Sway bar end links - how long is too long?

[JTNARJ]

So I recently bought a lightly used Mopar 2" lift kit and installed it myself. Love it, no issues.

The guy who sold it to me "threw in" a pair of adjustable sway bar end links with quick disconnects. I'm unsure of the brand. They are new in sealed bags but no markings, so I'm assuming they came with some other kit and he didn't use them.

When I installed the lift, I used the proper end links that came with it. I didn't want to introduce a new part until I knew I was set up properly with no issues. Since all has been well, I decided to revisit these quick disconnects. They are adjustable, but even fully retracted they are about an inch longer than the links that came with the kit.

Now, I know too short is bad - inversion is a dangerous thing - but what about too long? If I install these, am I taking an undue risk? Am I effectively "preloading" the sway bar? I'd think that under normal driving conditions it would probably be ok?

I looked at other end links and got more confused. One set said the bar should be basically level, +/- 5 degrees. Another said a fixed length link was good for lifts between 3" and 6". So yeah, I've confused myself with information overload, and have paralysis by analysis. Any advice is appreciated.

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[bleda2002]

So I recently bought a lightly used Mopar 2" lift kit and installed it myself. Love it, no issues.

The guy who sold it to me "threw in" a pair of adjustable sway bar end links with quick disconnects. I'm unsure of the brand. They are new in sealed bags but no markings, so I'm assuming they came with some other kit and he didn't use them.

When I installed the lift, I used the proper end links that came with it. I didn't want to introduce a new part until I knew I was set up properly with no issues. Since all has been well, I decided to revisit these quick disconnects. They are adjustable, but even fully retracted they are about an inch longer than the links that came with the kit.

Now, I know too short is bad - inversion is a dangerous thing - but what about too long? If I install these, am I taking an undue risk? Am I effectively "preloading" the sway bar? I'd think that under normal driving conditions it would probably be ok?

I looked at other end links and got more confused. One set said the bar should be basically level, +/- 5 degrees. Another said a fixed length link was good for lifts between 3" and 6". So yeah, I've confused myself with information overload, and have paralysis by analysis. Any advice is appreciated.

If both ends of the swaybar are same length links, there is no preload since its just a torsion spring. As for how long is too long, on extreme up travel is there any chance it will invert before you hit the bump stop? If not then its fine, ideally you want to be relatively flat, but really you just need to not be flipping the bar at either extreme.

 

[JTNARJ]

If both ends of the swaybar are same length links, there is no preload since its just a torsion spring. As for how long is too long, on extreme up travel is there any chance it will invert before you hit the bump stop? If not then its fine, ideally you want to be relatively flat, but really you just need to not be flipping the bar at either extreme.

I figured the "preload" would be nonexistent if the links are the same length. Thanks for verifying!

As for the travel, I guess I'm not sure, but I also can't really think of a scenario during normal on road driving that I'd get even remotely close at the top.

 

[bleda2002]

I figured the "preload" would be nonexistent if the links are the same length. Thanks for verifying!

As for the travel, I guess I'm not sure, but I also can't really think of a scenario during normal on road driving that I'd get even remotely close at the top.

If you are really worried measure the distance to the metal cup of the bumpstop, if the axle moves up that much would it be close to inverting? If not then you're good. Could also post a picture after for people to take a look

 

[Wheelin98TJ]

Ideal sway bar link length is the flat part of the sway bar, on the end that connects to the link, should be parallel to the ground when the suspension is in the middle of it's travel.

 

[Rahkmalla]

Ideal sway bar link length is the flat part of the sway bar, on the end that connects to the link, should be parallel to the ground when the suspension is in the middle of it's travel.

When I called Apex and spoke to one of their engineers because the shortest autoLYNX was still significantly longer than OEM mojave sway bar end links he told me that parallel sway bars under normal load being desirable was a common misconception and ideally the sway bar ends should be higher than the frame bushings.

Now... maybe he was blowing smoke up my ass because i was having an issue with their product as designed... maybe he was telling me the truth. Who knows?

 

[Wheelin98TJ]

When I called Apex and spoke to one of their engineers because the shortest autoLYNX was still significantly longer than OEM mojave sway bar end links he told me that parallel sway bars under normal load being desirable was a common misconception and ideally the sway bar ends should be higher than the frame bushings.

Now... maybe he was blowing smoke up my ass because i was having an issue with their product as designed... maybe he was telling me the truth. Who knows?

Not parallel under normal load, parallel when suspension is in the middle of it's travel.

 

[Camaroboi13]

The correct answer is short enough to NOT hit the inner fenders at full tuck, and long enough NOT to produce inversion at full droop. If your sway bar is sitting parallel or slightly above parallel while sitting on the ground, you're probably going to be just fine.

 

[fourfa]

The Clayton adjustable links that I got, come long enough for the biggest lift they sell. Everyone else needs to cut the rods shorter to fit their setup. Yours might be the same way…

 

[ChrisNLA]

Don't over think it. If these are disconnects and you are taking them loose when wheeling anyway, then set them so the sway bar is parallel with the ground, or so that the attachment point for the links is slightly above parallel. If they are not adjustable, same rules apply. If they are parallel or a few degrees above - it's fine...

If you had a Rubicon and the links and sway bar ends moved up and down with the suspension even when 'disconnected', it would be more critical.

 

[JTNARJ]

Thanks all. Sounds like the best idea is just to put 'em on and see what the travel looks like.

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