Sway Bar links

MojaveKJ · **Posted:** Mon Dec 28, 2009 3:07 am

How often do the sway bar links on a KJ go bad? I've done a bunch of searching and reading on front end noises and I think I may need to replace these now too. Some members have done them twice and some at younger mileages than mine. I know they sell fairly cheap and I'm trying to get ready for a run this week so should I just replace them? My fear is that my noise is caused by the other thing I'm reading about in posts...the CVs. Gulp.

Maybe I've never heard it until now due to the other front end noised I was having... :?:

In the last 2 weeks I've replaced the LCA bushings, LBJs, clevis bushings, rack and pinion with new bushings, wheel bearing hubs and installed JBA UCAs so I feel safe ruling those out as the cause of this noise I'm hearing now. Believe me, all those parts were needed and the Jeep feels much better on the road and the noises I was hearing have lessened. This weekend I re-checked all the bolts from the front end work and all are tight.

I guess I need to get back under the Jeep ASAP and see about excessive play in the front drive shafts; so is there a way to check to see if I need the sway bar links as well? I can see that the bushings on the links are pretty warn.

Any advice or experiences or etc... would be very much appreciated.

Thank you LOSTers and HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

tommudd · **Posted:** Mon Dec 28, 2009 7:10 am

MojaveKJ wrote:

How often do the sway bar links on a KJ go bad? I've done a bunch of searching and reading on front end noises and I think I may need to replace these now too. Some members have done them twice and some at younger mileages than mine. I know they sell fairly cheap and I'm trying to get ready for a run this week so should I just replace them? My fear is that my noise is caused by the other thing I'm reading about in posts...the CVs. Gulp.

Maybe I've never heard it until now due to the other front end noised I was having... :?:

In the last 2 weeks I've replaced the LCA bushings, LBJs, clevis bushings, rack and pinion with new bushings, wheel bearing hubs and installed JBA UCAs so I feel safe ruling those out as the cause of this noise I'm hearing now. Believe me, all those parts were needed and the Jeep feels much better on the road and the noises I was hearing have lessened. This weekend I re-checked all the bolts from the front end work and all are tight.

I guess I need to get back under the Jeep ASAP and see about excessive play in the front drive shafts; so is there a way to check to see if I need the sway bar links as well? I can see that the bushings on the links are pretty warn.

Any advice or experiences or etc... would be very much appreciated.

Thank you LOSTers and HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

I think you have answered your own question

MojaveKJ · **Posted:** Mon Dec 28, 2009 10:19 am

Thanks for the speedy reply Tom. So it it likely the CV? Or the worn bushings on the sway bar links? Sorry, I don't get what you are referring to in my original post. The noise I hear is metal-on-metal and is mainly heard going over dips and bumps and is only heard on the passenger side. Does this really sound like a CV problem? I really don't want to take it in to the shop just for this diagnosis.

If it is the CV, is it easier/faster to replace the whole drive shaft on that side? If it's the links, what about going with the JBA quick disconnects instead? I think I can handle either repair but the diagnosis is always an issue for me.

Thanks again Tom, it seems you are usually the first to reply to many posts here and with good useful info.

KJ04 · **Posted:** Mon Dec 28, 2009 10:49 am

Since you're only hearing a metalic noise on dips and bumps I'd say CV's are not your problem.
Did you cut out the lip on the front pocket when you installed the JBA A-arms? If not, that could be the noise you're hearing.

Please define your noise better, is it a metalic clunk/clank or grinding noise???

tommudd · **Posted:** Mon Dec 28, 2009 11:27 am

You stated that it looked like your sway bar bushings were worn so thats what I was referring to. It could be that which is more of a squeak going over bumps, could be like KJ04 stated or
could be the CVs if it is a more constant noise at a certain speed or speeds

describe more what you here, when and what type of roads or turning etc

MojaveKJ · **Posted:** Mon Dec 28, 2009 12:07 pm

OK I should have done that before I guess.

The sound is only heard in the right front, it sounds like a bolt is loose...like a clank but with more of a "tinny" sound to it. It is mostly heard when going over bumps but also on larger dips. Also it is much more prominent when I'm on the brakes while going over a bump or while turning left, putting the right front under load and going over a dip or bump. I checked the various front end mounting bolts I removed to do the work last weekend and all are tight.

From what I know of CVs (VW Rabbits mostly) it is not a CV noise. There is no speed variance, in fact there is no noise at all except going over bumps. Also just a hard turn left or right does not cause the noise. I could chalk this up to new suspension parts settling in but it sounds like more than that to me.

Could the LBJ have been damaged when it was pressed in?

I know these "I hear a noise" issues are difficult to troubleshoot on the 'board so I appreciate all the good input; I should be able find at a solution...without going to the dealer.

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Mon Dec 28, 2009 10:05 pm

MojaveKJ wrote:

The sound is only heard in the right front, it sounds like a bolt is loose...

Tighten the the swaybar end link bolts,real tight,100lbs-ft at least.If that does not cure it time to pull the strut assembles back off and make sure the top strut nut is tight and that the big washer is located right beneath that top strut nut.

yodejt02 · **Posted:** Mon Dec 28, 2009 10:54 pm

I had the same problem after I had my lift installed. Checked every bolt could not figure it out. Sound only happened on speed bumps ect. drove me nuts. It was only after I had someone watch me go over some bumps that we figured out it was the sway bar links not torqued good enough. Easy and cheap fix!!!!

MojaveKJ · **Posted:** Tue Dec 29, 2009 2:58 am

OK, good stuff...thanks for the advice. After installing a new sway bar link on the right tonight I used a 1/2 inch Craftsman breaker bar and 18mm impact socket to tighten the upper and lower bolts as tight as I could get them. In the morning I'll have to get out the torque wrench and make sure I made it to 100 ft/lbs; and check the left too. If that's all it is I'll be thrilled. :BANANA:

I do not want to believe it is a shock bolt or strut mounting plate bolt that is loose. I had my lift components installed by a very reputable shop for the very reason that I didn't want any issues with it if I installed it myself. I went back and forth on if I should do it myself or not but finally decided that the expertise, and peace of mind that comes from hiring those who have it, was worth the money they charged.

I asked before but... could the LBJ have been damaged when it was pressed it? I greased the UBJs and LBJs after I got the front end back together but maybe not enough?

Well... if I can't solve this in the next 2 days I guess I'll spend New Years Day removing and checking the strut on that side instead of gong out with the LOST SoCal folks on the Hangover Run.

If it is a loose shock bolt, can I just torque it down or are the threads under the bolt going to be damaged from sliding up and down for the last...oh...6 months or so? If it is this loose bolt I guess my only consolation is that my work was sound.

Thanks again to all!

MojaveKJ · **Posted:** Wed Dec 30, 2009 11:19 am

Solved...! This issue was in no way caused by the lift install. The work of the local shop is solid.

So I put on new sway bar links last night and tightened the #@*&% out of them and... voila. No more clunk over bumps/dips!

Thanks to all for the information!!!

KJ04 · **Posted:** Wed Dec 30, 2009 3:42 pm

Yay!

Sway Bar links

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