Problem With Metalcloak Track Bar
- Thread starter g.hayduke
- Start date
It could be as simple as any smaller joint isn't going to be strong enough for the application. It would explain why the MC heim is failing so often since it's even smaller, and not a JJ.
Very well could be. I ordered an EMF adjustable, greasable and rebuildable heim. Everything I can find on their products says they are top notch. Being able to adjust it should make the life plenty long. Will post up when I receive my order.
I have an older MC rear trackbar on my jeep. Never had any instructions for it.
Is 150 standard torque for the frame side heim joint? I'm using a grade 8 bolt.
The EMF joint showed up today, a day late but reasonable time coming from Canada I guess. Was packed well and they threw in a couple stickers. Joint seems well built
and stout, hoping to install tomorrow.
The noise I had thought was the heim joint wasn’t...
I brought jeep in for alignment and upper control arm adjustment because they gave me a hell of a time last time. While it was at shop the mechanic sprayed some of the bolts the go to the poison Spyder front fenders at the tub. Not sure what stopped it but the noise is gone. Obviously just going to install the joint anyways at this point, but figures it shows up the problem is remedied.
and stout, hoping to install tomorrow.
The noise I had thought was the heim joint wasn’t...
I brought jeep in for alignment and upper control arm adjustment because they gave me a hell of a time last time. While it was at shop the mechanic sprayed some of the bolts the go to the poison Spyder front fenders at the tub. Not sure what stopped it but the noise is gone. Obviously just going to install the joint anyways at this point, but figures it shows up the problem is remedied.
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Started install, thought the bolt was going to be the problem, ended up taking off front tire for more room broke it loose fairly easy, probably should’ve done the jam nut first and hit it with a penetrant a few days ago it’s giving me a hell of a time getting it off, hit it with the yellow Map gas torch and some Freeze off, still won’t budge. Retightened the bolt and nut to get rid of any slack but it’s on there good...
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I just adjusted my track bar after installed different front springs. That’s when I found the play. So mine should be pretty straight forward to RNR.
Anyone know offhand what size the OD of the jam nut is ? I’m assuming over an Inch, none of my wrenches are big enough and the adjustable isn’t cutting it so far.
Are you talking about the “retainer ring” for lack of better term facing down ? Only issue with that I see is it’ll make greasing a bit cumbersome but if it’s safer...then I’ll do it that way.
EDIT: ended up installing grease fitting out for now, I’m kind of weary of torquing all the way to 150ft/lbs after seeing that other ball crack....it’s at 120 now, going to keep it at that until I can confirm with EMF.
So I texted the tech support number on Saturday about the torque specs, about an hr or so later I got a reply, they said 150 should be ok and it’ll start deforming at 200. Super impressed to get a response on the weekend.
And for the jam nut issue I’m an idiot, I was so focused on the just going the direction to spin the nut off the stud overlooking that it can’t go that way as it’s jammed there lol, to realize I needed to back it off and go the wrong direction....smh good to go now !
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So I installed the new joint (the first time) with the drivers side jacked up for easier access to the nut and bolt. Put it all back together and drove it quick and it didn’t seem right. Which I’m assuming because the axle was not level/vehicles weight on it. So I jacked up drivers side again and unbolted it.
Put jeep back down with both tires on ground and re installed. Drove it a bit and found it wasn’t centered, disconnected again jumped on bumper and drove back and forth a few times and it was better. Retorqued everything down but now the steering wheel is cocked a good amount to the left when wheels are straight...
Is the solution as simple as adjusting the tie rod/steering setup ? Not well versed in the suspension stuff most of the time I’ll watch YouTube videos and read threads to get through it lol. And I have the Currie Currectlync if that makes a difference.
Put jeep back down with both tires on ground and re installed. Drove it a bit and found it wasn’t centered, disconnected again jumped on bumper and drove back and forth a few times and it was better. Retorqued everything down but now the steering wheel is cocked a good amount to the left when wheels are straight...
Is the solution as simple as adjusting the tie rod/steering setup ? Not well versed in the suspension stuff most of the time I’ll watch YouTube videos and read threads to get through it lol. And I have the Currie Currectlync if that makes a difference.
Make sure the track bar is adjusted so axle is centered. Then adjust drag link to center steering wheel.
after jumping on the front and driving back and forth a few times it’s pretty damn close and much better than it was initially.
I couldn’t wrap my head around how just rolling the adjusting sleeve would move the steering wheel but it worked and is good to go now, went almost too smoothly.
Joint seems good seems like it should hold up well.
I'm interested to see if these EMF joints hold up better than the original MC joints.
I bought a Johhny Joint to replace my MC heim joint but wasn't comfortable with that experiment and never installed it. So I have a MC track bar with a bad heim joint, a new replacement heim joint, and a JJ that could be swapped for the heim joint. I don't plan to use any of this stuff.
My (hopefully final) solution was to buy a Currie Rock Jock track bar and be done with it. I called and they agreed to swap out the axle-end JJ with one that works with a 9/16" bolt. It is installed and just clears everything with my 2" lift. If I didn't have adjustable CAs (savvy uppers, Currie lowers) shortened up to their minimum length, I'm pretty sure I would have clearance issues.
I bought a Johhny Joint to replace my MC heim joint but wasn't comfortable with that experiment and never installed it. So I have a MC track bar with a bad heim joint, a new replacement heim joint, and a JJ that could be swapped for the heim joint. I don't plan to use any of this stuff.
My (hopefully final) solution was to buy a Currie Rock Jock track bar and be done with it. I called and they agreed to swap out the axle-end JJ with one that works with a 9/16" bolt. It is installed and just clears everything with my 2" lift. If I didn't have adjustable CAs (savvy uppers, Currie lowers) shortened up to their minimum length, I'm pretty sure I would have clearance issues.
My EMF is installed but I only put a couple hundred miles on it before I parked the Jeep again and tore the rear down. Once I can put some real miles on it I'll come back with more opinion. It seems real nice
My EMF joint is too new to report on. Being that it is adjustable it should last a very long time. As long as it doesn’t squeak like the MC joint I will be happy.
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