Home » Do I need a sway bar on my Jeep Wrangler? | Jeep Sway Bar Guide

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Do I need a sway bar on my Jeep Wrangler? | Jeep Sway Bar Guide

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Do you think that sway bar matters for the jeep wrangler? Yes, they do. They protect the jeep wrangler from rolling while turning. As without these sway bars your jeep may roll 10, 20, or up to 30 degrees outward on a sharp turn.

Moreover, if you are still wondering what a sway bar is? Let’s have a peer view of the sway bar and its applications. 

Contents


Is there any significance of the sway bars?

Yes, of course, these sway bars are stabilizing bars. These stabilizers are applied to the jeep wrangler to protect it from unplanned rolling’s and tipping over. 

They can also be labeled as anti-roll bars. 


There are maximum chances of rolling or skidding of the jeep. Then these are the sway bars that not only protect them from rolling or tipping but also save the lives of passengers.

Application of sway bars:

Sway bars are applied or attached to the chassis of the Jeep. It makes a proper balanced connection with the vehicle’s suspensions from one end to another end. 

It gives inertia to the vehicle and gives stability to the whole jeep structure. Your jeep won’t leave the sturdiness easily; if the jeep has sway bars entangled to it.

In short, the role of sway bars hits in to maintain the balance when your jeep starts cornering, you get onto an uneven, muddy road, take a sharp turn, or make a curved U-turn.

Nowadays all the wranglers instill the rolling bars at two positions, one at the backside and the other on the front side. This results in enhanced steering capacity. Moreover, it prevents flipping over up to a huge extent.

Different types of sway bars 

Let’s sneak a peek into the types of sway bars to create a proper understanding of their use. In the case of the jeep wrangler, two types of sway bars are being used. These can be 

  • Tubular sway bars
  • Solid sway bars


Tubular sway bars:

  • The tubular sway bars are hollow from inside. 
  • They are light in weight as compared to solid ones.
  • Their increased diameter provides them the same torsion or rigidity as the solid sway bar has. This results in a maintained balance between both front and rear sides as well as makes the installation of the bars easier.
  • If you want, that the tubular sway bar produces the same response as the solid sway bars, get a tubular bar of bigger diameter. This will increase the weight and match with the efficacy of the solid one.

Solid sway bars:

  • They are heavy.
  • They are most preferred for jeep wranglers.
  • They are best for the enhanced performance of the drive. 
  • They give wonderful responses in preventing skidding, rolling, tipping, or turning on sharp or long curves.

Front & rear sway bars, adjustable sway bars:

Both front and rear sway bars have their roles. 

When we talk about the importance of front sway bars then they add mass to the chassis of the vehicle. 

Also, they regulate and maintain the inertial distribution when you go through a curve or something steep or sharp.

Let’s have a look at the rear sway bar. It balances the back two wheels of the vehicle which are on the verge of lifting out at a curve. 

Apart from above all, the adjustable sway bars are the result of the advancement of the modern era. Their size is variable. 

If you upgrade your vehicle then these can be utilized in the same manner regardless of taking out and fixing a new one. It reduces the axle’s side grip. 

It also enhances the stiffness of the jeep wrangler. It is the most recommended sway bar nowadays.

Why do sway bars disconnect when off-roading? 

Jeeps are designed for running on any type of surface. When you are interested in taking your jeep off-roading then surely you must take off your sway bars. 

This will add-on advantage in steering the vehicle on tough terrains.  Because disconnecting sway bars will improve the vertical travel of wheels. This is called the suspension articulation. This is very important when maneuvering over uneven terrains. 

When sway bars are disconnected, it gives the wheels more freedom to move vertically. Ultimately that will help to keep all the wheels on ground without lifting off the surface and hanging on the axle in uneven terrains.

It is important to get the necessary traction when doing off roadings.

When should I disconnect my sway bar?

Sway bars should disconnect only when you driving your jeep in slow speeds. Especially when you entering a off road trail that you have to manure your jeep slowly over obstacles you can disconnect sway bars. It will give you a better handling and tire contact with ground.

But when you leaving the trail or start to drive fast you should connect sway bars. Otherwise that can lead to poor handling, cornering of the vehicle at higher speeds.


The downside of disconnecting sway bars:

If you disconnect your front sway bar, then you will feel some torsions and hurdles at the pavements. 

It enhances the better traction of tires with the road. But your tire may uplift at turns or curves if you disconnect the front sway bar at higher speeds.

Another fact is when you apply brakes at high speeds you vehicle will try to pull over to the lower side of the road while losing control. That is dangerous at highways.

So, disconnecting isn’t recommended. Regardless of a few exceptions like if you want to roam around off roading trails.

Is it safe to drive with a broken sway bar?

It is not at all safe to drive with the broken sway bar. Still, you can drive with some precautionary measures like don’t speed up your rig, avoid turns, cornering, etc. 

Try to drive through the streets and avoid the rush and blockades.

Furthermore, if the front sway bars are broken then you will feel a difference in the overall performance of the vehicle. 

In that case, you may meet an accident if you increase the speed even a bit. 

On the other hand, if the back sway bar is broken then it won’t cause much hindrance. You may reach safely at your destination by following the above-mentioned cautions.

How long can you drive with broken sway bars? 

You can complete your journey with broken sway bars by following a few instructions. 

Firstly, do not go on the highways and interstate where you have to go with the pace of traffic and change lanes abruptly, rather go through the streets as there you won’t have to take sharp turns or curves. 

Also, keep your speed lower than you can go until you replace the broken sway bars.

Conclusion:

Sway bars are of two types. They are required for both front and rear ends to maintain balance. 

They play an important role in preventing the jeep wrangler from tipping, curving, cornering. 

Therefore, the sway bars are an essential part of the jeep wrangler. Thus, it’s entirely up to you whether you want to risk your life or protect it by disconnecting them.

With that being said, we come to the end of this guide. If you think this guide may be helpful for someone else, share this with them. You just have to hit a share button below.

Peace!!

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