Howdy Folks,

Last few times I've been out wheeling, I've noticed an occasional metal-on-metal drivers side sound as the suspension cycles through compression. Further inspection shows fresh metal on a bolt head. Looks as if my sway bar is contacting the frame...

Six months ago (2k miles) I replaced my sway bar bushings and track bar (Moog OEM equivalent). Also did my TREs and drag link. Lots of wheeling since then, and no issues until two weeks ago.

I think my sway bar end link bushings are toast, but could that really be the culprit? This seems like a geometry issue. Even on the ground at ride height, the sway bar seems to be pushed too far towards the passenger side.

Photos attached, apologies for poor lighting. "Chaffed" torx bolt head visible in second photo. No lift and no changes from stock.

 

Springs could be worn out hard to tell on a stock XJ that old.

 

Curious how that would impact sway bar position?

Or should the sway bar not travel that far?

Has 104k miles and front ride height is ok.

 

That part of the sway bar would travel up more into the body frame because the worn out springs would not hold it up/away as they are supposed to do.

Springs is the first place I would look. Even if they sit at the correct height when idle, the springs could still be worn down and compressing too much under stress.

 

Even though it may be my springs, I did some measuring.

On the drivers side:
Sway bar to frame clearance is 1/4". Not enough to clear bolt head.

On the passengers side:
Sway bar to frame clearance is +1/2". Lots of room.

There is a +1/4" disparity. I think my sway bar isn't centered.

 

Check and see if the axle is centered, maybe hit in the side at some point in time, or bad track bar or something. Mine hit the bolt heads of the frame tie ins for my aftermarket bumper on both sides so I just slightly ground down the heads so it would pass it without hitting.

 

Has never been hit. I was a young kiddo sitting in the back seat when it drove off the lot. Track bar is new as of 2k miles ago, but is a possibility worth exploring.

What are good measuring points to check if the axle is centered?

 

inside edge of rim to frame, or inside of tire to frame