Modified XJ Cherokee Tech XJ (84-01)
All modified tech questions. If it modifies your XJ beyond stock parts ask it here.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Need to Stiffen Sway Bar Mounts

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Dec 31, 2017 | 07:41 PM
  #1  
bad_idea's Avatar
Thread Starter
CF Veteran
5 Year Member
 
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 1,820
Likes: 60
From: Pasquotank, NC
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default Need to Stiffen Sway Bar Mounts

I am sitting on 5" of lift w/ the stock sway bar and JKS disconnects. I have wheeled it once or twice with the sway bar connected and now the mounts on the axle housing are bent. I bent them straight again, then they bent again. It's time to stiffen/reinforce them. Looking for pics/suggestions on methods to stiffen them. Thanks all.
Reply
Old Jan 1, 2018 | 08:21 AM
  #2  
ElMartillo's Avatar
Senior Member
10 Year Member
Liked
 
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 935
Likes: 49
From: Nationwide, USA
Year: 89
Model: Cherokee
Engine: Renix 4.0
Default



Call me a simpleton, but why not utilize those fancy QDs? If the sway bar is disconnected there will be no pressure on the perches. No bending.
Reply
Old Jan 1, 2018 | 08:56 AM
  #3  
bad_idea's Avatar
Thread Starter
CF Veteran
5 Year Member
 
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 1,820
Likes: 60
From: Pasquotank, NC
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

I do, now. Unfortunately the metal has already been weakened. Just driving on the road it bends the mounts.
Reply
Old Jan 1, 2018 | 11:02 AM
  #4  
freegdr's Avatar
CF Veteran
 
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 47,923
Likes: 38
From: Broward County Fl.
Year: 1989 xj sport 2dr
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 12 hole bosch Injectors
Default

Longer arms.
Reply
Old Jan 1, 2018 | 12:10 PM
  #5  
bad_idea's Avatar
Thread Starter
CF Veteran
5 Year Member
 
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 1,820
Likes: 60
From: Pasquotank, NC
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

Care to elaborate? Perhaps a picture?
Reply
Old Jan 1, 2018 | 01:13 PM
  #6  
Rogue4x4's Avatar
::CF Administrator::
Premium Member
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 14,479
Likes: 805
From: Blunt, South Dakota
Year: 97
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.6 stroker
Default

Just ditch the swaybar.
Reply
Old Jan 2, 2018 | 09:04 AM
  #7  
SexyDexy's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 134
Likes: 2
Model: Cherokee
Default

There's several aftermarket one available if you do a Search...here's some examples:

http://zoneoffroad.com/zone-offroad-...wrangler/j5203

https://www.jcroffroad.com/product/SBRM.html
Reply
Old Jan 3, 2018 | 02:39 PM
  #8  
freegdr's Avatar
CF Veteran
 
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 47,923
Likes: 38
From: Broward County Fl.
Year: 1989 xj sport 2dr
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 12 hole bosch Injectors
Default

Originally Posted by bad_idea
Care to elaborate? Perhaps a picture?
Longer ?
Attached Thumbnails Need to Stiffen Sway Bar Mounts-sway-bar-disconnects_1128-basev2.jpg  

Last edited by freegdr; Jan 3, 2018 at 02:49 PM.
Reply
Old Jan 4, 2018 | 01:22 AM
  #9  
TRCM's Avatar
CF Veteran
 
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 1,242
Likes: 41
From: Newport News, VA
Year: 96 & 88 4 dr Cherokees
Default

or do like I did, and make some drop brackets to continue using your stock end links, just drop them down 3" or so and move them forward ~1 1/2"
Reply
Old Jan 4, 2018 | 07:08 PM
  #10  
bad_idea's Avatar
Thread Starter
CF Veteran
5 Year Member
 
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 1,820
Likes: 60
From: Pasquotank, NC
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

I have the JKS quick disconnects. I set the sway bar at the appropriate angle (12 degrees IIRC). The issue is the axle mounts keep bending. I hammer them straight again, and then the bend again. The passenger one bent bad enough I couldn't get the disconnect to slide off the stud. That was a PITA.

I plan to keep the sway bar. I notice the difference driving it, and do not like it. I imagine evasive maneuvers will be sketchy at speed. Cant control some jack *** pulling out in front of me. Also, state inspection requires it. Come spring I'll fab up some kind of reinforcements. Was just looking for ideas if others had done this.
Reply
Old Jan 4, 2018 | 07:24 PM
  #11  
4.3L XJ's Avatar
CF Veteran
 
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 6,588
Likes: 495
From: Chico, CA
Year: 1986
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.3L with headers and full 3" exhaust system
Default

First thing I would do is ditch the instructions and let the axle droop fully. If there is more travel needed because the sway bar is as far down as it can go or is just maxed out, then you would need longer links. Then figure how high the bar will go at full stuff. A little trial and error needed, but that is how you need to figure it out for any lift
Reply
Old Jan 4, 2018 | 08:25 PM
  #12  
TRCM's Avatar
CF Veteran
 
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 1,242
Likes: 41
From: Newport News, VA
Year: 96 & 88 4 dr Cherokees
Default

Originally Posted by bad_idea
I have the JKS quick disconnects. I set the sway bar at the appropriate angle (12 degrees IIRC). The issue is the axle mounts keep bending. I hammer them straight again, and then the bend again. The passenger one bent bad enough I couldn't get the disconnect to slide off the stud. That was a PITA.

I plan to keep the sway bar. I notice the difference driving it, and do not like it. I imagine evasive maneuvers will be sketchy at speed. Cant control some jack *** pulling out in front of me. Also, state inspection requires it. Come spring I'll fab up some kind of reinforcements. Was just looking for ideas if others had done this.
Passed the state inspection a few times without it connected.....no problems....and this wasn't a good buddy hooking me up either.


.
Reply
Old Jan 9, 2018 | 01:36 PM
  #13  
investinwaffles's Avatar
CF Veteran
 
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 2,097
Likes: 12
From: Tarpon Springs, FL / Denver, CO
Year: '98
Engine: 4.0 I6
Default

Originally Posted by bad_idea
I have the JKS quick disconnects. I set the sway bar at the appropriate angle (12 degrees IIRC). The issue is the axle mounts keep bending. I hammer them straight again, and then the bend again. The passenger one bent bad enough I couldn't get the disconnect to slide off the stud. That was a PITA.

I plan to keep the sway bar. I notice the difference driving it, and do not like it. I imagine evasive maneuvers will be sketchy at speed. Cant control some jack *** pulling out in front of me. Also, state inspection requires it. Come spring I'll fab up some kind of reinforcements. Was just looking for ideas if others had done this.
I have the same issue, my passenger side mount is either bent or somehow FUBAR because I can no longer get the disconnect off the stud, it hits the steering stabilizer bracket on the axle when trying to remove it.

I think I am going to weld in some sway-bar brackets that are built for long-arm kits, like the Synergy or Zone ones;
http://zoneoffroad.com/zone-offroad-...wrangler/j5203

They will raise the lower stud by 2" so it will clear all the suspension. I also have the JKS Quicker Disconnects and would likely have to shorten the shaft to get quick disco's to be short enough to work without having to buy the ones designed for 0-2" of lift

Originally Posted by 4.3L XJ
First thing I would do is ditch the instructions and let the axle droop fully. If there is more travel needed because the sway bar is as far down as it can go or is just maxed out, then you would need longer links. Then figure how high the bar will go at full stuff. A little trial and error needed, but that is how you need to figure it out for any lift
It honestly just sounds like his bracket is bent like mine. Mine travels just fine, but I can't get the sway bar to disconnect on the pass side (hits the stabilizer bracket as I stated above). I have to hit the bracket with a hammer to get it straight again, but it happens again in 500-1000 miles on its own (no real offroading either)

It is probably my fault for bombing up some fire-trails without first disconnecting the front axle
Reply
Old Jan 9, 2018 | 01:56 PM
  #14  
Stroked98Xj's Avatar
Junior Member
 
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 97
Likes: 0
Model: Cherokee
Default

Is it possible to simply reinforce the axle mounts? Make a near-identical copy of the arm and cut it out of 3/16 and weld it to the existing mount? Or a piece of re-bar welded to the existing mount, spanning from the axle tube to the eye hole?
Reply
Old Jan 9, 2018 | 02:06 PM
  #15  
investinwaffles's Avatar
CF Veteran
 
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 2,097
Likes: 12
From: Tarpon Springs, FL / Denver, CO
Year: '98
Engine: 4.0 I6
Default

Originally Posted by Stroked98Xj
Is it possible to simply reinforce the axle mounts? Make a near-identical copy of the arm and cut it out of 3/16 and weld it to the existing mount? Or a piece of re-bar welded to the existing mount, spanning from the axle tube to the eye hole?
Alot of offroad fab shops make them, the Synergy ones look nice but don't come with gussets


Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:41 AM.