sway bar

[Hodge]

I pulled my sway bar off this evening, because the paint coating put on at the factory was peeling off, and looked rough. Is there any good, practical reason to put it back on? I haven't driven it since taking it off, but my old 51 Willys doesn't have one, and it drives fine (although it certainly hasn't been tested at high speed). Your input is always appreciated!

[Mean Max]

I keep hearing (around here) that you should put it back on, and to be honest, I agree.

However, I just finished an SOA conversion on my wife's '93 YJ, and the new "high steer" steering linkage snapped off one of the disco lock pins, thereby disconnecting the sway bar. Until I came up with a new lock pin arrangement that wouldn't interfere with the steering arm, we drove it around a couple of days without the sway bar hooked up. Personally, I could tell no difference with it attached, or disconnected.

All things considered, I did hook it back up, and I would probably advise anyone else to do the same.

Just my $0.02 worth.

[tater'sTJ]

On a leaf spring suspension, you can generally get by without the sway bar. You will notice more roll through the corners, and it may be a little "twitchy" at speed, but it is a condition that you can probably live with.

I had an old CJ-7 that also never had a sway bar. It was fine. It also would only do about 60mph...

[4bob4]

You will just get more body roll especially on things like off-ramps etc. I've also heard that if you are in a wreck not having a sway bar attached can get you fingered in the fault of the accident. That being said I haven't had mine hooked up in years. My rear springs are pretty stiff though.

[tater'sTJ]

Originally posted by 4bob4:
I've also heard that if you are in a wreck not having a sway bar attached can get you fingered in the fault of the accident. ding dang lawyers!!

[OhioYJ]

I haven't had a sway bar or track bars on my YJ in a long time, and mine has no problems with the highway. Take it out for a drive, don't be out hot-rodding it around, it will drive a bit differently, so take a moment to get used to it. My springs couldn't get much softer, and my rig leans but its never felt unstable.

I've also heard that if you are in a wreck not having a sway bar attached can get you fingered in the fault of the accident.How many people would actually know there was supposed to be a sway bar there? That'd be a quite a stretch to make that one stick in court.

[4bob4]

Originally posted by OhioYJ:
How many people would actually know there was supposed to be a sway bar there? That'd be a quite a stretch to make that one stick in court. I agree for sure. Not even sure if there is any truth to it just one of those things you hear in passing and it sticks in your head.

[The Duke]

Haven't had front sway bars or a rear track bar for several weeks now. You definately notice a differance in handling, but like anything, you get used to it.

I have dissconects, but haven't actually installed them yet and I'm not sure if I will or not.

[OhioYJ]

I have dissconects, but haven't actually installed them yet and I'm not sure if I will or not.I thought about getting disconnects, but really I'm just lazy and don't want to have to fight with disconnecting and re-connecting the sway bar everytime I go off-road. Just easier if I don't have a sway bar at all.

[GPER]

I put the REE 4.5 YJ springs with shackle reverse, no sway bars on my CJ , it drives ,handles better than it did when I bought it new

[4bob4]

I've been poking around just taking mine out for a long time now because it's been disconnected so long. It's been bungied to the frame rail for years. Another minus to the sway bar at least on CJ's is that one time I didn't disconnect it and was out Muddin with my friends hit a large bump and uh-oh no more breaks!!!! It sheared my brake lines off at the frame. Of course it was as i was going through a huge mud puddle and couldn't see out the windsheild that was a scary time. Anyone else have this problem.

[OhioYJ]

Why is your sway bar just tied to the frame, take it off? :D

[The Duke]

Originally posted by 4bob4:
It's been bungied to the frame rail for years. Now there's a thought. Mine is zip tied up.
I fought for many hours with my rear track bar, but was only able to disconnect the axle side of it. The frame side isvery stubborn and sent me though dozens of grinding wheels and it still isn't off. It is zip tied up as well.
I'll have to fix that temporary fix.......someday.

[luckeeluke]

I like running a sway bar in the front of my Jeep on the road. It just feels better/safer to me. I can definitely tell when it is not connected on the road. I typically disconnect them for the trails. Many people run without sway bars.

Kinda like "should you run a track bar in a YJ?"

[Matt87YJ]

I'm running no swaybar up front and no trackbar out back. I do still have my trackbar up front though, it rides better without them so take them off.

[RYDHRD]

I have had my Sway bar off for about a month and a half, and I notice the difference, but nothing to bad. I mainly only use it for just jeepin' around town and/or offroad, so it is not a big deal for me.

I was thinking about putting it back on, but don't think I am going to now.

[4bob4]

I've seen some good TJ 3-wheeling around corners showing off. cool looking stuff.

[Hodge]

Thanks, guys. I drove it a bunch today, and I live in the mtns. of Va. I didn't find any appreciable difference in how it drives. My Jeep is pretty tight, so I would imagine that if my bushings or springs were really worn, it would make more difference. Either way, I think that I will paint it and eventually put it back on. I can be kind of retentive, and it bugs me to have pieces off my Jeep. Again, thanks.

[Mean Max]

So just consider it a gas saving, weight reducing, performance mod then, if it'll help you sleep!

:D :D :D

[4bob4]

Originally posted by OhioYJ:
Why is your sway bar just tied to the frameA long time ago I lost one of the pins never got another and it's been disconnected ever since.