Just because the all new Jeep Renegade comes equipped with an independent front and rear suspension system (IFS and IRS) doesn't mean it doesn't come with front and rear sway bars as well. And, just like a Jeep with solid axles, disconnecting the front sway bar will allow you to have a greater amount of axle articulation. Of course, more articulation will help keep all four tires on the ground better and that in turn means you have more stability and more traction. This short write-up will help show you where your front sway bar links are located, how to disconnect them and safely store them out of the way. NOTE: Please be advised that this was done on a Jeep Renegade Trailhawk running a Daystar 1.5" lift and running 225/75R16 Cooper Discoverer Pro STT tires. In order to run these bigger tires, I did need to install a set of 1.25" wheel spacers. The lift, the new front sway bar links and greater amount of clearance provided by the wheel spacers ALL contributed to making this possible and so easy to do. Attempting to do this on a stock Renegade will require more effort, different tools and may have rubbing issues as well. What you will need • 17mm Socket • 18mm Wrench • Torx T-40 Bit (for factory front sway bar links) • Zip Ties Instructions 1. Park your Renegade on level ground, this is a critical step and one that will make the following steps easier. Turn your steering wheel to the right and until it's at a full lock so that you can get access to the driver side front sway bar link. Use an 18mm wrench to hold the Daystar sway bar link stud in place while you remove the nut using a 17mm socket as shown. If you are still running factory front sway bar links, you will need a Torx T-40 bit to hold the sway bar stud in place and an 18mm box wrench to remove the nut. 2. With the nut removed, you can now pull the sway bar link stud out from the strut mount. 3. Pull the sway bar link end up to the speed sensor bracket attached to the body and then secure it to the bracket using a zip tie as shown. Safely store your front sway bar link nuts inside your Jeep and that should be all that you need to do. When you're done for the day, simply cut the zip ties and reinstall your sway bar links in the same way. I would NOT recommend that you disconnect your rear sway bar links. Unlike the front sway bar, the rear is significantly smaller in size and has a much lower torsion rate. Because of it, the rear sway bar will still allow for a greater degree of articulation while still providing stability. Test Photos Without question, the Renegade will never been a rock crawling flex monster but, as you can see in the before and after shots below, disconnecting your front sway bar links will allow for more front axle stuff or compression and this will help to keep all four on the floor. BEFORE SHOTS: As you can see in these before shots, I ramped my Renegade up on a stack of concrete pavers measuring 12.5" and the rear tire lifted off the ground by almost 3". This shot shows how much or how little the front tire is compressing or stuffing up into the wheel well. This shot shows how much the coil itself if being compressed. Here you can see how much the rear tire is lifting off the ground. As you can see, the rear tire is lifting almost 3" off the ground. AFTER SHOTS: After disconnecting the front sway bar links on our Jeep Renegade, this is what it looks like on the exact same ramp. As you will see, all four tires are planted firmly on the ground. Notice how much more the front tire is stuffing into the wheel well. Here you can see how much more the front coil is compressing now too. As you can see, there is no longer any lifting of the rear tire off the ground. While the amount of articulation you will see by disconnecting your front sway bar links won't be earth shattering, every little bit you can get will help out a lot and as you have seen in the photos above, doing so will make a difference. I hope this write-up was helpful to you. Please let me know if you have any questions.
No. I wouldn't. In an emergency evasive maneuver, you would not have the kind of handling you really need.
As always, great write up Eddie! Thanks for detailing this out, I will for sure give it a test on a trail as soon as I can.
Keeping in mind that you've already done some massaging to the front wheel wells due to some rubbing - how is the clearance looking with the link disco'd and full stuff? Did you give lock to lock a look over as well?
Awesome write up! It makes quite a difference doesn't it. Difference between three wheeling and keeping 4 on the floor.
LOL!! You mean massaging like this write-up of mine details? http://toasterjeep.com/index.php?th...-trimming-to-clear-bigger-tires-write-up.546/ Yes, did a complete and thorough check for rubbing and clearance issues including full stuff and full lock both sides and found no issues. That being said, this was with a Daystar lift installed AND 1.25" wheel spacers as I noted in the beginning of the write-up. I don't know for sure if others will or will not have issues on a stock setup.
LOL!! I just wish I had more projects to work on. Still waiting for Daystar to release their rocker guards
Yeah, I was surprised the daystar kit didn't come with swaybar quick disconnects like most lift kits do. I agree though, I wouldn't drive on the street without your sway bar connected. On an XJ you can get away with it due to the stiffness of the leafs in the rear, but definitely not on a Renegade.
Is there any worry of strain on the axles from the extra travel? I don't know much about off-roading admittedly, but just wondering.
Technically speaking, there is no "extra" travel as you are still using the factory struts. The range your half shafts travel will still be determined by them.
Hadn't been on the site for awhile, but when checking my email yesterday I checked out your video link of your trip up the canyon demonstrating just what this write-up is ! AWESOME ! You got me ReThinking what jeep to purchase - seriously ! I am wondering if with such an array of jeeps in your Big Garage, why there is not a JK Cherokee TrailHawk ? Too much lacking in its ability to be "worked on" by your "magic hands" ? And also curious as to why you have not added a Mopar (or other) Rock Rail / guard ? Between your Renny Vids and the SoCal guys Renegade Vids I'm continually amazed at this little guys abilities ! ME, I am not in any way Vehicle mechanically inclined (no tools, no garage renter) thus if/when I do get a Renegade TH, thus wanting the Daystar lift, I would need it done (hopefully by them). Totally agree on the stock tires. With the lift, though, I wouldn't want or need to go as rugged as you - staying under 30", basically close to the original but in a true all terrain type. Any thoughts on the Goodyear AT Adventure with the Kevlar ? I can't find any info on the tires side wall PLY #'s ?
LOL!! We already have 2 built up JK Wranglers and just recently gave our old XJ to our son. The Renegade is just more of what we were wanting out of a new Jeep and there's just so much more you can do with it. Regarding tires, I couldn't tell you about the Goodyears as we've not tested any in the past. Sorry.
He says in the first post, "The lift, the new front sway bar links and greater amount of clearance provided by the wheel spacers ALL contributed to making this possible and so easy to do." And the pictures make it obvious as well. The factory sway bar links have a ball joint with a Torx bolt. He shows how to remove both factory and the ones he used.
