Manual Swaybar Disconnect (non-Rubicon models)

[doojer]

So, in another thread we got to discussing manually disconnecting the swaybar on stock, non-Rubi JK models. Since wayoflife was kind enough to help me do it the first time around, I figured I'd share that info with the rest of you that are still stock and looking to disco. It is super easy, shouldn't take more than 10 or 15 minutes and the articulation gained is well worth the time spent! Just make sure that you reconnect and tighten everything before you get back on the highway.

All you need is 2 wrenches for the bolts and 2 small bungee cords. I use a 3/8 drive ratchet with a 3/4 socket and an 8" adjustable wrench. I believe an 18mm wrench would replace the adjustable, if you have one on hand. Click on any of the pics for links to bigger versions.

1) Make sure you are on flat ground and have the Jeep sitting as level as possible. The more level the Jeep, the easier the bolts will be to get out.

2) Lie down under the Jeep and find your swaybar link. (PIC 1)

PIC 1:

http://my.project-jk.com/data/500/medium/IMG_9807.jpg (http://my.project-jk.com/showphoto.php?photo=2368&ppuser=9)

3) Loosen and remove the bolt using the 2 wrenches. (PIC 2) The nut will come off easily, but the bolt will usually take some time and effort to completely remove, depending on how level the ground is. (WOL tip: If you are having issues, have someone bounce up and down on your bumper as you loosen the bolt, which will help it along.)

PIC 2:

http://my.project-jk.com/data/500/medium/IMG_9811.jpg (http://my.project-jk.com/showphoto.php?photo=2371&ppuser=9)

4) Once the bolt is removed, stow it (along with the nut) someplace safe like the glovebox.

5) Rotate the sway bar link ball joint so that the link is pointing up and wrap a bungee cord around the neck. Then attach one end of the bungee cord to the top of the coil retainer cup (PIC 3) and the other to the area of the grill just behind the parking light. (PIC 4) This should secure your swaybar link so that it is upright and out of the way. (PIC 5)

PIC 3:

http://my.project-jk.com/data/500/medium/IMG_9809.jpg (http://my.project-jk.com/showphoto.php?photo=2369&ppuser=9)

PIC 4:

http://my.project-jk.com/data/500/medium/IMG_9810.jpg (http://my.project-jk.com/showphoto.php?photo=2370&ppuser=9)

PIC 5:

http://my.project-jk.com/data/500/medium/IMG_1202.jpg (http://my.project-jk.com/showphoto.php?photo=2162&ppuser=9)

6) Repeat on the other side. The bolt on the 2nd side will be easier to remove, since you have already removed the first bolt and released the tension on the swaybar.

7) Enjoy your increased articulation!

http://my.project-jk.com/data/510/medium/IMG_1334.jpg (http://my.project-jk.com/showphoto.php?photo=2334&ppuser=9)

Again, be sure to reconnect and tighten everything before you get back on pavement. I don't claim to be an expert, so feel free to offer additions or corrections-- and, of course, use this write-up at your own risk! :D

[nam6869usmc]

Matt, Great write-up now it's all covered.....I think the Picture of your JK up on the Rock ends the story perfectly(Articulation + Level JEEP) looks great.
Disconnect at no cost:2thumbs:

[fraynes1]

Thanks for the writeup:D

A noobie like me really needed this info. and not to many off roaders that I know of here in town:naw:

[007divegirl]

Very informative and great clear pics of the process. Now I think I can handle this. Thanks for taking the time to do the write up.

[CLACKEY(_!_)]

Sooooooooooooo. You bringing the wrenches on Thursday?

[John L]

I thought I saw (somewhere) pins you can replace the bolts with, they secure with some sort of clip.....anybody else see these?

Great write up, thanks for the info!!

[doojer]

I thought I saw (somewhere) pins you can replace the bolts with, they secure with some sort of clip.....anybody else see these?

Great write up, thanks for the info!!I think you are talking about wayoflife's write-up for homemade discos (http://www.4x4xplor.com/homediscos.html). :yup: The details are a tiny bit different, since the write-up is for a TJ, but the overall principal should work fine for a JK. Just make sure to read the note at the bottom of the write-up page about checking the pins for wear and replacing them as necessary.

[Piginajeep]

I thought I saw (somewhere) pins you can replace the bolts with, they secure with some sort of clip.....anybody else see these?

Great write up, thanks for the info!!
most lift kits come with quick disconnects as well...:yup:

[edstroyer]

This should definitely be a Sticky...

Anyone one know the torque-specs for re-installing the Sway-Bars?

Also, some “Safety Advice”... Use safety glasses when working under the vehicle. I got smacked dead on the forehead by a small rock that fell from somewhere under the JK while installing my bumper this weekend. Ouch! :thinking:

[John L]

I think you are talking about wayoflife's write-up for homemade discos (http://www.4x4xplor.com/homediscos.html). :yup: The details are a tiny bit different, since the write-up is for a TJ, but the overall principal should work fine for a JK. Just make sure to read the note at the bottom of the write-up page about checking the pins for wear and replacing them as necessary.

Yep, that was it.....I'm curious now, W.O.L. stated that he had a failure, was it a shear or tensile failure? Were the pins case hardened?

Thanks!!

[John L]

most lift kits come with quick disconnects as well...:yup:

Thanks, I wasn't aware of that.....

[Jeephrog]

Thanks Doojer! I am hitting the trails in a about an hour and will do this when I get there! I had some problems last time I was out where it would have been really nice to have both front tires on the ground and not one way up in the air.

[floridamud]

One thing you want to be careful with is when you tie those up be sure to use a heavy duty tie strap and not a bungee cord. The bungee has a beeter chance of coming undone.

[Newtybar]

Wow....just came across this. I am going to try it out.

You've never disconnected before? :crazyeyes: I thought you were pro!

....I think zip ties work well. Just carry a bag of em.

[ADX 08]

Can The Rear Sway Bar Be Disconected To Or Is This Not Recomended?

[cadmanaz]

Can The Rear Sway Bar Be Disconected To Or Is This Not Recomended?

It can be. I'm relatively new here, but the info I've read is that the rear sway bar has plenty of flex in it to negate the need to disco.

For me, though, I can feel that it's more stiff with it connected. My problem is 1) there's no quick disconnects for the rear, and 2) I can't get it disconnected in the first place - I think I need some type of impact wrench. Unless I'm doing it wrong?

[doojer]

Can The Rear Sway Bar Be Disconected To Or Is This Not Recomended?It can be disconnected. But, I personally don't recommend it. I find that the rear swaybar doesn't limit articulation too greatly and the stability it provides on the trail is worth leaving it connected, IMO.

With that said, I know there are folks on the board who would disagree with me. :dontknow2:

Here's a thread with the whole rear swaybar debate:
http://www.jk-forum.com/showthread.php?t=37547

[Offroadme]

TERAFLEX make some great quick discos for the front and come with the pins.. also come with studs that you bolt to the front body mounts for storage of the sway bar when on the trail. i will take some pics this weekend. i love em....

[doojer]

TERAFLEX make some great quick discos for the front and come with the pins.. also come with studs that you bolt to the front body mounts for storage of the sway bar when on the trail. i will take some pics this weekend. i love em....Yep. I run those myself. There is a write-up for them here:

http://jk-forum.com/showthread.php?t=21787

[dburgette]

This is the reason I am a member of this site. Where else could you get top-notch information like this with pictures? Stealerships....? I don't think so, they would tell you this is impossible to do. Great write-up!

[dburgette]

I just did this today and was amazed at the difference. I am a newbie and love to hear "how to's" like these. Thanks again.

[Roxster]

For what it's worth, I don't think you really need to disconnect both sides of the sway bar... one side will do the trick. Relieving the tension between the two side is accomplished when you disconnect one link. It takes half the time, and you should be able to tie the link directly to the sway bar on the disconnected side. Because it's still attached on one side, the sway bar will stay out of the way during articulation of the axle. Having said this, that's how I used to do it on my YJ before I removed the bar completely (made for "interesting" street manners), but I have not tried this yet on my JK.

[JK-KJ]

For what it's worth, I don't think you really need to disconnect both sides of the sway bar... one side will do the trick. Relieving the tension between the two side is accomplished when you disconnect one link. It takes half the time, and you should be able to tie the link directly to the sway bar on the disconnected side. Because it's still attached on one side, the sway bar will stay out of the way during articulation of the axle. Having said this, that's how I used to do it on my YJ before I removed the bar completely (made for "interesting" street manners), but I have not tried this yet on my JK.

I don't get it....the side that is disconnected would drop like it should, but the side still connected would drop and bring the other end of the sway bar down with it which might get in the way of the tire and cause a puncture, right?

Also, would the side still connected stuff up into the wheelwell like it would if it were disconnected?

To me it just seems easier and safer to get some quick discos for $99 and be done with it. :dontknow2:

[possumface]

can u just unbolt the bottoms and zip tie the links to the bar then zip tie to the side like in the pic :thinking:

[HappyCurmudgeon]

Originally Posted by Roxster http://jk-forum.com/fusion/buttons/viewpost.gif (http://jk-forum.com/showthread.php?p=581399#post581399)
For what it's worth, I don't think you really need to disconnect both sides of the sway bar... one side will do the trick. Relieving the tension between the two side is accomplished when you disconnect one link. It takes half the time, and you should be able to tie the link directly to the sway bar on the disconnected side. Because it's still attached on one side, the sway bar will stay out of the way during articulation of the axle. Having said this, that's how I used to do it on my YJ before I removed the bar completely (made for "interesting" street manners), but I have not tried this yet on my JK.



I don't get it....the side that is disconnected would drop like it should, but the side still connected would drop and bring the other end of the sway bar down with it which might get in the way of the tire and cause a puncture, right?

Also, would the side still connected stuff up into the wheelwell like it would if it were disconnected?

To me it just seems easier and safer to get some quick discos for $99 and be done with it. :dontknow2:


I personally wouldn't want to try that, i would hate to guess what would mechanically interfere. the cost of a tire would spur me to take the extra few minutes to yank them both off.

[Rhino64]

DITTO, Takes all of a couple of min to reconnect the Teraflex. Well worth click. IMO

[HappyCurmudgeon]

DITTO, Takes all of a couple of min to reconnect the Teraflex. Well worth click. IMO


I happen to be running the JKS quicker discos, well worth the money for the ease. Pop two pins out of each one, pull them off, zip tie the bar and your good to go.

[charlope]

Is it less "Fun" when you disconnect? I like to feel the ground and the way the JK crawls over rocks.

[JK-KJ]

Is it less "Fun" when you disconnect? I like to feel the ground and the way the JK crawls over rocks.

not to me...if anything it's more fun. it rides a hell of a lot better too.

[YellowToy]

Much better disconnected & aired down.

Here's a write-up I just put together on what to do with your disconnected sway bar.

http://www.jk-forum.com/showthread.php?p=866304#post866304

[peteym]

i cant seem to even get the nuts to budge...ive got two wrenches and im twisting as hard as i can and nothings moving...bit of lubricant in order?? or am i supposed to use some sort of heavy duty wrench like an impact wrench or something??? :dontknow2:

[HappyCurmudgeon]

I'm guessing so, mine wherent that tight. :dontknow2:

not to be an arse, but are you sure your turning them the right way?

I watched a seasoned mechanic fighting with a bolt while lying upside down when i was waiting for my truck at the autoshop. I was kinda laughing to myself because i noticed what he was doing. It was hysterical when it dawned on him. He looked completely embarassed, then quickly looked around to see if anyone noticed. Of course, being a fellow guy, i had to look him right in the eye, and acknowledge his accomplishment and share in his joy at being discovered.:clap::rotflmao2:

I've done it many times myself. :yup:

[peteym]

haha nah no offence taken dont worry. and um...im pretty sure im not going the wrong way i tried going both ways if that helps, only to cop the wrench in the chest. left a rather nasty bruise.
Im still determined to get this sway bar off! when i get a chance ill go down to the hardware shop and get me some WD-40!

[YellowToy]

haha nah no offence taken dont worry. and um...im pretty sure im not going the wrong way i tried going both ways if that helps, only to cop the wrench in the chest. left a rather nasty bruise.
Im still determined to get this sway bar off! when i get a chance ill go down to the hardware shop and get me some WD-40!

A cheater pipe will work every time.

[jd8100]

lets have a pic of the jk diesel peteym by the way how ya like it?:cool:

[peteym]

to be honest its the first diesel ive ever had...and i love it!
i think ive been converted! never ever going back to petrol!

http://i715.photobucket.com/albums/ww151/petey_m/DSC00629-1.jpg