Thoughts on side-to-side rocking?

[kmas0n]

So I have a 3 link front and rear mid-arm suspension, and I'm running RS5000x shocks front and rear. Anti-rock on 2nd softest setting front and factory rear sway bar. The ride is very nice, on and off-road except for one thing...

It seems the jeep just bounces side to side a ton. The ride is soft in general, very compliant. I have 6" of up travel front and rear and my bump stops are correctly spaced. The Jeep has no trouble flexing. Even on relatively tame roads, I just get tossed side to side. Perhaps I've just been spoiled with the JLUR's Cadillac ride.

Anyone else noticed this about their TJ and thoughts on how to correct it.

 

[xxdabroxx]

Rancho's might not be stiff enough for your 3-link?

 

[Chris]

It sounds like you could benefit from a custom tuned shock (i.e Fox).

 

[toximus]

What happens when you firm up the sway bar?

 

[psrivats]

It sounds like you could benefit from a custom tuned shock (i.e Fox).

Exactly. This is what Dave does for his custom 3link front/rear mid arm suspensions.

Tuning the Anti-rock will also help.

@kmas0n Did you the suspension set up yourself? Curious to see the details. Do you have a thread with details that I can go read?

 

[bobthetj03]

Did you outboard the rears?

 

[kmas0n]

"It sounds like you could benefit from a custom-tuned shock (i.e Fox). "
I agree completely. I have a set of 12" fox tuned by Paul I need to get installed

"What happens when you firm up the sway bar?"
I'll give it a shot, its the easiest thing to change

"@kmas0n Did you the suspension set up yourself? Curious to see the details. Do you have a thread with details that I can go read?"
I did. I have a short build thread you can read over

"Did you outboard the rears?"
It's on the shortlist. All the parts I need are on a shelf in the garage. Just need to find the time

 

[Steel City 06]

I'm actually switching to a dual rate sway bar from the Antirock not because of swaying during driving, but due to unpredictable swaying during panic/hard braking at 70-85 mph. It was significantly cheaper than going from RS5000X shocks to Fox reservoir shocks, so I decided to try it first. I went with the OffRoadOnly Swayloc.

You might consider a dual rate bar as an option. They are adjustable just like the Antirock but have a separate lever (or switch if you order the kit) to flip to switch from near OE stiffness to Antirock flexibility.

Haven't received or installed it yet, so I can't personally vouch how it performs.
(@DrDmoney and @toximus have one)

 

[toximus]

I'm actually switching to a dual rate sway bar from the Antirock not because of swaying during driving, but due to unpredictable swaying during panic/hard braking at 70-85 mph. It was significantly cheaper than going from RS5000X shocks to Fox reservoir shocks, so I decided to try it first. I went with the OffRoadOnly Swayloc.

You might consider a dual rate bar as an option. They are adjustable just like the Antirock but have a separate lever (or switch if you order the kit) to flip to switch from near OE stiffness to Antirock flexibility.

Haven't received or installed it yet, so I can't personally vouch how it performs.
(@DrDmoney and @toximus have one)

Just don't flex it in the street position.

 

[Goatman]

Also say to try and stiffer antirock. The name pretty well sums up your problem.

 

[kmas0n]

I took the TJ out this morning to drive the same trail I drove yesterday before starting this thread. A few of you have mentioned adjusting the Anti-Rock. Since its free and easy, that's what I did.
I first drove the trail again, with the AR on setting "4". (5 being loosest and 1 being firmest.) Then I drove the same section of trail with the AR set to 2, Then I completely disconnected the AR and drove some more.

What I expected: I remember the first time I disconnected the front sway bar, I was amazed by how smooth the ride was compared to the stock sway bar. Also, I take the JLs out and use the automatic disconnect button and the ride becomes significantly smoother, as far as being rocked side to side. By firming up the AR, I expected the problem to actually get worse.

What I experienced: Completely opposite of what I expected. With the AR on 2, the violent side to side swaying was reduced. With the AR on 4, I could not drive fast enough for the TJ's speedo to even register, with the AR on 2 I could actually drive 10-12 before things got ridiculous. With the AR completely disconnected, it just plain sucked. If I had to put a number on it, I would say firming up the AR provided somewhere around a 20% decrease in being tossed around (from AR 4 to AR 2)

I get that the front and rear bars being balanced is important, but I'm still a little surprised (confused) that the first time I disconnected the sway bar completely I thought it was great, and now it is my least favorite option. Also, that the JL's ride so much better disconnected. If I get a chance I'll take one of the JL's out tomorrow and drive the same trail to see if my memory is just playing tricks on me or does it really rock side to side that much less.

With the AR on 2, I'm still by no means satisfied. Although there was an improvement, I still feel it can get a lot better.

 

[Goatman]

So try it on 1. The stiffer the bar the less you should be rocking side to side. This is important when on road too, as an emergency maneuver could cause a loss of control. I said 'could'.