Stabilizer bar moves?

On my tj should you be able to pull it from the side and it moves? I pulled on Monday it slid a bit. That's not right, is it?

 

A little play may be ok, after all it is just a bar sitting in 2 bushings.
Check the end link bushings to see if they are worn/deteriorated/missing, this could cause excessive side to side movement.
If the sway bar bushings are worn the bar will move around, not just side to side.

The rear swaybar bushings on my daily driver XJ are shot or were previously replaced with the wrong size as I can freely move the bar and it clunks going over bumps.

 

It is normal to get some side to side movement, but it takes a lot of twisting and force.

You may need 2 of these: https://www.quadratec.com/products/56002_06.htm

and maybe a set of swaybar links. If you are going to wheel offroad you might consider getting sway bar links with quick disconnects.

or skip all of the above and go for the gusto: https://teraflex.com/shop_items/tj-0-3-front-single-rate-s-t-sway-bar-kit?vehicle=TJ Wrangler

 

Agree with previous posts. There is some play. But if you want to upgrade to a simple poly set. I had this type of upgrade on my XJ. I liked it. Stiffened up the bar a little in turns. Just a thought.
https://www.quadratec.com/products/16158_2X_PG.htm

 

Forget the PITA sway bar discos and just get the Currie Antirock. Far superior to any discos.

https://www.currieenterprises.com/antirock-sway-bars-tj-wrangler-97-06

 

only 500 bucks!!

 

I disagree. The currie is always connected. Knowing this I know that it can't be completely free flexing. Yes it may have great flex, and decent streetability, but offroad I want full disconnect in the front. I called and spoke with their tech department. I specifically asked if it would get the same flex as not having a swaybar. He would never answer my question, and only say you get a ton of flex and still have good street manners. The Teraflex dual rate sway bar kit is similar to currie's antirock, and IMO for sure not worth $800+, but their single rate sway bar system is disconnected with the flick of a wrist. Can't beat that. . . see below. . . Now you are right about the cheapo disconnects which Teraflex among many others have a version of; they are junk.

Yes they are expensive, but I'm flat out tired of beating on and off my sway bar disconnects.

 

$960 for front and rear....If you do any kind of off camber, rock crawling, or any other serious offroading the Anitrock is worth every penny.

Nobody ever said wheeling is a inexpensive hobby....at least if you want a rig that works and gets you home too.

 

I don't know much of the Terflex unit. What I do know is the antirock will give better control in off camber and in rock crawling. Sure the flex is somewhat limited but, I would rather have predictable suspension movement and body roll when the TJ is tetering on a rock in a near roll over scenario. Something any type of disco will not do....

 

You and I will have to agree to disaggree. I have done every trail in Moab and most trails in Texas without any trouble. I do leave my rear stabilizer on and front disconnected. I have never felt tippy, and for having coil springs feel I get great flex.

 

I have read about its off camber trail riding ability and I imagine that if I ran without sway bars completely that it would be very scary. They scariest trail I have done off camber has been Cliffhanger. Nothing like being tilted out over a 2000 foot drop when driving along a cliff road. I still felt secure, but nervy.

 

That's one of the things about building a Jeep. There are many different ways to accomplish the end goal. What matters is it's what works best for your rig in the terrain you run in.

 

I agree with you on that there are many ways to build a jeep for the same purpose. A friend of mine recently re-designed an already great trailworthy jeep and installed The currie antirock front and back. Hence my phone calls to them and interest in them. I've been running my set-up 10 years now and I just can't change something that I have so much confidence in. If it ain't broke; don't fix it.

 

Very interesting read. I was thinking about getting quick disconnects. Now, I have some research to do. And more money to save up. I'll never run Moab or the Rubicon Trail. But I would like the best in my Jeep. ( or close to it anyway. Lol)

 

If you just want discos.....Why not spend $4 and replace those aggravating axle side torx head mounting bolts. With a grade 10.9 14mm hex head bolt and nut, a few quick turns with a ratchet wrench, slide the bolt out and the sway bar is disconnected. No more of a PITA to take apart and put back together than quick discos.