Swaybar link dilemma...
12-15-2011, 02:36 PM
#1
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Swaybar link dilemma...
Hey y'all:
Installing my lift / tires today. 3" Full Traction and 315/75R16 DuraTracs on a '12 JKU, 4.5 backspaced rims. With the tires installed on the rear, the bolts for the swaybar links are REALLY close to the tires...too close for my comfort (see pics below).
I called Chris @ FT, and he says the links are designed to be bolted to the outside of the mounts. And moving them to the inside won't solve my problem; if on the inside, the bolt will hit the trackbar mounting bracket on the passenger side. On the driver's side, the bend in the rear swaybar itself still looks uncomfortably close to the tire. I've tried the links on the inside AND outside of the mounts, and tried sending the mounting bolts through from both the inside and outside, as well.
My options as I see it are this:
1. Buy spacers for the rear wheels. Would I have to buy them for all four, or only for the rear? The front wheels are fine, as is. Only clearance issue is @ the rear. Generally not a big fan of spacers in the first place, so I'm considering...
2. Removing the rear swaybar altogether. Not real fond of this, either, as the swaybar limits the roll of the rear...not sure how much it would affect the Jeep's handling, however. Rear swaybars are a fairly recent addition to the rear of most 4x4's anyway, aren't they? Could be totally wrong about this...
Anyone got some advice, or suggestions I haven't thought of?
Thanks for any help.
Installing my lift / tires today. 3" Full Traction and 315/75R16 DuraTracs on a '12 JKU, 4.5 backspaced rims. With the tires installed on the rear, the bolts for the swaybar links are REALLY close to the tires...too close for my comfort (see pics below).
I called Chris @ FT, and he says the links are designed to be bolted to the outside of the mounts. And moving them to the inside won't solve my problem; if on the inside, the bolt will hit the trackbar mounting bracket on the passenger side. On the driver's side, the bend in the rear swaybar itself still looks uncomfortably close to the tire. I've tried the links on the inside AND outside of the mounts, and tried sending the mounting bolts through from both the inside and outside, as well.
My options as I see it are this:
1. Buy spacers for the rear wheels. Would I have to buy them for all four, or only for the rear? The front wheels are fine, as is. Only clearance issue is @ the rear. Generally not a big fan of spacers in the first place, so I'm considering...
2. Removing the rear swaybar altogether. Not real fond of this, either, as the swaybar limits the roll of the rear...not sure how much it would affect the Jeep's handling, however. Rear swaybars are a fairly recent addition to the rear of most 4x4's anyway, aren't they? Could be totally wrong about this...
Anyone got some advice, or suggestions I haven't thought of?
Thanks for any help.
12-15-2011, 02:47 PM
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A real simple way to just get a little bit more breathing room would to be just turn the bolt around so its going the opposite direction, at least on the one side. Might give you enough to be comfortable with. I wouldnt worry too much about it.
12-15-2011, 02:52 PM
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Originally Posted by danmojo82
A real simple way to just get a little bit more breathing room would to be just turn the bolt around so its going the opposite direction, at least on the one side. Might give you enough to be comfortable with. I wouldnt worry too much about it.
12-15-2011, 02:58 PM
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If I just leave them, there is less than 1/2" of clearance btw tire and bolt on the passenger side, and even less clearance btw tire and the outward curve of the swaybar arm on the driver's side.
Forgot to mention: The Jeep is currently on a lift at a buddy's shop, till we install the new ds. So far I just bolted the swaybar links up on the rear w/it in the air...gonna try bolting it up and lowering to the ground tomorrow, see if that makes any difference.
But I'm skeptical; I mean, there is seriously very little clearance, and that's NOT taking into account some shock flex, which would bring the fattest part of the tire even closer to the bolts. The way it looks, ANY kind of inward flex of the wheel will cause contact. I wouldn't be concerned if the contact came at flat points on the swaybar links, but the way it's set up (pic on right in original post) the tire will hit the end of the bolt and probably get shredded.
Last edited by kwolf; 12-15-2011 at 03:01 PM.
12-15-2011, 03:00 PM
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Yours were tighter than that? It's hard to tell in the photos, but when my shocks compress the fattest (upper) part of the tires are gonna get even closer...we're talking 1/4", maybe even less.
12-15-2011, 03:19 PM
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You should block up the body and then let the rear axle drop as far as it can. This will show you how much room you really have because the axle will sway towards the passenger side pulling the driver side wheel towards the swaybar.
12-15-2011, 03:54 PM
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In my photos it's on a body lift. Pretty tight.
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12-15-2011, 04:11 PM
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This is what I'm seeing:
1) The endlinks should be on the outside of the swaybar AND axle mounts.
2) Bolts go from the outside inward. Then cut off the threads so the bolt is flush with the nut. (Seen that bolt on the swaybar end, with a few threads sticking out, snagging the hard brake line under full compression)
3) With the vehicle sitting under it's full weight, the swaybar, from the side view behind the tire, should be -3 to 0 degrees. Level being 0 degrees. A small level will work well for this. I have JKS adjustable endlinks, so this was easy for me.
4) I don't know if you have an adjustable track bar or a bracket or neither, to center your axle. An adjustable track bar is prefered.
I see your bumpstops, no problem there. 4.5" back spacing for your wheels is good. No problem with tire size. Just thinking outloud.
1) The endlinks should be on the outside of the swaybar AND axle mounts.
2) Bolts go from the outside inward. Then cut off the threads so the bolt is flush with the nut. (Seen that bolt on the swaybar end, with a few threads sticking out, snagging the hard brake line under full compression)
3) With the vehicle sitting under it's full weight, the swaybar, from the side view behind the tire, should be -3 to 0 degrees. Level being 0 degrees. A small level will work well for this. I have JKS adjustable endlinks, so this was easy for me.
4) I don't know if you have an adjustable track bar or a bracket or neither, to center your axle. An adjustable track bar is prefered.
I see your bumpstops, no problem there. 4.5" back spacing for your wheels is good. No problem with tire size. Just thinking outloud.
12-15-2011, 04:29 PM
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Originally Posted by kwolf
Hey y'all:
Installing my lift / tires today. 3" Full Traction and 315/75R16 DuraTracs on a '12 JKU, 4.5 backspaced rims. With the tires installed on the rear, the bolts for the swaybar links are REALLY close to the tires...too close for my comfort (see pics below).
I called Chris @ FT, and he says the links are designed to be bolted to the outside of the mounts. And moving them to the inside won't solve my problem; if on the inside, the bolt will hit the trackbar mounting bracket on the passenger side. On the driver's side, the bend in the rear swaybar itself still looks uncomfortably close to the tire. I've tried the links on the inside AND outside of the mounts, and tried sending the mounting bolts through from both the inside and outside, as well.
<img src="https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=250401"/><img src="https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=250400"/>
My options as I see it are this:
1. Buy spacers for the rear wheels. Would I have to buy them for all four, or only for the rear? The front wheels are fine, as is. Only clearance issue is @ the rear. Generally not a big fan of spacers in the first place, so I'm considering...
2. Removing the rear swaybar altogether. Not real fond of this, either, as the swaybar limits the roll of the rear...not sure how much it would affect the Jeep's handling, however. Rear swaybars are a fairly recent addition to the rear of most 4x4's anyway, aren't they? Could be totally wrong about this...
Anyone got some advice, or suggestions I haven't thought of?
Thanks for any help.
Installing my lift / tires today. 3" Full Traction and 315/75R16 DuraTracs on a '12 JKU, 4.5 backspaced rims. With the tires installed on the rear, the bolts for the swaybar links are REALLY close to the tires...too close for my comfort (see pics below).
I called Chris @ FT, and he says the links are designed to be bolted to the outside of the mounts. And moving them to the inside won't solve my problem; if on the inside, the bolt will hit the trackbar mounting bracket on the passenger side. On the driver's side, the bend in the rear swaybar itself still looks uncomfortably close to the tire. I've tried the links on the inside AND outside of the mounts, and tried sending the mounting bolts through from both the inside and outside, as well.
<img src="https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=250401"/><img src="https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=250400"/>
My options as I see it are this:
1. Buy spacers for the rear wheels. Would I have to buy them for all four, or only for the rear? The front wheels are fine, as is. Only clearance issue is @ the rear. Generally not a big fan of spacers in the first place, so I'm considering...
2. Removing the rear swaybar altogether. Not real fond of this, either, as the swaybar limits the roll of the rear...not sure how much it would affect the Jeep's handling, however. Rear swaybars are a fairly recent addition to the rear of most 4x4's anyway, aren't they? Could be totally wrong about this...
Anyone got some advice, or suggestions I haven't thought of?
Thanks for any help.
12-15-2011, 04:31 PM
#10
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This is what I'm seeing:
1) The endlinks should be on the outside of the swaybar AND axle mounts.
2) Bolts go from the outside inward. Then cut off the threads so the bolt is flush with the nut. (Seen that bolt on the swaybar end, with a few threads sticking out, snagging the hard brake line under full compression)
3) With the vehicle sitting under it's full weight, the swaybar, from the side view behind the tire, should be -3 to 0 degrees. Level being 0 degrees. A small level will work well for this. I have JKS adjustable endlinks, so this was easy for me.
4) I don't know if you have an adjustable track bar or a bracket or neither, to center your axle. An adjustable track bar is prefered.
I see your bumpstops, no problem there. 4.5" back spacing for your wheels is good. No problem with tire size. Just thinking outloud.
1) The endlinks should be on the outside of the swaybar AND axle mounts.
2) Bolts go from the outside inward. Then cut off the threads so the bolt is flush with the nut. (Seen that bolt on the swaybar end, with a few threads sticking out, snagging the hard brake line under full compression)
3) With the vehicle sitting under it's full weight, the swaybar, from the side view behind the tire, should be -3 to 0 degrees. Level being 0 degrees. A small level will work well for this. I have JKS adjustable endlinks, so this was easy for me.
4) I don't know if you have an adjustable track bar or a bracket or neither, to center your axle. An adjustable track bar is prefered.
I see your bumpstops, no problem there. 4.5" back spacing for your wheels is good. No problem with tire size. Just thinking outloud.
Overall, before the I put the wheels on...
Then here, after I took the entire swaybar off, you can see the trackbar mount...not sure even cutting off the last few threads on the swaybar bolt will keep it from making contact. It just looked...wrong.
All of these photos were taken with the Jeep up on a lift. Am I just overthinking things here? Maybe when I get the Jeep back on the ground and start tightening everything up, centering the axles and adjusting caster / pinion it'll work out okay. But man, it sure looked WAY too tight when it was up on the lift.