Is it bad to let the rear end hang by the end links?

toy4everyseason · **Posted:** Tue Aug 05, 2014 2:28 am

I've noticed that with the OME rear springs with 2 extra isos on each side & iron man long travel shocks that if I try to jack up the rear of the Jeep at the body that the rear end starts to hang by the rear sway bar end links so I stopped. With the end links disconnected the shocks allow so much travel that the springs become completely decompressed and the brake lines are fully extended. Is it a bad idea to allow the rear end to hang by the end links or should I reconsider my rear shocks choice or add limiting straps at the shock mounts?

silverkk · **Joined:** Mon Feb 04, 2013 12:27 pm **Posts:** 637

Allow it to hang by end links that's what they are for the limit travel so you have less body roll when turning

Bmxer524 · **Posted:** Tue Aug 05, 2014 12:49 pm

I never bothered extending the rear sway bar links. I'm getting there, just lack the funds right now. I don't see a problem really. Like silverkk said, the sway bar is supposed to stop too much flex and body roll.

toy4everyseason · **Posted:** Tue Aug 05, 2014 6:15 pm

And that was what my next step was going to be... extending the sway links. Just not sure how much longer I'd need w/o decompressing the springs & stressing the brake lines. Fun math time

Bmxer524 · **Posted:** Tue Aug 05, 2014 6:36 pm

toy4everyseason wrote:

And that was what my next step was going to be... extending the sway links. Just not sure how much longer I'd need w/o decompressing the springs & stressing the brake lines. Fun math time

Get extended brake lines. That will solve the brake line worries. Do the springs get unseated and have the potential to drop out if you disconnect the sway bar? If not, then not much to worry about other than extending them for the height of your lift.

lfhoward · **Posted:** Tue Aug 05, 2014 8:26 pm

JBA extended sway bar links are worth it, if a bit pricey. The ride with the 4 inch lift improved a lot when the link/sway bar angle was no longer maxed out.

In terms of the rear axle hanging by the links, I agree this is what they were designed for! It prevents brake line damage and springs from popping out with over-extension. You should still extend your brake lines with JBA links. I haven't yet, but I plan to because the brake lines are maxed out when the rear axle is hanging by the JBA links. I won't be doing any serious off-roading until I get the brake lines extended. On street is ok for now because they won't see that kind of flex.

tommudd · **Posted:** Tue Aug 05, 2014 8:32 pm

lfhoward wrote:

JBA extended sway bar links are worth it, if a bit pricey. The ride with the 4 inch lift improved a lot when the link/sway bar angle was no longer maxed out.

In terms of the rear axle hanging by the links, I agree this is what they were designed for! It prevents brake line damage and springs from popping out with over-extension. You should still extend your brake lines with JBA links. I haven't yet, but I plan to because the brake lines are maxed out when the rear axle is hanging by the JBA links. I won't be doing any serious off-roading until I get the brake lines extended. On street is ok for now because they won't see that kind of flex.

Was just getting back on here to post about the same thing you did. Glad you explained it out for them after what we found while installing yours. I think the extended sway bar links would be a must with the 3.5-4 inch lift.

Installing those on the KK is the same as loosening up your belt and pants at Thanksgiving dinner , feels so much better :wink:

lfhoward · **Posted:** Tue Aug 05, 2014 9:51 pm

tommudd wrote:

lfhoward wrote:

JBA extended sway bar links are worth it, if a bit pricey. The ride with the 4 inch lift improved a lot when the link/sway bar angle was no longer maxed out.

In terms of the rear axle hanging by the links, I agree this is what they were designed for! It prevents brake line damage and springs from popping out with over-extension. You should still extend your brake lines with JBA links. I haven't yet, but I plan to because the brake lines are maxed out when the rear axle is hanging by the JBA links. I won't be doing any serious off-roading until I get the brake lines extended. On street is ok for now because they won't see that kind of flex.

Was just getting back on here to post about the same thing you did. Glad you explained it out for them after what we found while installing yours. I think the extended sway bar links would be a must with the 3.5-4 inch lift.

Installing those on the KK is the same as loosening up your belt and pants at Thanksgiving dinner , feels so much better :wink:

Ha ha!! Love the thanksgiving analogy. It works!

Tom installed my extended links at Mudd's Garage about 8 months ago. IMO, JBA's 4 inch lift kit should come with the extended links by default. Of course when I first got my lift he didn't make them yet.

silverkk · **Joined:** Mon Feb 04, 2013 12:27 pm **Posts:** 637

If your gonna make a set a links the sway bar is supposed to me at a 90 angle from the links when they bolt up I personally have no rear sway bar there's no need for me to spend that cash right now it drives great without it and flexes a doo doo ton only thing I have to do is extend the brake lines

toy4everyseason · **Posted:** Wed Aug 06, 2014 3:37 pm

The plan was to buy a set of stock end links, cut them, thread them & use a coupler to adjust length. Anyone have a how to for the longer rear brake lines? I usually try to shy away from opening the brake system since I'm terrible about getting all the air out but it probably good insurance before messing with sway links.

huntb · **Posted:** Wed Aug 06, 2014 4:34 pm

I made my own out of tj/jk link parts for half the cost of the JBA links. There should be a thread around here somewhere...

HERE: http://www.lostjeeps.com/forum/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=88&t=78439&p=826015&hilit=sway+bar+links#p826015

Is it bad to let the rear end hang by the end links?

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