New to Jeep and have suspension question

The Flying Scot

The Flying Scot

New Member
Original poster
Joined
Jul 26, 2024
Messages
16
Location
South Carolina
Hi everyone. Just got my first Jeep, a 1999 Wrangler Sahara edition. Bought it from a good friend and it is pretty stock except so bigger All Terrain tires and front sway bar quick disconnects, but because I'm so new to the Jeep world, I have nothing to compare against for my issues.
So it appears from the chart I found in the tech support page that the springs are stock, but I just replaced the front and rear shocks with new Rough Country units.

HERE'S my concern. So I replaced the shocks as the rear of the Jeep would squat and slop around when you put it in Drive and move off and the whole thing sways like on ice when you go around shallow corners and I thought it was just the shocks weren't doing their job in bump/ rebound. So, is this old and weak springs or is this something to do with these "track bars" I keep hearing about.

Like I said I have zero experience in the handling quality of a Jeep, but very experienced in car rebuilds and race prep, so I'm not a novice when it comes to working or mod'ing vehicles.

Thanks for any input.
 
"So I replaced the shocks as the rear of the Jeep would squat and slop around when you put it in Drive"

Time for new springs.
 
Last edited:
  • Dislike
Reactions: Artsifrtsi
The Flying Scot said:
Hi everyone. Just got my first Jeep, a 1999 Wrangler Sahara edition. Bought it from a good friend and it is pretty stock except so bigger All Terrain tires and front sway bar quick disconnects, but because I'm so new to the Jeep world, I have nothing to compare against for my issues.
So it appears from the chart I found in the tech support page that the springs are stock, but I just replaced the front and rear shocks with new Rough Country units.

HERE'S my concern. So I replaced the shocks as the rear of the Jeep would squat and slop around when you put it in Drive and move off and the whole thing sways like on ice when you go around shallow corners and I thought it was just the shocks weren't doing their job in bump/ rebound. So, is this old and weak springs or is this something to do with these "track bars" I keep hearing about.

Like I said I have zero experience in the handling quality of a Jeep, but very experienced in car rebuilds and race prep, so I'm not a novice when it comes to working or mod'ing vehicles.

Thanks for any input.
Click to expand...

Are you describing a body roll feeling? Are your sway bar links disconnected?
 
  • Like
Reactions: Tob
Does the Jeep feel like it's leaning to the side, or does it feel like the jeep is sliding sideways staying level? Leaning to the the side like it's about to tip, it's sway bar... sliding to the side like it's on ice, track bar.

Sway bar is intended to keep a vehicle from tipping, track bar keeps the vehicle from sliding off the axle.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Tob and GregBelleville
Artsifrtsi said:
Leaning to the the side like it's about to tip, it's sway bar... sliding to the side like it's on ice, track bar.
Click to expand...

And if you feel like you're spinning it's too much bar.
🥴🍺🥃🍸



The above statement does not condone irresponsible drinking nor is it intended to malign any persons real or fictional and is displayed for entertainment purposes only.
 
  • Haha
Reactions: Plumber1, Tob, ChadH and 2 others
I’m going to interpret your post as excessive body roll and you would want to check the condition of the rear sway bar links- I have run across one failed rear sway bar before too.

If you get the sensation that is trying to steer from the back then you need to take a hard look at your rear control arm bushings.
 
  • Like
Reactions: John Cooper
GregBelleville said:
The way you are describing the sway around curves it sounds like your sway bar isn't doing it's job. Also you didn't do yourself any favors by buying rough country, their stuff is not good quality.
Click to expand...

I'll look into the sway bar bushings and see if there's any play . As for the Rough Country, OK, I am learning and I've seen them on other applications so I figured a not too expensive replacement. This isn't going to be some off road rock crawler, just a weekend warrior beach day kind deal, but dually noted on the value of RC items. Thanks.
 
  • Like
Reactions: TheBoogieman
AndyG said:
I’m going to interpret your post as excessive body roll and you would want to check the condition of the rear sway bar links- I have run across one failed rear sway bar before too.

If you get the sensation that is trying to steer from the back then you need to take a hard look at your rear control arm bushings.
Click to expand...

I'd not say it's trying to steer from the back, more that when I accelerate away or turn gentle bends it just feels like the back is dipping down, as if the spring was just not resisting any of the body weight.
 
Artsifrtsi said:
Does the Jeep feel like it's leaning to the side, or does it feel like the jeep is sliding sideways staying level? Leaning to the the side like it's about to tip, it's sway bar... sliding to the side like it's on ice, track bar.

Sway bar is intended to keep a vehicle from tipping, track bar keeps the vehicle from sliding off the axle.
Click to expand...

It's definitely more of the leaning, rather than the sliding feeling.
 
Thanks for the input folks. Sounds like I'm looking at doing some investigating into the sway bar bushings and possibly a new set of springs. Will follow up once I have done the changes.
 
  • Like
Reactions: AndyG
Look at them while somebody rocks the body- You will know instantly.
 
AndyG said:
Look at them while somebody rocks the body- You will know instantly.
Click to expand...

Be thorough and you will get good results. At this stage of ownership just get familiar with the different techniques of diagnosing things and it will save you a lot of money at the parts counter.
 
do you have a rear anti-sway bar?
black bar in photo, note the links in this pic arent stock.

1722431581095.png
 
  • Like
Reactions: LONGJP2 and NashvilleTJ
Top Bottom