Swaybar link dilemma...
12-18-2011, 10:17 AM
#21
JK Enthusiast
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Dela Where?
Posts: 318
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
12-18-2011, 11:29 AM
#22
JK Super Freak
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Parksville, British Columbia
Posts: 1,030
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I went with JKS and they gave me enough room. I called Joe and he did everything he could, I rode for 6 mos without the sway bar. ESP was on more than I liked. I wouldn't run with it disconnected. Call FT and see what they come up with. If not call Northridge and tell David what you are experiencing and he will spin his magic.. lol.. Good luck - added photos for comparison.
Attachment 251310Attachment 251312Attachment 251313Attachment 251314Attachment 251315
Attachment 251310Attachment 251312Attachment 251313Attachment 251314Attachment 251315
12-20-2011, 03:00 PM
#23
JK Enthusiast
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Phoenix AZ
Posts: 125
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Sway Bar Link
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.
Attachment 250401Attachment 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.
Attachment 250401Attachment 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.
Down the road I will install 35" tires with less backspacing on the new wheel. That should provide adequate clearance. I will then reverse the links.
12-21-2011, 03:14 PM
#24
JK Freak
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Linden, VA
Posts: 522
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
That's what I'm thinking. Gonna have to call FT again in the a.m. and see...When I bought the lift (I've got the 3" premium plus) I told Steve, their engineer, what tires I was gonna run and he said no problem. But that was almost 2 months ago (DT's were on backorder forever.)
I'm either gonna have to get spacers or run without a rear swaybar. Probably try to figure out which one is the lesser of two evils.
Thanks for the help folks.
I'm either gonna have to get spacers or run without a rear swaybar. Probably try to figure out which one is the lesser of two evils.
Thanks for the help folks.
12-21-2011, 03:59 PM
#25
JK Enthusiast
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Appleton, WI
Posts: 193
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Yup. Temporary retardation on my part. Once I put it on the ground, centered the axles and did an alignment, everything lined up the way it was supposed to. The original problem was perceptual...I had my rig on a lift, and my axle was kicked way over to the passenger side, which was causing my swaybar links to be much closer to the tire than they would normally be on the ground, under load, and with everything adjusted.
You provided more help than you know.
Thanks.
Pic from the day after I figured everything out:
You provided more help than you know.
Thanks.
Pic from the day after I figured everything out:
Last edited by kwolf; 12-21-2011 at 04:03 PM.
12-21-2011, 04:16 PM
#26
JK Enthusiast
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Appleton, WI
Posts: 193
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
12-21-2011, 05:27 PM
#27
JK Super Freak
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Parksville, British Columbia
Posts: 1,030
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I'm glad it worked out for you. I had the same problem just a week before you but I am using the 6" BS stock wheels without spacers. Now that's a tight fit! You can do it with 33" tires as long as they are no wider than 285mm. I also had to lower the track bar by 1" and shorten the links by 1".
12-21-2011, 06:04 PM
#28
JK Enthusiast
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Appleton, WI
Posts: 193
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I'm glad it worked out for you. I had the same problem just a week before you but I am using the 6" BS stock wheels without spacers. Now that's a tight fit! You can do it with 33" tires as long as they are no wider than 285mm. I also had to lower the track bar by 1" and shorten the links by 1".
I feel your pain. Stock rims would've eaten my swaybar links, probably even if I did the mods you described.Your advice helped me...so, thanks.