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Anti-Sway bar disconnect motor flip

Anti-Sway Bar Disconnect Motor Flip

Part #:

When Jeep produced the new Jeep Wrangler JK's they decided to incorporate a quick disconnect motor on the front anti-sway bar so that you could get more articulation off road. This was a great idea, but it was quickly discovered that it hung below the front chin bar and had the plastic connector pointed forward. Perfect target for any rock looking for it. Of course that plastic piece that hangs down the front of the Jeep did a great job at disguising it, but didn't do anything to stop the rocks from getting to it. So either you replaced it with something else, moved it somehow, or decided that you would only drive the Jeep to the Mall was the solutions. Flipping it up and out of the way is actually really easy.

Additional Parts:
M10x1.50 metric shoulder bolt
(80mm shoulder length, 12mm shoulder width)
#92981A410 from McMaster-Carr

Tools Needed:
16mm socket
15mm socket
Ratchet
Extension
M10x1.50 metric tap
Phillips screwdriver

 

Flipping the Anti-Sway bar disconnect Motor:
The disconnect motor and connector hang down exposed to rocks. Not really a good thing.

1. Remove the air dam by unscrewing and removing the six plastic retainers.  You do not need any pressure on these as you unscrew them.  If they don’t come off, you will have to pry them out.  Most of the time that will make them trash.

   
2. It was suggested that you might find that turning the wheel to the right will give you a little more room to work. This may also cause some binding on the Anti-sway bar. I was able to do the mod without moving the wheels.
3. Located hole in the disconnect unit to be drilled and tapped.  Tap this hole with the M10x1.50 metric tap.
4. Remove the bolt that attaches the disconnect unit to the rubber hanger with a 15mm socket, extension and ratchet.  You can get to it from the side.
5. Unplug the Anti-Sway bar disconnect wiring harness. You will need to press down on the tab and flip the grey (in this picture) away from the cable to release the clamps underneath.
6. Remove the bolt holding the harness bracket with a 15mm socket.  Reinstall the removed bolt.  We will be moving this harness bracket to another bolt later.
7. Remove the 4 bolts that hold the Anti-Sway bar to the frame with a 16mm socket.  Make sure you are holding up the bar when you take out the last bolt, don’t need it to smack you in the forehead. That hurts.
8. Swing the Anti-Sway bar down so that you can access the disconnect unit.
9. Rotate the disconnect unit about 90degs. The harness connector will rotate up looking at it from the front.
10. Install the new shoulder bolt through the rubber hanger and into the newly tapped hole in the disconnect motor.
11. Carefully reposition the Anti-Sway bar back up to the frame.
12. Reinstall the 4 bolts holding the Anti-Sway bar to the frame. Using a 16mm Socket and extension.
13. Reconnect disco unit wiring harness. Press the connector into place and flip the locking lever back into position.
14. Position the harness bracket so that you know which bolt to remove.  Remove the bolt in the disconnect motor with a 15mm socket.
Installed:

 
Notes:
The rubber hanger stud that extends from the Anti-Sway bar bushing bracket can be bent for a proper fit once the unit is in its new location.
A winch that sits between the frame rails may interfere with the rotated unit.

 

 


  N-m Ft. Lbs. In. Lbs.

Stabilizer Bar Retainer Bolts

61

45

 
       

This page last updated: 30-Jun-2011

Content and Design © 2002-present WanderingTrail,  Ronald Seegert
Common Sense and Safety should always be observed when working on your vehicle or doing modifications. Jackstands, wheel blocks, disconnecting the battery are a few of the basic safety precautions that should be used and may not be mentioned in the write ups on this site. You are responsible for your own installation, these write ups are a helpful guideline and should not be taken as an official installation instruction. My write up may be different from the kits currently out there, so alwasy double check the manufacturers installation instructions when installing anything. I try to keep the site up to date with changes that have occured as I discover them, but may not have the latest unless someone lets me know. If you feel that an install is above your capabilities after reading my write ups, I recommend getting together with a club and getting some help. Only a few times have I needed to employe some actual help from a shop to get something done. Usually welding or A/C work. While I have spent many years working on mechanical systems, I am not an expert, nor do I pretend to be one. I hope these write ups have been useful to you.
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