Rear sway bar hits locker housing

[St Runner]

I put the e locked rear axle in today my 97 and got it bolted back up. When I put the sway bar back in it just hits the elocker housing. Checked it against another sway bar I had and they are both the same, one of them came off the locked axle. I never heard of anyone having this problem and tomorrow I will pull it off and go at the bar with a sledge hammer just to get the clearance I need. Anyone else have to do this?

 

[Unner]

Pretty sure you need the sway bar relocation brackets like SS sells to get the sway bar to clear the locker when lifted.

 

[St Runner]

Thanks Unner, running OME 906 with 10mm trim packers so its not sky high but there is no extra weight either. That does give me some ideas to work on

 

[kolelt]

Or you can just ditch the sway bar

 

[MandAtaco]

Longer sway bar end links help at all? Trying to remember which way the sway bar swings.

I don't have any clearance issues with my 2000. Elocker rear, factory sway bar but with longer links.

 

[Nate_GB]

It's a pretty common problem from what I've seen. Even stock trucks have the issue. Longer links will help to rotate the bar down towards the pinion. But you can't go too long on the links otherwise they will start to contact the lower control arms on compression of the suspension.

 

[HiluxSurf SSR-G]

the sway bar seems to be misplaced basing on the pic. shouldn't it be located above the locker motor instead of below it?

 

[Tyler James Inc]

It's a pretty common problem from what I've seen. Even stock trucks have the issue.

That's super strange. My '97 was +3.75" in the rear- with stock end links- and my RSB never hit the locker.

 

[HiluxSurf SSR-G]

the sway bar's bend over the pumpkin is such that there is space to clear the locker assy. that's why the center of the bend is not centered over the pumpkin instead is located towards the driver side.

the OP could have reversed the orientation of the sway bar that's why it's hitting the locker assy

 

[St Runner]

Thanks for the replies. The bar is on correctly, that pic is taken from below on the ground and the bar just clips the top forward corner of the locker housing. No way it will fit any other way. I think i will make a couple spacers to put under the brackets along with some longer bolts. This will bring the whole bar forward and up just a bit. I tried doubling up on the bottom bushing on the sway bar link,(essentially making the link longer) but this actually made the contact worse

 

[96RedRunner]

Thanks for the replies. The bar is on correctly, that pic is taken from below on the ground and the bar just clips the top forward corner of the locker housing. No way it will fit any other way. I think i will make a couple spacers to put under the brackets along with some longer bolts. This will bring the whole bar forward and up just a bit. I tried doubling up on the bottom bushing on the sway bar link,(essentially making the link longer) but this actually made the contact worse

The SS1.2 kit I installed comes with SB raise brackets. Using steel flat bar 1/4"x 1 1/2"x 4" apprx on the length. Flat bar raises SB 1 1/4", forward slightly due to angle of mounting bracket on axle. All that you need are two pieces of flat bar, a drill and bit, 4 extra bolts & nuts. It is more important to go up than away from axle. Mount the flat bar to existing axle mounts, center the SB bushing over upper existing bolt drill two holes to mount SB in new location. you need to cut hole in rubber bushing so SB bushing sits over upper bolt head. You might do it a different way just splaining how it's done on SS1.2. Then get you end links for 2nd gen runner to compensate for new ride height, they are 1 1/2" longer. A pic would be better I know, but vehicle is 350 miles away.

 

[St Runner]

Thanks for the explanation 96RedRunner. Most helpful to figuring out what to do. It will take me a couple hours to make the bracket but at least a week to order anything even if they will ship it here. A theoretical question, If you raise the bar 1 1/2" with this bracket is it even necessary to get extended links as it will be doing the same thing?

 

[JayRolla]

Thanks for the explanation 96RedRunner. Most helpful to figuring out what to do. It will take me a couple hours to make the bracket but at least a week to order anything even if they will ship it here. A theoretical question, If you raise the bar 1 1/2" with this bracket is it even necessary to get extended links as it will be doing the same thing?

My sway bar is raised with SS lift brackets. I ended up going 2ng gen links anyways because they were under stress still.

 

[96RedRunner]

Thanks for the explanation 96RedRunner. Most helpful to figuring out what to do. It will take me a couple hours to make the bracket but at least a week to order anything even if they will ship it here. A theoretical question, If you raise the bar 1 1/2" with this bracket is it even necessary to get extended links as it will be doing the same thing?

Anytime thats what makes the forum what it is.

Use the 4 factory bolts to mount flat bar to axle. Then scrounge junk pile for the 4 bolts, nuts, washers you need that best fit holes in SB bracket. 3/8ths" should fit. does'nt have to be metric, yota, just sound bolts n nuts.

Theoretically speaking, the object of design is to keep the end of swaybar at end link parallel with frame rail, as all auto manufacturers do. So it is lift amount dependent. You don't have to have extended end links if S/B clears Locker when suspension is flexing.

 

[96RedRunner]

My sway bar is raised with SS lift brackets. I ended up going 2ng gen links anyways because they were under stress still.

JayRolla, Know what you mean. If you wheel on the edge (you in CO for sure you do) best to have things set up right.

 

[JayRolla]

JayRolla, Know what you mean. If you wheel on the edge (you in CO for sure you do) best to have things set up right.

I was breaking stock length ones every time hit the trail. 2nd gen moogs have lasted two wheeling seasons.

 

[St Runner]

Made up some brackets and now it clears no problem. Thanks to everyone for their help.

 

[euroke23]

You could have also just left it out

Sent from my LG-M210 using Tapatalk

 

[JayRolla]

you could have also just left it out

sent from my lg-m210 using tapatalk

troll!!

 

[96RedRunner]

ST Runner, looks like you counter sunk that philips head. I was thinking that would be a better way than cutting a whole in SB bushing when I got my SS1.2.