Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here XJ (84-01)
All OEM related XJ specific tech. Examples, no start, general maintenance or anything that's stock.

Rear sway bars=useless

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jan 11, 2012 | 07:47 PM
  #1  
oldschoolXJ's Avatar
Thread Starter
Seasoned Member
 
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 270
Likes: 0
From: parkesburg, pa
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default Rear sway bars=useless

So I know that the front sway bars are necessary for on road driving, but is the rear sway bar even do anything? I hear some people say its useless but others say to keep it on because it stops rear swinging. Is the rear sway bar useful or useless?
Reply
Old Jan 11, 2012 | 07:50 PM
  #2  
jmm0122's Avatar
Registered Users
 
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 2,660
Likes: 2
Default

Useless.
Reply
Old Jan 11, 2012 | 07:55 PM
  #3  
ol'DixieJeep's Avatar
CF Veteran
 
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 1,467
Likes: 2
From: Warrenton MO
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.7L I6
Default

useless...

if your a skilled driver the front can go too but its more dangerous.

dont wanna start that argument lol

but the rear is pointless...
Reply
Old Jan 11, 2012 | 08:00 PM
  #4  
Gatchmo5710's Avatar
CF Veteran
 
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,209
Likes: 3
From: st.george utah
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: l6 4.0
Default

ditch the both of them. i couldnt tell the rear was gone. front made it handle way differently.
Reply
Old Jan 11, 2012 | 08:47 PM
  #5  
Jarrett's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 823
Likes: 0
From: Raleigh,NC
Year: 1992
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L HO
Default

I ditched both of mine also. You relearn how to drive it.
Reply
Old Jan 11, 2012 | 09:12 PM
  #6  
Zack92MJ's Avatar
CF Veteran
 
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 2,460
Likes: 0
From: Dayton, Ohio
Year: 1992
Model: Comanche
Engine: 4.0
Default

I've driven both stock and with 4.5" lift with out sway bars for about 4 months stock and almost 2 now lifted. Not have has any problems, just don't try and drift everywhere and you'll be fine. And don't act like an little sophomore who just got there car either.. all and all, you'll be fine.
Reply
Old Jan 12, 2012 | 11:17 AM
  #7  
oldschoolXJ's Avatar
Thread Starter
Seasoned Member
 
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 270
Likes: 0
From: parkesburg, pa
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

Ok I'm gonna get front disconnects but looks like the rear is goin tonight
Reply
Old Jan 12, 2012 | 11:27 AM
  #8  
Gee oh Dee's Avatar
CF Veteran
 
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 21,168
Likes: 5
From: Milwaukee, WI
Year: 1987
Engine: Check
Default

I haven't run either sway on mt XJ since its been mine.

Some say the rear is nice to have for towing, but I cannot confirm as I have never used it.
Reply
Old Jan 12, 2012 | 12:26 PM
  #9  
ol'DixieJeep's Avatar
CF Veteran
 
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 1,467
Likes: 2
From: Warrenton MO
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.7L I6
Default

i pulled a triple axle trailer with my jeep not too long ago without swaybars and it was fine. trailer was BEEEEEFFFFF! for moving big earth movers... ol dixie did fine with it, the 4.7 made a huge difference!
Reply
Old Jan 12, 2012 | 12:37 PM
  #10  
xj_maniac_newb's Avatar
CF Veteran
 
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 6,322
Likes: 6
From: Summerville, Ga
Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 2.5 4 cyl.
Default

If your suspension is stiff theres not THAT big of a difference. However on a very flexy suspension (such as my buddys 00), its pretty noticeable and can be kinda scary really. I can think of more than a few times that we've got the jeep on 2 wheels from having to swerve or hitting a turn just a little too hard. And he's only had it for a little less than a year. In other words, if you like to drive fast and recklessly keep on the front swaybar. Drive like you have common sense or keep them on. Theres a reason they use swaybars on JeepSpeed jeeps.
Reply
Old Jan 12, 2012 | 12:58 PM
  #11  
junior3382's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 506
Likes: 1
From: Rapho Township, PA
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L straight Six
Default

I lost the rear before I even lifted it....LOL.... now becareful about these guys saying to ditch the front as well..... The front is an inspection item in most states, esp here in PA, and the front is the axle with the most movement. If you are going to do a lot of on road driving, the front really should stay....

but yeah, ditch the rear, its useless.
Reply
Old Jan 12, 2012 | 11:12 PM
  #12  
Firehawk068's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 731
Likes: 3
Default

Rear sway bar on a leaf spring vehicle doesn't do much. As it is, the factory rear sway bar on a Cherokee can be twisted very easily by hand.
The leaf springs themselves are anti-twist by design also, and help fight body roll in the rear.
I ditched the rear sway bar on mine when i did the lift, and can't tell it's even gone.
The friction of the leafs against each other will also dampen suspension movement, which will hide symptoms of worn out shocks, so check yours while you are under there.

keep your front sway bar if you drive it daily.........ALOT more body roll will happen if you remove the front one.
Disconnect it for extreme wheeling, but keep it.
Reply
Old Jan 12, 2012 | 11:54 PM
  #13  
cdawall's Avatar
CF Veteran
 
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,381
Likes: 0
From: EAFB, SD
Year: 1994
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 HO
Default

Been running neither for a while now. It is a DD and have yet to have issues out of it. You can tell the front is disco'd, but I know that I am driving a tall skinny SUV and not a sports car.
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
southfloridajeeps
Modified XJ Cherokee Tech
32
Mar 4, 2023 01:10 PM
RickJames Bish
Trail Reports
15
Jul 27, 2016 03:51 PM
John T
Modified XJ Cherokee Tech
20
Sep 6, 2015 09:05 PM
ROCKRIDGE 4WD
Vendor Showcase
0
Sep 3, 2015 05:29 PM
jay_sco
Wanted
0
Sep 2, 2015 06:46 PM

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:24 PM.