Removing sway bar end links on 98 Sahara

Matt77

TJ Enthusiast
Joined
Jul 23, 2018
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197
Location
Florida
I broke loose all the bolts. The Sahara comes with a lift kit already, I assume. So there is "u" bracket on top of the Sway end link. Not a ball type joint I see on most tj end links. Anyways that won't come off unless I turn the u joint. But first I have to take the bottom part of the end link off. I already got the nut off the end. There is a star bolt with what looks like a giant nut spacer. How do I go about taking it off?
 
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All you need is a box end wrench and the appropriate torx socket and breaker bar and it will come right off.
 
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I have a t50 star socket but that seamed a little loose. Do I get a t51 socket? I'm also afraid I'm going to strip the star bolt out. Can that be replaced with a hexadecimal bolt?
All you need is a box end wrench and the appropriate torx socket and breaker bar and it will come right off.
 
I have a t50 star socket but that seamed a little loose. Do I get a t51 socket? I'm also afraid I'm going to strip the star bolt out. Can that be replaced with a hexadecimal bolt?

I want to say it's a T55, but I'm not entirely sure since I removed mine altogether. I'd buy a complete torx socket set at Harbor Freight, since you'll need a complete set if you plan on owning your Jeep for a while. With the right size torx bit, you won't strip it out. You can always apply some Kroil first if you're worried.

However, once you get it out, you can indeed replace it with a standard hex bolt.
 
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I want to say it's a T55, but I'm not entirely sure since I removed mine altogether. I'd buy a complete torx socket set at Harbor Freight, since you'll need a complete set if you plan on owning your Jeep for a while. With the right size torx bit, you won't strip it out. You can always apply some Kroil first if you're worried.

However, once you get it out, you can indeed replace it with a standard hex bolt.
Another quick question. My end link comes as two pieces with a little peg allowing like maybe a quater inch play. How do I know what size end link to order?
 
Another quick question. My end link comes as two pieces with a little peg allowing like maybe a quater inch play. How do I know what size end link to order?

I wish I could answer that. Most of us just throw the factory end links away without paying any attention to them whatsoever, and replace them with something like this:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00B2AFXDG/?tag=wranglerorg-20

It's been so long since I tossed mine that I'm not even sure I know what "peg" you're talking about.

I'd just replace them with some disconnects, which will fit any year of TJ, and come with all the hardware you need.
 
I'm on a tight budget and I'll just replace it. But thank you. That's just the beginning of my problems. I have death wobble. Need to change track bar, tie rod ends, drag link ends. Coil springs. One of my coil springs bottom pad is gone and now the coil springs is off its resting spot and diagnol leaning against back of tire components. .. you got any experience with coil springs compressors? Not sure if I trust myself to lower front axel.
 
I'd avoid coil spring compressors. They are dangerous and way more complicated to use than just dropping the axle and installing the springs that way (which is the way it's recommended on TJs).

As far as the death wobble goes, you ought to read this:
Is Your Jeep Wrangler TJ Experiencing Vibrations or Death Wobble? READ THIS!

And this:
Diagnosing and Fixing Death Wobble

There's a very good chance you don't have death wobble, and just a vibration. Again, read those two threads above. You might be surprised!
 
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Why are removing the sway bar links?

You will also want to look at replacing your jounce bumper (and take a look at the condition of the rest).
 
When I replaced the full suspension and lift, I completely redone the steering linkage, tie rods, drag link, and ball joints at same time with a PSC steering box, I’m fortunate enough to say, I never had any issues.
 
Why are removing the sway bar links?

You will also want to look at replacing your jounce bumper (and take a look at the condition of the rest).
Lol bc I have the death wobble at 50/55 mph. I've had this jeep for 18 years and never messed with the suspension. I do the normal stuff like alternators, starter, etc.. but I got a whole lot bad going on . And a limited budget. The sway bar links are worn. See picture above. Of course I'll do the bushings too. Not sure what a jounce bumper is? But this is to build confidence towards replacing track bar and I got a coil springs off its bottom pad leaning on back of tire components
 
When I replaced the full suspension and lift, I completely redone the steering linkage, tie rods, drag link, and ball joints at same time with a PSC steering box, I’m fortunate enough to say, I never had any issues.
The Sahara already had a lift. Not sure if it is stock like they come that way or if it is aftermarket.
 
Lol bc I have the death wobble at 50/55 mph. I've had this jeep for 18 years and never messed with the suspension. I do the normal stuff like alternators, starter, etc.. but I got a whole lot bad going on . And a limited budget. The sway bar links are worn. See picture above. Of course I'll do the bushings too. Not sure what a jounce bumper is? But this is to build confidence towards replacing track bar and I got a coil springs off its bottom pad leaning on back of tire components

I understand all of that, but with your limited budget I wouldn't be focusing on the sway bar links as they are not the cause of your death wobble.

Have you done the dry steer test and looked for play in the track bar, ball joints, steering box, and tie rod ends? Have you rotated tires? Re-torqued all suspension components back to factory specs? There is a lot of testing that you can do to diagnose the cause of death wobble without spending any money.

"The jounce bumper absorbs impact and dampens noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) by preventing the articulated suspension components from fully compacting during shock impacts caused by heavy loads, potholes, curbs or objects in the road."

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B016J1CW0E/?tag=wranglerorg-20
 
I understand all of that, but with your limited budget I wouldn't be focusing on the sway bar links as they are not the cause of your death wobble.

Have you done the dry steer test and looked for play in the track bar, ball joints, steering box, and tie rod ends? Have you rotated tires? Re-torqued all suspension components back to factory specs? There is a lot of testing that you can do to diagnose the cause of death wobble without spending any money.

"The jounce bumper absorbs impact and dampens noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) by preventing the articulated suspension components from fully compacting during shock impacts caused by heavy loads, potholes, curbs or objects in the road."

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B016J1CW0E/?tag=wranglerorg-20
I'm a newb when it comes to all this steering and suspension stuff. I think your talking about jounce bumper is the bump stop? Located inside the coil springs? Now I do have to take the coil springs off bc the bottom pads are gone on one side worn on the other and the top part, bump stop? Is rotted away. But lowering the front axel worries me. Lol so I will replace the sway links, then the track bar then mess with the coil springs. I need someone to tell me if saharas come with stock lift? Or how do I tell how much lift I have?
 
I'm a newb when it comes to all this steering and suspension stuff. I think your talking about jounce bumper is the bump stop? Located inside the coil springs? Now I do have to take the coil springs off bc the bottom pads are gone on one side worn on the other and the top part, bump stop? Is rotted away. But lowering the front axel worries me. Lol so I will replace the sway links, then the track bar then mess with the coil springs. I need someone to tell me if saharas come with stock lift? Or how do I tell how much lift I have?


Jounce bumpers fit into the cup that is attached to your upper bump stop. Yours is black (dirty) and crumbly and nearly gone.

I'm still confused as to why you are involving the sway bar links in the discussion of your death wobble (unless you just don't like that they are a bit rusty and want to replace them), with a limited budget there are different things to focus on. Please read the two links that Chris provided above, they will give you all of the information necessary to deal with your death wobble.

Saharas did not come from the factory with any kind of lift. The front springs, measured top to bottom are 12" and the rear are 8". Anything above that is your lift.
 
I have 2 steering dampeners also the the trail master shock is shot and just wiggles back and forth
20180724_135850.jpg

Jounce bumpers fit into the cup that is attached to your upper bump stop. Yours is black (dirty) and crumbly and nearly gone.

I'm still confused as to why you are involving the sway bar links in the discussion of your death wobble (unless you just don't like that they are a bit rusty and want to replace them), with a limited budget there are different things to focus on. Please read the two links that Chris provided above, they will give you all of the information necessary to deal with your death wobble.

Saharas did not come from the factory with any kind of lift. The front springs, measured top to bottom are 12" and the rear are 8". Anything above that is your lift.
Jounce bumpers fit into the cup that is attached to your upper bump stop. Yours is black (dirty) and crumbly and nearly gone.

I'm still confused as to why you are involving the sway bar links in the discussion of your death wobble (unless you just don't like that they are a bit rusty and want to replace them), with a limited budget there are different things to focus on. Please read the two links that Chris provided above, they will give you all of the information necessary to deal with your death wobble.

Saharas did not come from the factory with any kind of lift. The front springs, measured top to bottom are 12" and the rear are 8". Anything above that is your lift.
So how do I measure for lift? Just measure the coil spring in place and anything over 12" is my lift? I know there are a couple kinds of lifts. Coil and body. I can see a doughnut between my back bumper and body. And the sway links are just to cut my teeth as a confidence builder. Lol