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Homemade
Jeep Swaybar Disconnects
If
you use your Jeep to go off-roading, then you know how advantageous
it is to get more flex out of your suspension and one of the easiest
ways to do this is by disconnecting your front swaybars. There are
plenty of aftermarket kits out there but if your Jeep is still stock
height or lifted only 2", then I say save the $80-$100 and make
your own.
What
You Will Need
•
2 - 2-1/2"x7/16" Clevis Pins
• 2 - Cotter Pin
• 4 - 7/16" Grade 5 or better washers
• Torxs Bit Set (every Jeep owner should have one)
• Wrench
Installation
1.
Park your Jeep on level ground and then unbolt your factory swaybar
link bolts using a Torx55 bit and a wrench. There is a washer in between
the link bushing and its mounting point that you will need to re-use
so be sure not to loose it.
2.
Replace the bolt you just removed by sliding on your new Clevis pin.
Be sure to use a washer on both ends of the pin and clip it.
That's it, your done. As you'll notice, the 7/16" diameter is
a bit narrow but anything larger would be too fat and you wouldn't
be able to remove it very easily on the trail.
How to Use
1.
Stop your Jeep on level ground before you get on the trail and then
disconnect your sway bar links.
2. Now, rotate your entire front sway bar (the large
"U" shaped bar that wraps around the front of your grill
and is underneath the plastic cover with the Jeep logo on it) upward.
It may stick a little at first giving the impression that it won't
move but it will rotate up with a little effort.
3. Once your front sway bar is in the up position,
you should be able to rotate your links up and over the top of the
front spring perches where they can sit safely out of the way.
4. It's a good idea to strap the links in place using
a bungie cord or zip ties so that they don't accidently bounce off
the spring perches. It's highly unlikely that they will but you never
know.
Post Installation Notes
After
using this setup for over a year, one of my homemade discos failed
while driving on the highway. Although this did not cause me to loose
control or significantly change the driving behavior of my Jeep, it
is never a good idea to drive at highway speeds with your swaybars
disconnected. If you still plan to do this mod, I would strongly advise
you to to check the hardware component on a regular basis for wear
and replace them as needed.
Disclaimer: The modification
detailed above is not recommended by the manufacturer of this vehicle.
Utmost care should be taken when modifying anything to your suspension.
Injury to you, your Jeep, and/or others can result from improper suspension
modifications or alterations. The author is not a certified mechanic
and assumes no responsibility for damage or injury. |
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