Hey guys ... I am new to the forum and relatively new to DIY repairs (although I recently swapped out my gas tank on my own). I drive a 1996 XJ with about 170K miles on it.


I was coming home from work and when I would make sharp right turns (i.e., at intersections), I heard this loud "jackhammer" thumping sound coming from around my rear right wheel well.


When I got home I took off the tire and it looked like the sway bar link on that side had completely snapped off its mount, and the bracket had cracked too (see picture)


So my question is ... do you think that this would be causing the terrible sound down there? I would hate to replace that just to have the sound still going on from something else ...


Thanks in advance !!




Blurry, sorry, but you can see how the bracket is cracked and the bushing has separated, and the bar has cracked off the mount

 

Just take the whole sway bar and end links out entirely. You really don't need a rear sway bar in theses Jeeps at all.

 

And yes that would defiantly make some noise lol

 

Thanks for the quick response, I kept seeing that on other forums. Why don't you need a rear sway bar on these XJs? Does taking it off make a difference at all?

 

It might make a slight difference in the amount of body roll when cornering but it won't be noticeable. A lot of trucks with live rear ends don't come with rear sway bars at all

 

No taking it off will not make a noticeable difference when talking REAR sway bar...


Most / many guys remove them as soon as the lift the jeep. I broke BOTH of my rear say bar links a couple weeks ago out rallying on some muddy, rocky trails. Didn't notice until I got back on pavement and got some horrible noises. Removed the sway bar and all is well. No noticeable difference once removed for me on highway or otherwise.