Core4x4 front track bar rubs differential

[jtate]

I have a Core4x4 Tier 3 track bar on my 97 TJ with 0” lift. It is rubbing the differential cover as you can see in the attached photos. I have it attached as follows on the frame side, from bottom to top: bolt, flat washer, johnny joint, flat washer, mount, lock washer, nut.

Is it a big concern?

Can I do anything to provide some separation?

 

[deadbeat son]

When I researched front track bars a couple of years ago, the consensus seemed to be that the only bar that fits without contact is the stock bar unless you add additional bumpstop height to limit uptravel. All aftermarket bars will require some sort of bump stop adjustment to prevent contact.

Your options are likely to revert to a stock bar, or add bumpstop.

 

[Gollywomper]

Yes it is an issue and need to be fixed. Are you planning on lifting your rig soon? If not then why not use a stock TB?
If you have the ability you can add just a bit more bend to the TB to clear the diff cover as well.

 

[JuanTJ]

Most aftermarket track bars require at least 2 inches of lift. So you can put a lift kit on your Jeep. Coil spacers would work and are relatively cheap. Or, you can put the stock track bar back on it.

 

[Gollywomper]

Most aftermarket track bars require at least 2 inches of lift. So you can put a lift kit on your Jeep. Coil spacers would work and are relatively cheap. Or, you can put the stock track bar back on it.

Spacers will not keep it from hitting. He will need to change/modify the bar or add bump stops. Adding lift height doesn’t keep the bar from hitting, you must limit up travel to do that.

Stock bar is probably off the table due to drilling out the mount.

 

[JuanTJ]

Spacers will not keep it from hitting. He will need to change/modify the bar or add bump stops. Adding lift height doesn’t keep the bar from hitting, you must limit up travel to do that.

Stock bar is probably off the table due to drilling out the mount.

Adding longer bump stops to limit travel on a Jeep with 0 lift is going to give you 0 travel and a really shitty ride. This is why majority of manufactures that sell aftermarket track bars state that you need at least 2 inches of lift.

If he drilled out the mounting holes he could always use spacers to reuse the stock bolts.

 

[deadbeat son]

Adding longer bump stops to limit travel on a Jeep with 0 lift is going to give you 0 travel and a really shitty ride. This is why majority of manufactures that sell aftermarket track bars state that you need at least 2 inches of lift.

If he drilled out the mounting holes he could always use spacers to reuse the stock bolts.

The lift doesn't prevent the track bar contact, additional bumpstop does. The lift allows one to add bump without limiting uptravel resulting from the additional bump, and also requires appropriate shocks to take advantage of the change in range of travel vs stock.

 

[jtate]

No lift planned. I have an email out to Core4x4 to ask if they can do anything for it as the track bar is advertised to work with 0 lift. Stock track bar would require a spacer sleeve for the frame side stud because the hole is larger now. I haven’t been able to find one available so I have looked into having one made (about $100) but the Core4x4 track bar seemed like a better way to go.

Thanks for all the ideas.

 

[JuanTJ]

The lift doesn't prevent the track bar contact, additional bumpstop does. The lift allows one to add bump without limiting uptravel resulting from the additional bump, and also requires appropriate shocks to take advantage of the change in range of travel vs stock.

The lift provides more space between the track bar and the diff. which is why makers of aftermarket track bars tell people they need at least 2 inches of lift.

 

[deadbeat son]

The lift provides more space between the track bar and the diff. which is why makers of aftermarket track bars tell people they need at least 2 inches of lift.

Not when the suspension compresses. You do realize it moves, right?

 

[JuanTJ]

Not when the suspension compresses. You do realize it moves, right?

DUH! You guys are taking a very narrow minded approach to solving the issue of the track bar hitting the diff. Yes, adding longer bump stops can keep the track bar from hitting the diff. However, since he doesn't have any lift. Adding longer bump stops are going to limit his suspension from compressing to the point he's going to end up with a really shitty ride.

So the after market track bar I use is the JKS' HD track bar. https://jksmfg.com/collections/wran...-lj-cherokee-xj-comanche-mj-grand-cherokee-zj

On the their website they state under important notes that "TJ Requires 2.5"+ Suspension lift." I run a 4 inch lift which gives me plenty of clearance between the track bar and my Poison Spyder bombproof diff cover which is significantly thicker than the stock cover. I only had to add enough bump stop to keep the tires from hitting the fenders.

This is also why I do the majority of work on my Jeep myself. It seems there is no limit to the number of installers that take the same moronic view above that keep people bringing their Jeeps back to the shop on a monthly basis instead of fixing someone's Jeep correctly the first time around.

 

[macleanflood]

Spring spacers? Cheap enough and easy to try?

-Mac

 

[Gollywomper]

Spring spacers? Cheap enough and easy to try?

-Mac

No, not without adding bump stops.

 

[TurboTJ]

Is it just the angle of the photo or is that track bar mount bent? I believe the bolt should be vertical and it looks to be off at an angle.

 

[Gollywomper]

DUH! You guys are taking a very narrow minded approach to solving the issue of the track bar hitting the diff. Yes, adding longer bump stops can keep the track bar from hitting the diff. However, since he doesn't have any lift. Adding longer bump stops are going to limit his suspension from compressing to the point he's going to end up with a really shitty ride.

So the after market track bar I use is the JKS' HD track bar. https://jksmfg.com/collections/wran...-lj-cherokee-xj-comanche-mj-grand-cherokee-zj

On the their website they state under important notes that "TJ Requires 2.5"+ Suspension lift." I run a 4 inch lift which gives me plenty of clearance between the track bar and my Poison Spyder bombproof diff cover which is significantly thicker than the stock cover. I only had to add enough bump stop to keep the tires from hitting the fenders.

This is also why I do the majority of work on my Jeep myself. It seems there is no limit to the number of installers that take the same moronic view above that keep people bringing their Jeeps back to the shop on a monthly basis instead of fixing someone's Jeep correctly the first time around.

Please explain how a 2” spacer alone will prevent this contact? It will not without the use of extended bump stops.



How did you check your track bar to diff clearance? Did you remove your springs and push your axle up to both bumps stops at the same time?
Just checking articulation will give you a false sense of clearances.

 

[Mike_H]

The question no one has asked is if the track bar is rubbing at ride height or full stuff? If it’s Hitting at ride height, lift and/or bending it to fit is required. If it’s hitting at full stuff, then additional bump stop and/or bending is needed.

 

[jtate]

Is it just the angle of the photo or is that track bar mount bent? I believe the bolt should be vertical and it looks to be off at an angle.

I think that’s the photo

 

[jtate]

Please explain how a 2” spacer alone will prevent this contact? It will not without the use of extended bump stops.



How did you check your track bar to diff clearance? Did you remove your springs and push your axle up to both bumps stops at the same time?
Just checking articulation will give you a false sense of clearances.

It all seemed fine when I installed it just sitting level on the ground, and the evidence of rubbing appeared after driving it.

So I should remove the springs and push the axle up evenly to the stops to check clearance?

 

[jtate]

The question no one has asked is if the track bar is rubbing at ride height or full stuff? If it’s Hitting at ride height, lift and/or bending it to fit is required. If it’s hitting at full stuff, then additional bump stop and/or bending is needed.

It hits at a couple of inches of spring compression.

 

[jjvw]

DUH! You guys are taking a very narrow minded approach to solving the issue of the track bar hitting the diff. Yes, adding longer bump stops can keep the track bar from hitting the diff. However, since he doesn't have any lift. Adding longer bump stops are going to limit his suspension from compressing to the point he's going to end up with a really shitty ride.

So the after market track bar I use is the JKS' HD track bar. https://jksmfg.com/collections/wran...-lj-cherokee-xj-comanche-mj-grand-cherokee-zj

On the their website they state under important notes that "TJ Requires 2.5"+ Suspension lift." I run a 4 inch lift which gives me plenty of clearance between the track bar and my Poison Spyder bombproof diff cover which is significantly thicker than the stock cover. I only had to add enough bump stop to keep the tires from hitting the fenders.

This is also why I do the majority of work on my Jeep myself. It seems there is no limit to the number of installers that take the same moronic view above that keep people bringing their Jeeps back to the shop on a monthly basis instead of fixing someone's Jeep correctly the first time around.

Meaning that your bump stop requirements for the tires are more than is needed to keep the track bar out of the diff cover?

FWIW, a few of us are more than familiar with adjusting and modifying multiple components to remove interferences, reduce bump stop extension, and increase up travel. That can include reshaping the track bar even to clear a stock diff cover.