Howdy gentlemen, I've got an issue here that I'm hoping I can get resolved. Considering it's my daily driver I need this fixed as soon as I can.
A couple months after I bought my 98 TJ I noticed some sounds and the front end felt a little loose. It felt creaking and popping sometimes. When I looked into it was a loose or bad Hiem joint on my track bar end. Ended up getting a different Hiem joint that didn't end up fitting the bar, and then I bought the Rough Country adjustable track bar for it. I think my rig has a 3" lift on it. After a lot of swearing and grinding that dumb bolt off the bottom bushing part of the bar I finally was able to replace it with the rough country bar.
But when I installed it I noticed that the ball joint went to high up into the frame hole mount. The castle nut was all the way tight when too many threads from the bolt were exposed so the cotter pin would have been useless if that makes sense. So I had to ease the tension a little bit to make the cotter pin do it's job. I tried my best to center the axle by reading a bunch of threads on here (bouncing on it, ect) and my drivers side wheel is still too far out. Definetly and inch or so off center.
But anyways, I filled up that ball joint with grease and the whole thing was tight. Immediately felt better driving, especially on bumps and turns. But that only lasted 4 days.... Now the whole things loose and there is play in it. Only thing I can figure is the owner before my had reamed out the frame mount or something for the Hiem joint. I can't tighten it anymore if that makes sense. Definitely doesn't feel safe to drive
My question is what track bar end can I fit in the mount that that Hiem joint used to be in? What hiem or ball joint will fit in the Rough Country track bar?
I will provide pictures as well. I appreciate all the help I can get.
Thanks
A couple months after I bought my 98 TJ I noticed some sounds and the front end felt a little loose. It felt creaking and popping sometimes. When I looked into it was a loose or bad Hiem joint on my track bar end. Ended up getting a different Hiem joint that didn't end up fitting the bar, and then I bought the Rough Country adjustable track bar for it. I think my rig has a 3" lift on it. After a lot of swearing and grinding that dumb bolt off the bottom bushing part of the bar I finally was able to replace it with the rough country bar.
But when I installed it I noticed that the ball joint went to high up into the frame hole mount. The castle nut was all the way tight when too many threads from the bolt were exposed so the cotter pin would have been useless if that makes sense. So I had to ease the tension a little bit to make the cotter pin do it's job. I tried my best to center the axle by reading a bunch of threads on here (bouncing on it, ect) and my drivers side wheel is still too far out. Definetly and inch or so off center.
But anyways, I filled up that ball joint with grease and the whole thing was tight. Immediately felt better driving, especially on bumps and turns. But that only lasted 4 days.... Now the whole things loose and there is play in it. Only thing I can figure is the owner before my had reamed out the frame mount or something for the Hiem joint. I can't tighten it anymore if that makes sense. Definitely doesn't feel safe to drive
My question is what track bar end can I fit in the mount that that Hiem joint used to be in? What hiem or ball joint will fit in the Rough Country track bar?
I will provide pictures as well. I appreciate all the help I can get.
Thanks
