2005 LJ Track Arm Frame Side Mount Repair

[AmanAboutAhorse]

Hello all.
I have a 2005 LJ that I’ve owned for 7 years. It has what seems to be a 2” lift installed by the previous owner. Over the last couple years the steering has felt to get a little loose and i occasionally get death wobbles after going over a bump in the road traveling at 30ish MPH. The frequency of it happening has increased recently where I stopped driving it until I could address the problem.
I replaced the track bar a while ago, and got a JKS adjustable track bar so I could swap that out. When I removed current Unit from the Jeep and got the 9\16 drill bit/hardware out to test fit, it slides into the slot with a lot of play. I measured the bolt that came Off the Jeep and it’s 15.8mm. I was under the impression that the track arm currently on the unit was stock. There also seems to be a bit of marring on the inside of the slot (photos attached) perhaps from previously being drilled out.

• Does anyone know of aftermarket track arms with hardware bigger than 9/16?
• Is my only option to have a shop cut the Frame Mount and create a new one? (I don‘t have welding experience)
  • Does anybody have a shop recommendation for the Albuquerque area?

I had a hard time finding much about frame side bracket and this is all I have seen thus far.
https://genright.com/products/tj-lj-trac-bar-mount-frame-side.html
Any help or recommendations are greatly appreciate!

Thank You!

 

[Irun]

I'm sure others will jump in, but would something like this either pressed or welded in help? I wouldn't cut the mount, just sleeve it. I haven't used one on a Jeep, but have repaired other steering in a similar fashion. I don't know if it's the correct size, but it looks close.

https://www.grainger.com/product/11...VFK7ICh3FTAUiEAQYASABEgKrqPD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

[someguysjeep]

looks like someone almost broke their wrist with a drill. they work better if you can hold um straight.

and i really don't remember my stock bar but pretty sure they didn't give us what appears to be rebuildable ends like that from the factory, did they?.

 

[macleanflood]

Doesn't Barnes have pre cut and bent brackets?

-Mac

 

[macleanflood]

https://www.barnes4wd.com/Jeep-Wrangler-TJ-Rear-Frame-Track-Bar-Bracket_p_822.html

 

[Mall'er]

That isn't a stock trackbar. Maybe some more pictures of the old trackbar itself?

If I recall correctly, when I installed my currie/rockjock track bar, I had to drill that hole to 5/8.

 

[NskLJ]

JKS uses 9/16” bolt, Currie, Metalcloak, Rubicon Express uses 5/8” bolt.

 

[jjvw]

https://www.barnes4wd.com/Jeep-Wrangler-TJ-Rear-Frame-Track-Bar-Bracket_p_822.html

Try to put a stock style track bar on that.

 

[jjvw]

Hello all.
I have a 2005 LJ that I’ve owned for 7 years. It has what seems to be a 2” lift installed by the previous owner. Over the last couple years the steering has felt to get a little loose and i occasionally get death wobbles after going over a bump in the road traveling at 30ish MPH. The frequency of it happening has increased recently where I stopped driving it until I could address the problem.
I replaced the track bar a while ago, and got a JKS adjustable track bar so I could swap that out. When I removed current Unit from the Jeep and got the 9\16 drill bit/hardware out to test fit, it slides into the slot with a lot of play. I measured the bolt that came Off the Jeep and it’s 15.8mm. I was under the impression that the track arm currently on the unit was stock. There also seems to be a bit of marring on the inside of the slot (photos attached) perhaps from previously being drilled out.

• Does anyone know of aftermarket track arms with hardware bigger than 9/16?
• Is my only option to have a shop cut the Frame Mount and create a new one? (I don‘t have welding experience)
  • Does anybody have a shop recommendation for the Albuquerque area?

I had a hard time finding much about frame side bracket and this is all I have seen thus far.
https://genright.com/products/tj-lj-trac-bar-mount-frame-side.html
Any help or recommendations are greatly appreciate!

Thank You!

View attachment 329417

View attachment 329418

View attachment 329419

View attachment 329420

View attachment 329421

View attachment 329422

View attachment 329423

Tighten the bolt all the way. There won't be any slip.

 

[AmanAboutAhorse]

That isn't a stock trackbar. Maybe some more pictures of the old trackbar itself?

If I recall correctly, when I installed my currie/rockjock track bar, I had to drill that hole to 5/8.

thanks for the replies. I just got home from work.
I reinstalled the track bar back on the Jeep while I was figuring out how to proceed.
here are some photos of it installed. There are not any markings on the trackarm from what I can tell.
the bushing is rebuildable.

 

[jjvw]

thanks for the replies. I just got home from work.
I reinstalled the track bar back on the Jeep while I was figuring out how to proceed.
here are some photos of it installed. There are not any markings on the trackarm from what I can tell.
the bushing is rebuildable.

View attachment 329573

View attachment 329574

View attachment 329575

View attachment 329576

View attachment 329577

View attachment 329578

View attachment 329579

View attachment 329581

What was your torque wrench set to?

 

[AmanAboutAhorse]

What was your torque wrench set to?

I believe the Torque spec for the Frame side mount is 110-125 FT Lbs and my current torque wrench maxes at 70. I was frustrated when I saw the frame had already been drilled out so I just reassembled everything, didn’t torque it, and haven’t driven it since.
Good reason to buy a new Torque Wrench.

I’d like to rebuild the Bushing if I could figure out the MFG then properly torque it and test drive it.

Thanks for your reply.

 

[jjvw]

I believe the Torque spec for the Frame side mount is 110-125 FT Lbs and my current torque wrench maxes at 70. I was frustrated when I saw the frame had already been drilled out so I just reassembled everything, didn’t torque it, and haven’t driven it since.
Good reason to buy a new Torque Wrench.

I’d like to rebuild the Bushing if I could figure out the MFG then properly torque it and test drive it.

Thanks for your reply.

Your immediate problem is entirely with your torque wrench.

That looks like a Currie/RockJock track bar because of the offset Johnny Joint with a small gusset at the frame end. Look for a CE##### stamped on the black part near the axle mount.