Novak Conversions Jeep Wrangler TJ engine mounts

Rear track bar not aligning in frame mount

j_pawlak34

j_pawlak34

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Jun 30, 2025
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Villa Park, IL.
Hey yall, I’m at stand-still trying to get this rear track bar back on. My jeep has been through a bunch the past couple months. I recently had a 4” lift thrown on along with tires. I’ve been trying to get a rear adjustable track bar on but my problem is the end of the bar that goes into the mount on the frame enters it on an angle horizontally. This doesn’t allow me to push the bolt through. I’ve heard that the axle can be unaligned and can cause problems. Keep in mind I had my old OEM track bar bracket snapped off due to rust and had a new one welded in. If anyone has any suggestions I am very open, because you’d be saving me lol. If any pictures are needed please let me know and i’ll try and get them posted fast.
 
j_pawlak34 said:
Hey yall, I’m at stand-still trying to get this rear track bar back on. My jeep has been through a bunch the past couple months. I recently had a 4” lift thrown on along with tires. I’ve been trying to get a rear adjustable track bar on but my problem is the end of the bar that goes into the mount on the frame enters it on an angle horizontally. This doesn’t allow me to push the bolt through. I’ve heard that the axle can be unaligned and can cause problems. Keep in mind I had my old OEM track bar bracket snapped off due to rust and had a new one welded in. If anyone has any suggestions I am very open, because you’d be saving me lol. If any pictures are needed please let me know and i’ll try and get them posted fast.
Click to expand...

Did you add in a relocation bracket since you installed a 4" lift? It goes on the axle side bracket and angles it forward. Pics of the whole thing you are dealing with would certainly help others help you.
 
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JMT said:
Did you get one of these?

https://www.rockjock4x4.com/CE-9121N
Click to expand...
hosejockey61 said:
Did you add in a relocation bracket since you installed a 4" lift? It goes on the axle side bracket and angles it forward. Pics of the whole thing you are dealing with would certainly help others help you.
Click to expand...
I have not ordered a relocation bracket yet. I have a “drop bracket” from the RC lift kit. I’m not sure if they are the same thing or i would need the angled bracket. I should be able to get photos in today if i get the chance.
 
j_pawlak34 said:
I have not ordered a relocation bracket yet. I have a “drop bracket” from the RC lift kit. I’m not sure if they are the same thing or i would need the angled bracket. I should be able to get photos in today if i get the chance.
Click to expand...

a 4” lift requires substantial raising of the pinion angle (supposing you have a DC drive driveshaft). That rotates the axle back and tends to push the rear trackbar into the gas tank or gas tank crossmember at full stuff. The angled bracket moves the axle side rear trackbar bracket forward to eliminate that problem and it lines up the trackbar joint at the frame so you can put your bolt through.

Anything “drop” sounds like it is an inferior solution to a problem.
 
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You have it on the ground, right? I could imagine it being a pain at ride height and near impossible drooped.
 
JMT said:
a 4” lift requires substantial raising of the pinion angle (supposing you have a DC drive driveshaft). That rotates the axle back and tends to push the rear trackbar into the gas tank or gas tank crossmember at full stuff. The angled bracket moves the axle side rear trackbar bracket forward to eliminate that problem and it lines up the trackbar joint at the frame so you can put your bolt through.

Anything “drop” sounds like it is an inferior solution to a problem.
Click to expand...

Looks like the RC 4" has an axle side track bar relocation bracket (moves the mount upwards) and uses a skid plate spacer. They have a side note for adjustable rears and a SYE/DC "potentially" needed for AT.

1770052897545.png


1770052858214.png



Lift: https://www.roughcountry.com/produc...eYCbctMpSm2VwG8YNMb3Ji07-q0FsjXotd_X_u7mmvThF
Instructions: https://s3.amazonaws.com/roughcountry/install/921906300.pdf
 
GATORB8 said:
Looks like the RC 4" has an axle side track bar relocation bracket (moves the mount upwards) and uses a skid plate spacer. They have a side note for adjustable rears and a SYE/DC "potentially" needed for AT.

View attachment 670090

View attachment 670089


Lift: https://www.roughcountry.com/produc...eYCbctMpSm2VwG8YNMb3Ji07-q0FsjXotd_X_u7mmvThF
Instructions: https://s3.amazonaws.com/roughcountry/install/921906300.pdf
Click to expand...

As far as I can recall with my past lifts, a drop bracket can be used up to about a 2.5” suspension lift, but when you get to 4” territory you’re in need of also dropping the TCase if you keep that drop bracket. The best solution is get an SYE and DC and adjustable arms and that’s going to require rotating the axle back. Then you need that angled bracket to keep the trackbar out of the gas tank stuff. All part of the game as you well know.
 
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j_pawlak34 said:
I’ve been trying to get a rear adjustable track bar on but my problem is the end of the bar that goes into the mount on the frame enters it on an angle horizontally. This doesn’t allow me to push the bolt through.
Click to expand...

Everybody already informed you about the relocation bracket, etc.... But my question is, if it is an adjustable track bar, why don't you loosen the jamb nut and turn the adjustable end to allow for it to align, then tighten it back up?
 
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hosejockey61 said:
Did you add in a relocation bracket since you installed a 4" lift? It goes on the axle side bracket and angles it forward. Pics of the whole thing you are dealing with would certainly help others help you.
Click to expand...
I was able to get a couple pics of my problem they should be below:
image.jpg
image.jpg

(i know the bar isn’t that close to the holes but it does this no matter the length of the bar)
 
j_pawlak34 said:
Yeah I heard you should have the jeep on the ground when installing the bar.
Click to expand...

To confirm, I'm assuming your axle is moved forward in the control arm arch, so it's like the track bar is pointing a bit rearward at the frame side, right?

I'd assume in a short arm the CAs would be pointing down with 4" of lift. If so, squatting it should push the axle back and make it easier to align. Could load up the trunk with something heavy or have a fat friend stand on the back. If you were closer, I'd come weigh it down for you, lol.

Doesn't look like it will be very happy in the long run, but should get your bolt in for the short term.
 
GATORB8 said:
To confirm, I'm assuming your axle is moved forward in the control arm arch, so it's like the track bar is pointing a bit rearward at the frame side, right?

I'd assume in a short arm the CAs would be pointing down with 4" of lift. If so, squatting it should push the axle back and make it easier to align. Could load up the trunk with something heavy or have a fat friend stand on the back. If you were closer, I'd come weigh it down for you, lol.

Doesn't look like it will be very happy in the long run, but should get your bolt in for the short term.
Click to expand...

You are correct, the bar is pointing a bit rearward. I will try your idea out and see if it works. I might also take some measurements to confirm if the axle somehow shifted back or forth
 
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I had the exact same problem with a stock rear trackbar. I put a pipe wrench on the damn thing and twisted it until it lined up. Now with that said, it probably was because the axle was still dropped, dummy me didn't think about putting it back together and trying the trackbar again.
 
j_pawlak34 said:
I was able to get a couple pics of my problem they should be below:
View attachment 670138View attachment 670139
(i know the bar isn’t that close to the holes but it does this no matter the length of the bar)
Click to expand...

If you get a relocation bracket, it will resolve that. The bend forward in the bracket will cause the track bar to align as it should. As @gasiorv stated. with an adjustable trackbar it will be that much easier. if your track bar is not adjustable, then the relation bracket is needed that much more.
 
hosejockey61 said:
If you get a relocation bracket, it will resolve that. The bend forward in the bracket will cause the track bar to align as it should. As @gasiorv stated. with an adjustable trackbar it will be that much easier. if your track bar is not adjustable, then the relation bracket is needed that much more.
Click to expand...

My stock bar was in such a bind it would have eventually ripped the bracket off the frame,the jks angled bracket and adjustable track bar was just awesome,it centered my tires and got it forward to clear the fuel tank.highly recommend this.
 
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Moglocker said:
My stock bar was in such a bind it would have eventually ripped the bracket off the frame,the jks angled bracket and adjustable track bar was just awesome,it centered my tires and got it forward to clear the fuel tank.highly recommend this.
Click to expand...

I also did this, but after lifting mine, both ends of the track bar were tough to get back in place, both with the initial non-angled relocation bracket and the JKS angled bracket. I think both times i ended up unhooking the upper links and tilting the axle with a jack to get the bolts lined up, then got the arms hooked back up.
 
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j_pawlak34 said:
Hey yall, I’m at stand-still trying to get this rear track bar back on. My jeep has been through a bunch the past couple months. I recently had a 4” lift thrown on along with tires. I’ve been trying to get a rear adjustable track bar on but my problem is the end of the bar that goes into the mount on the frame enters it on an angle horizontally. This doesn’t allow me to push the bolt through. I’ve heard that the axle can be unaligned and can cause problems. Keep in mind I had my old OEM track bar bracket snapped off due to rust and had a new one welded in. If anyone has any suggestions I am very open, because you’d be saving me lol. If any pictures are needed please let me know and i’ll try and get them posted fast.
Click to expand...

I didn’t have that problem,looks like they maybe welded it misaligned,maybe rust made the location options limited?
 
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