Track bar install help

[UglyDuck]

Oh well for removing half the drag link for easy drilling of the mount. Not enough clearance behind the tie rod end near the steering stabilizer for it to come out. Might have to do the wheel side as well. Removing track bar now, will see if I have enough clearance to get my drill in before taking more stuff apart.

 

[UglyDuck]

I just did this.make sure you align the front end to toe in 1/8”

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Is that the original mount on the axle side?! Here’s mine (yes someone drilled it but doesn’t look as good as yours)

 

[DougyintheBushies]

Is that the original mount on the axle side?! Here’s mine (yes someone drilled it but doesn’t look as good as yours)

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Yes mine is factory also. I was lucky enough that my po didn’t drill another hole to relocate the factory track bar but they did install a drop bracket and drop pitman arm. I had to pop the Tierod out to have room to drill out the tapered mount.This side. See attached.

 

[UglyDuck]

Got it. Now to decided about hardware for the axle side mount. Fairly sloppy fit in the original hole. Thinking about going to first over size bolt, which happens to be SAE in this case.

 

[DougyintheBushies]

Got it. Now to decided about hardware for the axle side mount. Fairly sloppy fit in the original hole. Thinking about going to first over size bolt, which happens to be SAE in this case.

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From what others have said on here that it is the clamping force that holds the track bar . The bolt can be a little loose. Just torque to spec.

 

[DougyintheBushies]

Nice.I use Rigid also.

 

[UglyDuck]

From what others have said on here that it is the clamping force that holds the track bar . The bolt can be a little loose. Just torque to spec.

I get that but it’s still a shear load on the bolt. I suspect the bushing is designed to clamp in between the bracket and then not move.

 

[UglyDuck]

Feels much better. No more clunking.

 

[Rcroane]

I just did this.make sure you align the front end to toe in 1/8”

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Is toe alignment needed if just replacing the track bar?

 

[txbemis69]

Is toe alignment needed if just replacing the track bar?

it shouldn’t be.

 

[CharlesHS]

Is toe alignment needed if just replacing the track bar?

The only adjustment that may be required is centering the steering wheel depending upon the positioning of the old trac bar vs the new one.

 

[Rcroane]

Thanks for the replies. One more quick question.....I read about using a ratchet strap to help line up the axle bolt hole if things shift when removing the old track bar. Could I use a ratchet strap before I remove the old track bar to help prevent any shifting in the first place? I'll be replacing a stock TB with another stock TB.

 

[CharlesHS]

You could use a ratchet strap to line up the holes, but you could also enlist the assistance of a friend and use the steering wheel to move the body over the differential to align the bolt hole to slide the tie rod end stud into the frame hole or the bushing end into the axle bracket hole; which ever way you decide to install the bar.

 

[JMT]

Thanks for the replies. One more quick question.....I read about using a ratchet strap to help line up the axle bolt hole if things shift when removing the old track bar. Could I use a ratchet strap before I remove the old track bar to help prevent any shifting in the first place? I'll be replacing a stock TB with another stock TB.

You can try that. The strap will sudddenly come under tension and probably give some. You don't want to have it too tight before, or the bolt might be difficult to get out. Then again, it might help as the bolt gets almost all the way out since it likes to close the gap and catch teh bolt at the end and hold on for dear life!

 

[AndyG]

Thanks for the replies. One more quick question.....I read about using a ratchet strap to help line up the axle bolt hole if things shift when removing the old track bar. Could I use a ratchet strap before I remove the old track bar to help prevent any shifting in the first place? I'll be replacing a stock TB with another stock TB.

Catch is you don’t know which way it will drift - but usually it does drift apart, not closer it seems-

You can also manipulate it at install by turning the front wheels usually.

 

[Rcroane]

I read somewhere that when removing the old track bar, it is/can be under a lot of tension and I need to be careful. I was going to remove the axle side first....should I expect a lot of sudden/violent movement when I remove the bolt? Just want to be prepared. Thanks.

 

[CharlesHS]

There is some tension on the tracbar mounting points, but will not be tremendous.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

I read somewhere that when removing the old track bar, it is/can be under a lot of tension and I need to be careful. I was going to remove the axle side first....should I expect a lot of sudden/violent movement when I remove the bolt? Just want to be prepared. Thanks.

Front or rear?

 

[Rcroane]

Front or rear?

Sorry.....front.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

Sorry.....front.

That's a non-issue so long as you replace it with the tires on the ground, it will not be under much, if any, tension.