Problem With Metalcloak Track Bar

[g.hayduke]

Hey guys & gals. I recently installed a Metalcloak track bar and the Currie CurrrectLink steering on my '05 LJR. All was great until the first time I drove it in dusty conditions. A horrible loud creaking started coming from the front end when the suspension moved up or down or even when turning the steering wheel. At first I thought it might be the Currectlink because most of the movement when steering is in the tierod ends but that was not the culprit.

It turned out the heim joint on the track bar was the culprit and I think it's already ruined. I was able to stop the creaking by spraying some WD40 on the heim joint but now there is more play in the steering than there was before the creaking started. I had to drive about 75 miles to get to a town where I could get some WD40 (now lives in the Jeep). I guess I should have tried soem motor oil on it but I really didn't think that was the culprit/

Anyone else have a similar experience? Metalcloak does not provide any lubrication instructions for this piece so I'm not sure what the deal is but I'm not real happy about it. I sent them a message via their web site. They did not answer the phone.

 

[JeepZilla380]

I would keep trying MetalCloak directly, I've had good luck using their online chat feature first, then getting a tech on the phone. Seems the heim joint can fail over time, and its not usually a component that can be lubricated. MC's support seems pretty good when I've had issues in the past, wouldn't t be surprised if they mail you out a new TC end. Not that that will fix the problem permanently though. Just started getting some front end squeaks and creaks this weekend as well, need to try a temp lube on the same joint to see if that is my culprit as well.

 

[astjp2]

2 words: HEIM JOINT

 

[g.hayduke]

This thing is basically brand new, maybe a few hundred miles on it at most. First time off road, sounded like the front end was falling apart.

I am not seeing a chat function on their site...

 

[strumble8]

Dry garage door lubes work well and will not attract dust and dirt doesn't take much and should help it quiet down

 

[JeepZilla380]

This thing is basically brand new, maybe a few hundred miles on it at most. First time off road, sounded like the front end was falling apart.
I am not seeing a chat function on their site...

Hmm, been a while since I tried to hit their support, maybe that functionally it offline. They are CA based, maybe phone support will pick up soon?

My trackball prob has close to 10k on it, and just now getting noises, which may or may not be coming from the bar.

 

[g.hayduke]

I got through to Will at Metalcloak. He said a heim joint creaking is not a typical failure but he also said he uses wax-based motorcycle chain lube on his. Hmmm.

He seems to think the bolt is not torqued to spec and probably the source of the creaking. I will double-check the bolt but it was installed per their instructions. And the creaking sound would continue as the suspension continued to move. Not like it was making a sound until the bolt hit the edge of the hole and then stopped while the suspension continued to move.

He also asked about the nature of the dust implying that certain types of dust are more likely to cause problems with the joint than others. I don't think the dust was in any way remarkable. It was basically near Toroweap, AZ.

He did agree to send me (after I requested it) a new heim joint, bolt, nut, and spacers. So I'm satisfied with that for now.

 

[06TJ35's]

It will most likely happen again sooner or later. Few hundred miles and it already failed. I call that no good. Like @astjp2 said Heim joint.

 

[06TJ35's]

I would suggest on selling it or see if they can refund you(don’t know if they can) and get a Jks or currie track bar.

 

[JeepZilla380]

I got through to Will at Metalcloak. He said a heim joint creaking is not a typical failure but he also said he uses wax-based motorcycle chain lube on his. Hmmm.

He seems to think the bolt is not torqued to spec and probably the source of the creaking. I will double-check the bolt but it was installed per their instructions. And the creaking sound would continue as the suspension continued to move. Not like it was making a sound until the bolt hit the edge of the hole and then stopped while the suspension continued to move.

He also asked about the nature of the dust implying that certain types of dust are more likely to cause problems with the joint than others. I don't think the dust was in any way remarkable. It was basically near Toroweap, AZ.

He did agree to send me (after I requested it) a new heim joint, bolt, nut, and spacers. So I'm satisfied with that for now.

Good to know Hayduke! Windrock was INCREDIBLY dusty this weekend, and I elected to run without a top and doors one. Be cleaning up for months. I may try to hit my Heim with some lube and find somewhere to flex the Jeep some to determine if that was my creak. I installed my MC Trackball 4 years and about 25k miles ago, this was the first creaking I've had out of it so maybe its time for a free replacement?

 

[g.hayduke]

get a Jks or currie track bar

Not really an option at this point without some welding since I believe MC TB required drilling out both mounts larger than other TBs.

 

[jeepndogs]

I have replaced mine 3 times in 18 months. On the list of things to replace and throw in the trash

 

[Jerry Bransford]

Don't use WD-40 if it needs to stay as a lubricant more than a few days. WD-40 is technically a solvent and a poor lubricant. Its viscosity is so thin it soon evaporates. A dry lube would be my choice for that particular location as you don't want it attracting dirt/dust.

I wish I could say I was anything but a non-believer where anything with MC's name on it is concerned.

 

[PisgahLJ]

Got mine a little over a year ago. It Started Creeking about a week after install. I just hit the heim with a shot of silicon spray lube once a month and have had no issues.

 

[Brian83]

Mine is about 18 months old and I have had zero issues with it.

 

[astjp2]

Mine is about 18 months old and I have had zero issues with it.

Oklahoma is not even on the same planet as Arizona when it comes to dust...I would be more worried about mold than dust in the humidity of Oklahoma

 

[astjp2]

Mine is about 18 months old and I have had zero issues with it.

Oklahoma is not even on the same planet as Arizona when it comes to dust...I would be more worried about mold than dust in the humidity of Oklahoma

 

[Brian83]

Oklahoma is not even on the same planet as Arizona when it comes to dust...I would be more worried about mold than dust in the humidity of Oklahoma

I take it you have never been to western Oklahoma then?

 

[astjp2]

I take it you have never been to western Oklahoma then?

Oh yeah I have, but still not the same thing...

 

[Brian83]

Oh yeah I have, but still not the same thing...

I've worked in southern New Mexico and west Texas and I can tell you there are parts of Oklahoma that are just as dusty.

 

[xxdabroxx]

I'm no MC fanboy but I've had mine for a couple years and a probably 15k miles. I don't even know it's there. Had money been no object I would have went Currie though.