JKS front adjustable trackbar issue

[skrelnik]

We use a shop press to compress the urethane races enough to get the snap ring into the groove. You can do it with a chunk of all thread and some creative socket use. Remember, you are trying to squash the race so you need the side away from the groove to be working against the barrel of the JJ. Otherwise, you can compress the races and the groove still won't be fully exposed.

So on the side away from the groove there should be a socket similar in diameter as the barrel itself. Then on the same side as where the grooves are you can use a socket slightly smaller than the diameter of barrel, but enough space to get the snap ring to fit over the socket and into the barrel. Probably good to use a washer to provide pushing to more area of the bushing. Obviously a nut and bolt as well. Sweet! Thank you for this one!!!

 

[Specks]

I can happily say the root of the issue has been found and problem resolved. When I installed the ZJ tie rod and new TJ drag link, the drag link sleeve was where the issue stemmed from. The drag link end was not in the sleeve enough, it was about a half inch short. Due to the drag link end being a half inch short inside of the sleeve, it shifted the drag link's connection point for the steering stabilizer a half inch closer to the passenger side. Due to this, when making a right turn the steering stabilizer would become fully compressed, so when turning the steering wheel all the way to the right the fully compressed steering stabilizer would knock the axle side bracket, the same axle side bracket that the track bar is connected to. Thus the track bar was being pulled and most likely caused the frame side's snap ring to pop.

Wow, learned a lot on this one. I assume this is a way to control camber since this drag link issue caused negative camber. I do not know if that is a proper way to adjust camber but I am back to normal after the fix.

@mrblaine - I was unable to get the washer into the track bar bushing housing, the one that sits between the bushing and snap ring. Is that an issue? If yes, how the heck do you get that much pressure on the washer to allow the snap ring to seat in the internal grooves? Some sort of special press? Any home depot methods possible?

Special thanks to Codaman for his post, and Jerry and Ohiopatriot for getting me thinking about this correctly.

https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/setting-toe-in-tell-me-my-theory-is-wrong.9372/

I guess I'll resurrect this thread as my front track bar doesn't pass the eye test and it has bothered me. I too did the ZJ upgrade and this thread has shed some light on what to possibly look for.

To the OP did your track bar look "bound" like mine does in the pics below? I looked at my drag bar connection and the driver side might be too far in.

 

[skrelnik]

I guess I'll resurrect this thread as my front track bar doesn't pass the eye test and it has bothered me. I too did the ZJ upgrade and this thread has shed some light on what to possibly look for.

To the OP did your track bar look "bound" like mine does in the pics below? I looked at my drag bar connection and the driver side might be too far in.


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Mine didn't look bound, but, by the time I figured out what happened the bushing and internals popped out the housing.

Did you change your drag link? That was my issue, didn't properly measure the mounting points and mine was slightly off centered causing the issue.

Have you noticed any symptoms, like Jeep pulling one way, or anything?

 

[Specks]

Mine didn't look bound, but, by the time I figured out what happened the bushing and internals popped out the housing.

Did you change your drag link? That was my issue, didn't properly measure the mounting points and mine was slightly off centered causing the issue.

Have you noticed any symptoms, like Jeep pulling one way, or anything?

I did replace the drag link with the DS1430.

It isn't really pulling but something just seems a tad off. Im re-thinking all I did (2" OME Lift), checked the toe in and even ordered the toe in plates to confirm when I set the toe in using 4' levels. The steering seemed much better once I went to 1/8" of toe.

I've just always felt once installing the front track bar it looked a little off and shouldn't be biased like it currently is. I tried to get the axle centered by driving back and forth and jumping up and down on the bumper but it would never center perfectly. I had to use a ratchet strap to pull it to one side.

 

[skrelnik]

I did replace the drag link with the DS1430.

It isn't really pulling but something just seems a tad off. Im re-thinking all I did (2" OME Lift), checked the toe in and even ordered the toe in plates to confirm when I set the toe in using 4' levels. The steering seemed much better once I went to 1/8" of toe.

I've just always felt once installing the front track bar it looked a little off and shouldn't be biased like it currently is. I tried to get the axle centered by driving back and forth and jumping up and down on the bumper but it would never center perfectly. I had to use a ratchet strap to pull it to one side.

Does the front axle still appear to be off-centered?

Have you done a steering test turning the wheel all the way right and then left to see if the steering stabilizer is properly aligned?

 

[Specks]

Does the front axle still appear to be off-centered?

Have you done a steering test turning the wheel all the way right and then left to see if the steering stabilizer is properly aligned?

The axle is now centered. As I mentioned earlier I had to use a ratchet strap to get it to line up correctly.

I did do a dry steering test when I was chasing some wandering. I was looking for slop in the joints. Everything looked ok but I may have missed something. I know I didn’t pay attention to whether the steering stabilizer was bottoming out.

Would it be asking too much if you or someone else could take a pic of yours and post it here? In particular the bottom bolt that attaches the bar to the frame?

 

[Specks]

I dropped the track bar and re-installed as it was naturally sitting. I had to adjust it a little. The bolt is now perfectly centered. I may have ratcheted it tad too much initially. My mind can now be at ease.

Thanks for your replies.

 

[skrelnik]

The axle is now centered. As I mentioned earlier I had to use a ratchet strap to get it to line up correctly.

I did do a dry steering test when I was chasing some wandering. I was looking for slop in the joints. Everything looked ok but I may have missed something. I know I didn’t pay attention to whether the steering stabilizer was bottoming out.

Would it be asking too much if you or someone else could take a pic of yours and post it here? In particular the bottom bolt that attaches the bar to the frame?

No trouble at all for me, and I can snap a picture or two in the morning when the sun awakes.

 

[skrelnik]

I dropped the track bar and re-installed as it was naturally sitting. I had to adjust it a little. The bolt is now perfectly centered. I may have ratcheted it tad too much initially. My mind can now be at ease.

Thanks for your replies.

Maybe that is all that was needed, after you re-centered the trackbar was a little off center, and now you readjusted and all is good.