xj1

Hello. I just bought a 96 cherokee with a 3 inch lift 31" tires front sway bar is still there and the rear is gone. The problem I am having is that when I drive down the road it feels like Im swaying in a sense. Like my wife said it like we are on a boat. I checked the ball joints, bearings, tie rod, drag link and all end links. Pitman feels tight. Everything is fine. All bushings are good. The only thing I havnt changed yet is the steering dampener. What does anyone think that it could be or I could check. Thanks!

Bustedback

Could just be squirmy tires. A 31" tire is a lot taller than a 225-75-15, plus you have a lift on the Jeep too, the center of gravity is now higher than stock.

xj1

I would agree. If you change anything from stock you may have more issue than normal. But this issue comes and goes. This may sound like a stupid question but im a newb with xj's and stock to me suspension. What is the correct install of the swaybar extension brackets down to the axle? I want to make sure its on right. Thanks

troy fritz

If your talking about the sway bar links then they should be straight up and down.No lean to them.

caged

check your tires, seems they may be crowned.

xj1

Im thinkin its my tires now too. Talked to the guy who I bought the jeep from and he said it had been sitting for a about a year before I bought it! Oh the stuff you find out!! Anyway I think the tires are just old and flat spotted so I will replace those soon! Thanks and now off to look at some good all around 31's, possibly 33's and some trimmimg!!

Rock Toy

Check sway bar bushings, mine were shot.

Tankerblade

If its swaying too much, check the shocks to see if theyre still good..

2Evil4U

This.

CAEMI

Mine does the same thing...not really sway, but a sensation that it's wiggling a bit more than it should. Mine seems to emanate more from the back than the front. I have decided it is because of the leaf spring shackles.

In MY car (I'm saying the "sway" I feel in my XJ, not yours...it might not be identical) I've felt tire squirm due to weak sidewalls and this is not the same. I've felt weak shocks and this is not the same. I'm thinking the longer shackles give it some wiggle room. It also could be sway bar bushings but mine LOOK fine. Don't know whether looks are deceiving or not but they look OK.

If you learn anything new on this, let me know.

BTW, mine only displays this sway behavior some of the time. On certain roads, it is distinct...on others, NADA.

xj1

It does sound like we have the same issue. It happens on certain roads or times. I am tho gonna change shocks since these are about 10 years old.

CAEMI

Tell me what happens...if that's all it is, I'll be relieved.

xj1

Update: I did a few things this last week. First I replaced all the shocks with some rancho 5000's and also repalced the steering dampener. While I was there I changed out the sway bar bushings. Today I put a set of 33" yokohama geolander AT on that I had that were some take offs from my yj. After all of that she drives nice now! I need to get an alignment to cure the little bit left and to straighten the steering wheel! Also Ive concluded that my lift is a little more than 3 inches. I think its aound 4-4.5" lift. My fenders were already trimmed so the 33s fit nice.

mcssls

straighten the wheel yourself, cheap and easy.

xj1

I just read on how to do that! Im gonna do that tonight! Thanks!