removing rear sway bar

[jeeptorino68]

does removing the rear swaybar kill handling?
on my cherokee it had no side effects. but i was wondering if anyone had on the liberty and how it works out.

thanks

 

[tommudd]

I'd say at least 50% or more have theirs off the rear
No ill effects since they only connect the lower control arms

 

[Snail Farmer]

I know quite a few people here have removed it. I've heard some say there are no ill effects and I've heard some say it's noticeable when it's really windy. I haven't removed mine because it's always windy here in farm country but I'm curious as well.

Sent from my HTC One using the power of Mary's purse

 

[yellocoyote]

I do fine without mine.

 

[Luke]

I'm with Snail ... wind pushes me around enough without giving it any help.

 

[tommudd]

I've pulled a 6X10 enclosed trailer from Northwest Ohio to Boston and back, also to Orlando and back without mine on without any issues

 

[CzarKJ]

Pulled mine off last summer. Haven't felt any effects even in high wind that I can sense.

 

[Porkchop]

Best and cheapest mod I've ever done in fact I will say it handles even better now with it off, even in high winds. The body wants to flex in the wind and not get pushed. Now saying that I do have just over 4” of lift,don't know if it would be the same in the rear with a spacer lift like Daystar. I waited to long to do this was unsure like you but remember if you don't like it off just put it back on. Doesn't cost eney thing to try it. Lets us know your opinion after you try it.

 

[tjkj2002]

Haven't had a rear swaybar for 11 years on my KJ.

 

[profdlp]

Pardon me for interjecting a n00b question, but if the consensus is that you're better off without it why do they even put it on there to begin with? Liability and safety concerns?

 

[tommudd]

Pardon me for interjecting a n00b question, but if the consensus is that you're better off without it why do they even put it on there to begin with? Liability and safety concerns?

More or less I'd say that is the reason. If you look at the design of a KJs compared to a KKs even totally different. 99% of sway bars attach the rear diff/ lower suspension to the frame to prevent/control movement. BUT on the KJ the sway bar only bolts on to the lower control arms so does very little if anything to control body roll

 

[KJmurf]

Removed it yesterday after much deliberation, but decided to give it a try. Will enjoy the extra articulation when needed. Also "neutered" the drive shaft harmonic dampener.

 

[offroad cowboy]

Removed it yesterday after much deliberation, but decided to give it a try. Will enjoy the extra articulation when needed. Also "neutered" the drive shaft harmonic dampener.

Harmonic damper is that that big ugly thing attached to my axle is it required

sent by telegraph from my k30

 

[KJmurf]

Cowboy...as far as I can find, on this site, nobody has come up with a good reason to keep the extra weight. Plus, with it out of the way, it was much easier to remove the sway bar.

 

[tommudd]

Harmonic damper is that that big ugly thing attached to my axle is it required

sent by telegraph from my k30

Mine ( dampner) has been off for 7-8 years I think or longer

 

[CactusJacked]

I thought about removing the vibration dampener, but it's really not in my way. I'd be concerned that any vibrations it might allow by not having it on, even though you may not feel it, might put extra undue torsional pressure on the pinion bearings. I think the design of the dampener may be there more for the sake of the Jeep's rearend, not the drivers.

 

[tommudd]

When I had the 4.10s done , the gears and bearings still looked new on mine.
now with a load of miles on the 4.10s when I had it down a few months ago to check everything, all still looked brand new. I see no reason for the dampener at all . Over all mine has over 195,000 miles so if there were a issue I'd know by now

 

[CactusJacked]

Hey, I'm all for removing "useless spare parts" that car manufacturers like to put on, as much as the next guy.
Gotta wonder though why the designers put the dampener there. And I've seen them on other vehicles as well. Was it for "just in case" purposes perhaps, similar to wearing "overnight pants" for added safety? Not to embarrass anybody here, of course!! lol

 

[KJmurf]

...And I've seen them on other vehicles as well. Was it for "just in case" purposes perhaps, similar to wearing "overnight pants" for added safety? Not to embarrass anybody here, of course!! lol

That "Depends"...if engineers meant for everything to stay on...there would be no room for "modification".
I definitely see your point, but I also trust folks on this forum that have, "been there, done that...and bought the T-shirt." They have hosted the party for years and we're (I'm) just arriving fashionably late.

Holy crap...CactusJacked...our avatars look like the same KJ, only in different seasons...funny.

 

[profdlp]

That "Depends"...

:laughing1: :laughing1: :laughing1: