Sway bar woes

[Queticon]

I've been running Zone off road's sway bar links for the past 5 or 6 years. Big advantage is that it does away with the OEM ball joints and uses a bracket instead. Bushings are replaceable and they're cake to install.

A year ago I notice a weird little 'chirp' every once in a while when pulling away from a stop. When putting on the lift last weekend, I noticed why. The head of the bolt that holds the sway bar link bracket in place was rubbing against the frame ever so slightly.

Then, looking at the sway bar itslef, I noticed it's not centered. On the passenger side, there's about a 2" gap between the sway bar and the frame. On the driver's side it's maybe within 1/4" of the frame.

Maybe that's how it's supposed to be, but it doesn't seem right. It seems like that sway bar should be centered somehow, but I can't figure out how. That little 'chirp' is starting to drive me nuts. Like water torture.

 

[Ante_Up]

I would think if your front axle was centered, your sway bar would be as well

 

[GASnBRASS]

Sounds like your sway bar needs a clamp around it beside each bushing to keep it centered.

 

[Queticon]

Sounds like your sway bar needs a clamp around it beside each bushing to keep it centered.

This is what I was thinking. I suppose a simple hose clamp would work. I definitely don't want any clamp rubbing against the sway bar bracket and just moving the 'chirp'.

Axle is centered based on a lot of back and forth adjusting the track bar. If we did get it off-center, it definitely wasn't off by an inch.

 

[Queticon]

I was wondering if I installed the links on the wrong side of the axle bracket

 

[GASnBRASS]

If you need a centering sleeve you could get a chunk of hose to wrap around the bar and use a couple clamps to hold it in place. A little silicone grease between the bushing and the hose and it won't chew it up as the bar twists.

 

[EzPeezy]

You shouldn't need hose clamps to keep your sway bar in place. If you do, then something is wrong. Check the install directions on your sway bar connects. How are your sway bar bushings on top of the frame? Are the bolts that clamp the bar to the frame tight? Post some photos of your front end. We don't know what your setup is, so it's easier if you show us what you're working with.

When I got my Jeep the PO had one of the sway bar links installed in the wrong direction and that side of the sway bar rubbed a groove into my frame before I realized it was happening.

 

[JEEPCJTJ]

It sounds like you have a 14 year old Jeep who's swaybar moved over to one side.

I'd loosen the bolts, push it over and tighten them back up. I'd follow that with looking at it every once in a while to see if, or how much, it moves again. It may be OK for 14 more years.

 

[Queticon]

Good point about pics. I’ll get some.

 

[mrblaine]

You shouldn't need hose clamps to keep your sway bar in place. If you do, then something is wrong. Check the install directions on your sway bar connects. How are your sway bar bushings on top of the frame? Are the bolts that clamp the bar to the frame tight? Post some photos of your front end. We don't know what your setup is, so it's easier if you show us what you're working with.

When I got my Jeep the PO had one of the sway bar links installed in the wrong direction and that side of the sway bar rubbed a groove into my frame before I realized it was happening.

No, nothing is wrong. It is very common for the stock sway bar to shift to one side. It is a round bar that is in round bushings with exactly zero lateral control. Since most rigs have the ability to lift the left side under torque when taking off from a stop or encountering head winds at speed, that continual lifting of one side shifts the bar over. The easy and common fix is to use a lateral location method on the insides of the mounts. Hose clamps over a split piece of PVC pipe, rubber hose, shaft clamps or similar.

 

[mrblaine]

It sounds like you have a 14 year old Jeep who's swaybar moved over to one side.

I'd loosen the bolts, push it over and tighten them back up. I'd follow that with looking at it every once in a while to see if, or how much, it moves again. It may be OK for 14 more years.

Don't even need to loosen the bolts, good swift well aimed kick or two will move it back. It won't stay but it can be moved.

 

[EzPeezy]

No, nothing is wrong. It is very common for the stock sway bar to shift to one side. It is a round bar that is in round bushings with exactly zero lateral control. Since most rigs have the ability to lift the left side under torque when taking off from a stop or encountering head winds at speed, that continual lifting of one side shifts the bar over. The easy and common fix is to use a lateral location method on the insides of the mounts. Hose clamps over a split piece of PVC pipe, rubber hose, shaft clamps or similar.

You sure you don't want to see some photos before you assume that everything is normal?

 

[dbbd1]

I have seen split shaft collars also used to keep the bar centered.

 

[mrblaine]

You sure you don't want to see some photos before you assume that everything is normal?

Even if something else is wrong, that won't change that perfectly normal rigs have issues with the sway bar shifting for the reasons I listed.

 

[Queticon]

Yes, it slides easily with a well placed pry bar.

I am going to 3D print a clamp that should do the trick.

Last picture is passenger side. Hard to see but the gap is about 1 1/2”

 

[Queticon]

Here's the clamp I'll be printing out. It will be sacrificial unless I take the time to put some kind of thrust washer on the part facing the sway bar bushing

 

[mrblaine]

Here's the clamp I'll be printing out. It will be sacrificial unless I take the time to put some kind of thrust washer on the part facing the sway bar bushing

View attachment 126927

I would just snag a two piece shaft collar from McMaster or similar and I have many times.

 

[Queticon]

I would just snag a two piece shaft collar from McMaster or similar and I have many times.

yes. I would do that.

but I can do this right now. In fact, should have it on in about an hour after the print is done

Closed on Thanksgiving? Not in my shop!

 

[GASnBRASS]

Also found these sway bar JKS Clamps for those of us without a 3d printer.

 

[TJ4Jim]

Is you sway bar sitting snug in the bushings on top of the frame or is it flopping around.