disconnecting the front swaybar

Troysterr · **Posted:** Wed Jul 20, 2005 1:51 am

I've followed this thread with interest, because I've been impressed with the offroad capability that you get from disconnecting the front sway bar, but I haven't ever taken the time to do it.

Now I'm worried...I have to assume that disconnecting the sway bar altogether is just as dangerous as using any quick disco device, right? So, for those guys at Moab that disconnected when they arrived and didn't reconnect until the end of the event, how fast could they safely drive? It seems like I remember some guys, including Clint and Wally, driving back to town at 40-45 mph. How much safer is that than, say, 65 mph?

This seems pretty important. I considered disconnecting my sway bar when I arrived in Moab, but didn't. I ended up driving back to SLC in the middle of the event. What if I had removed the sway bar and had then forgotten or chosen not to reattach it before driving 80 mph on the freeway to SLC? Kinda scary...

skrracing · **Posted:** Wed Jul 20, 2005 2:46 am

OK guys last answer on this for me.. Troy is right. It is no better to drive disconnected, or without a sway bar, or anything like that. Yes I have done it and yes so have some other guys. I know that the camber changes tons without a sway bar or disco unpinned. I also dive when I am in Moab the entire time at 16-18 PSI in my tires. BUT. I know not to go fast, I know I am aired down, and I also know I have the pinned removed.

But even if the pinned sway bar I have failed in a turn I would bite the big one just like everyone else. There would be nothing I could do to save it. A huge camber chnage would be VERY bad. matter of fact I would even go as far as to say that it would be better to run without a sway bar then to have one fail. At least you would go into the turn with the camber already out of wack not in the turn and then everything goes crazy.

SO HERE IS THE MAIN POINT I AM TRYING TO GET ACROSS AGAIN...

if you run ANYKIND of device that has not been tested, proven to hold up to the forces that are applied to the front sway bar.....and you are driving at freeway speeds in a turn... WHEN THE DEVICE FAILS... YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE to react fast enough to correct the huge camber change and you will crash. I just dont know of any other way to say it. That goes for any device. Let me say that again...any device that lets the camber change like that.

Do not put any device on your sway bar that has not been tested and you know the guys that made it are sure of the loads the sway bar is seeing. Believe me we know what we are talking about and we do not want to see have any problems. we looked at end loads of the sway bar the center loads and all kinds of stuff before we did anything.

The KJ front end is not like any other jeep so dont even think you can talk about what would happen on any other jeep other than the new Grand. yes you can still remove the end links if you like but the sway bar is going to beat the upper and lower control arms. You can not do this like any other jeep (again except for the new Grand).

Maybe I should take a different approch here and just say... make a judgement call on this for yourself...But keep in mind...know what you are doing when you add a device, be sure that it as been tested, and be very safe.

Another example was a new lift that was coming out a while back. man it was the hot ticket. A few of us had seen it in person and some of the parts that was being used. We did not want to beat the company down because it was unproven yet but we ask that guys might not want to ruch off and buy that kit. Turns out one of the very first guys has over 10000 dollars in the set-up and to date it is not up 100%

Just be careful guys...that is all some of us are saying. It's not just me talking here. there are some other guys that know this as well and I know some of you might think I am just trying to be a jerk about this. I am not. I just want to see any LOST members get LOST for good.

Again. the moderators have the control over this site. This site is one of the few that have as many moderators. if they want to delete this post then fine...if they want to delete part of.. it fine. Then delete any of my post as well..not a problem.

I look at some of the other sites and 1 guys has complete control over the entire site... that is not even close to the case here. Matter of fact I am not even a moderator. We sent out messages to all the old ones from the old site and all but a couple replied.

if anyone wants to know how it feels...go pull your sway bar off. very carfully drive it over to a huge parking lot and do even some slow quick turns and see how it feel. Now that that info and apply it to driving at freewway speeds and then make a few turn like that...(dont really do that)...Just imagine how bad that would be. Then on top of that imagine the camber changing as you are turning and it is going to fight you the entire time. again if you try this just do the slow part in a huge parking lot and you will see how it feels with no front sway bar....but do not go fast as all to do this. Try it guys and I am sure a lot of you will be posting that you understand now.

Again...Just be safe out there...Lets all make all the National runs that clubs are doing...I hope to see you all again in Moab 2006 discoed or not we are all going to have a blast. later...Clint

Troysterr · **Posted:** Wed Jul 20, 2005 1:44 pm

Thanks, Clint, that helps.

I did notice that you and Wally (and others) drove pretty slow from the trails to the campground, and I wondered what your problem was.

Edvalencia · **Posted:** Wed Jul 20, 2005 5:14 pm

There really is no need to disconnect the swaybar for moderate trails.
If you plan on doing a tough trail and want to disconnect it, just remove it.

There are 6 bolts that you have to take out. It takes less than 10 minutes to do this.
You can then STRAP IT DOWN on the floor in front of the back seats. (you don't want that thing flying around should you happen to roll it)
At the end of the trail, it takes less than 10 minutes to bolt the swaybar back on.

I've driven around in Moab with no front sway bar and it's scary. If some jerk cuts you off and you have to swerve, it just ain't gonna be pretty.

Ed

1stJeepKJ · **Posted:** Wed Jul 20, 2005 6:26 pm

I know that removing the swaybars can help offroading with articulation. I just wanted to let you all know that I've done Poison Spider and Golden Spike Trail (only up to the launch pad, got too late in the day to go farther) with both front and rear swaybars connected and I didn't have any difficulty at all. No wheel spin, no tires in the air. Those are pretty moderate trails with some difficult spots. I'm just stating that the KJ can do a lot before you really need to disconnect.

I'm with Clint, just be smart, know your jeep and how it's going to act, and most of all everyone be safe!

chefdab · **Posted:** Thu Jul 21, 2005 1:04 am

Can we put this to rest now?

disconnecting the front swaybar

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