I replaced the stock rear sway bar and links with a heavier sway bar and links with heim joints at both ends. After installing I have noticed a popping noise when wheeling and have isolated it to the sway bar links. I believe I have adjusted them correctly and tightened the jam nuts, but I can turn the shafts by hand and this causes the heim joints to rotate and make the clicking popping sound. Is this a poor design? Perhaps I should just replace the links with the solid type (no heim joints) . Any advice?!
Popping noise from rear sway bar links
- Thread starter Hooey
- Start date
If you grease heim joints they shut up for awhile, any heavy grease will work. Some joints even have zirk fittings on them.
if you end up going back to oe design, look for sway end links with the soft rubbery type of insert in the eyelet like the factory provides. many of the aftermarket end links use a metal ring eyelet which also generates clicky noises on uneven terrain. though you will pick up noise with the factory end links it will be much less than the after market metal type. key thing is to avoid anything that has metal as the contact point for the bolt you slip through the eyelet on the end link.
example of metal eyelet.
example of metal eyelet.
Why do you not recommend adjustable rear links? I just ordered a pair of JKS adjustable sway bar links which are arriving today.
My only reasons are expense and I've never needed them..I have always ran stock links and never had any issues so I never saw the need to spend more money...YMMV
preferably mopar, should be part number 52088896AA for your 2004.. if your going the OE route of course.
you can see the OE design is a rubber insert with a slightly harder material than plain rubber for the eyelet. dont think its plastic or delrin, it has some give to it when you prod at it with your fingernail and is much more silent.
AC delco list a similar part in design but I have no experience with it in use or in hand and no idea what the material for the sleeve is. its a bit cheaper than mopar but again, I have no idea what it is. P/N# 19113780
Yeah thanks, looked at those but I have a 3.5" rubicon express lift. I'll probably just go with those (new ones).
I have a 3" spring lift (similar to your 3.5"). I just put a rear Dorman OE replacement rear sway bar on my rig as it was absent at purchase. The links are stock length with the metal sleeves. So far they are quiet, but the problem is with stock length, the bolts on the lower links contact/or are real close to the upper control arm at full droop:
This is likely a non-issue in the real world, but since they have metal sleeves and the potential interference bugs me, I ordered JKS rear adjustable links which are longer, adjustable and have no sleeves. Thanks Wrangler TJ forum for another $100 wallet delete
Old_Crow
TJ Enthusiast
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