended on the other side w/ the rear sway bar connected. Seems to me as if the shocks and the bump stops are the limiting factor in rear articulation. And that is with out any extended bump stops either.

lilmatty · **Posted:** Wed Sep 28, 2005 4:50 pm

I actually had the rear tire rub the fender well with my stock rims and 245 MTRs. Didn't get that before...

Guyute1210 · **Posted:** Wed Sep 28, 2005 5:15 pm

I took mine off, and still dont have a lift. Labor Day weekend i went out Saturday with some buddies and did some light wheeling, a lot of Woop-de-dos (tee-hee :wink:

) and such, and took the sway bar off for the next day, and i could see much improvement. For example, I would end up with a rear tire in the air during a couple obstacles, and after taking it off, both rear tires stayed on the groud through the same obstacles. I didn't feel any difference during on road driving, except when taking turns on some of the back roads a bit fast, i could feel the back end lift up a bit on the inside, during the turn, nothing that takes the tires off the ground. Just my experiences...

CarNutCertifies · **Posted:** Wed Sep 28, 2005 5:28 pm

Great i will take it off once i get my lift and tires. I was worried that it might affect the on road handling and i drive to many miles to chance any stability affecting issues.

Eddo · **Joined:** Thu Jul 07, 2005 7:01 pm **Posts:** 1214

Hmm, that is what I though, but I don't see an improvment in articulation. Maybe the bushing in my control arms are shot or something, because I see full extention and compression with or without it on. Only thing I can think of is that it requires less force to accomplish full compression and full droop on opposite sides.

Skyjump136 · **Joined:** Tue Jul 05, 2005 6:50 pm **Posts:** 1633

Eddo, I'm kind of with you on this one. The rear end with the skyjacker springs flexes like crazy no matter if the bar is on or off.

I'm too lazy to put it back on though. :lol:

vxla · **Posted:** Wed Sep 28, 2005 6:46 pm

Not having a swaybar is dangerous. If you don't know why you need one, please please please leave yours on. We don't want anyone ending up dead when they try to make a quick turn.

Eddo · **Joined:** Thu Jul 07, 2005 7:01 pm **Posts:** 1214

vxla wrote:

Not having a swaybar is dangerous. If you don't know why you need one, please please please leave yours on. We don't want anyone ending up dead when they try to make a quick turn.

We are talking rear sway bar.

Skyjump136 · **Joined:** Tue Jul 05, 2005 6:50 pm **Posts:** 1633

Yeah, Jeep even sold their "Up Country" XJs without a rear I believe. If it were a big safety concern that would have never happened.

Like I said, I feel no difference at all with mine off (good or bad).

FreedomKJ · **Posted:** Wed Sep 28, 2005 8:43 pm

I haven't had a rear swaybar sice Moab in April, and I drove at 70-80mph all the way back to Texas. I don't think Clint, Wally or JJ have had rear swaybars for years.

Eddo · **Joined:** Thu Jul 07, 2005 7:01 pm **Posts:** 1214

Skyjump136 wrote:

Eddo, I'm kind of with you on this one. The rear end with the skyjacker springs flexes like crazy no matter if the bar is on or off.

I'm too lazy to put it back on though. :lol:

I think the rear of the KJ just flex like mad no matter what.

AdamIsAdam · **Posted:** Wed Sep 28, 2005 9:30 pm

I have Rusty's suspension lift. I get full flex (stuff my 245's up against fender flares on one side and other side just about off ground yet fully extended) with teh rear bar on.

I actually get a LOT of articulation. Much more than a friend with a different lift on his KJ. I think my RTI ramp # was around 690 or so. On the trail, I RARELY pull a rear wheel off the ground where that other lifted KJ does all the time. We both have bars on.

Is it a different in lifts?
Is it a build tolerance difference?
Is my KJ just better than his?

Who knows. But i'm not taking mine off. Don't see a need and don't want to risk needing that bar for on-road manners (maybe in an emergency lane-change or something).

Just my .02 worth.

jpzkj · **Posted:** Wed Sep 28, 2005 11:59 pm

Although your KJ will handle a little differently w/out the rear sway bar, it's not as dangerous as having the front removed (which is a VERY bad idea).

I've personally seen a KJ towing an adventure trailer on the highway at roughly 70mph make a very eratic evasive manuver without any trouble at all...(the driver is a highly skilled KJ pilot however

)

My wifes Daily Driver has no rear sway and adj. trac bars.....not one complaint at all in about 20K...however it does steer less precise compaired to with the stock parts in place.

With the skyjacker coils /adj.trac bars and no rear sway, I had to bumpstop the rear end due to rubbing in the fender wells

As with any modification....do it at your own risk..and knowing the dangers involved

Good Luck...

CarNutCertifies · **Posted:** Thu Sep 29, 2005 12:27 am

well I wouldnt take the front off no matter what. unless it was a trailer queen and strictly a rock buggy or something like that. I have just heard alot of ppl talking about removing theirs and was just curious about the advantages of removing it maybe when i get my lift i will experiment and see if i get better articulation. sounds like it is lift and year specific as to results so i will do the old trial and error method. I thank you guys for all the great advice.

vxla · **Posted:** Thu Sep 29, 2005 9:08 am

Freedom: Yes, but you guys know the consequences. But if a person doesn't know why they are taking it off, chances are they shouldn't take it off.

Trust me, I've been driving around disco'ed front and rear cuz my pin broke for my quick disco in the front. I've gotta fix that

sway bar removable

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