Repair 7

How to Remove the Sway Bar From the 1997 Wrangler

The sway bar on the front of your 1997 Jeep Wrangler helps to stabilize the front pf the Wrangler during cornering. The sway bar bolts to the frame and connects the outboard ends of the axle. Removing the sway bar will adversely affect the on-road handling of the Jeep, but removal of the sway bar increases axle articulation and wheel travel, making it a popular DIY modification for people who use their Wranglers exclusively off-road. If youve damaged a sway bar, you can replace it yourself, too. Get a replacement sway bar from any Jeep dealer.

Instructions

1

Raise the front of your Jeep off the ground with a jack. Position a set of jack stands under the frame to support the Jeep. Then remove the front wheels, using a lug wrench to remove the lug nuts. Set the wheels and tires aside for now.

2

Locate the sway bar end links that attach to the sway bar end above the steering knuckle. Remove the nuts on the top of the end link with a socket and ratchet, then slide the steel washer and rubber isolator off the end link. Move to the opposite side of the Jeep and repeat the process.

3

Move to the front of the Jeep and locate the U-shaped brackets that bolt to the frame and run over the sway bar. Remove the two bolts from the brackets with a socket and ratchet.

4

Lift the brackets off the frame and set them aside. Lift the sway bar ends off the end links near the axle, then slide the entire sway bar off the front of the Jeep.