Adjustable Trackbar Installation

[LukeDagny]

As for centering the axle, what is the acceptable tolerance? 1/8", less, slightly more?

1/8" is fine. When I had my LJ, I paid to have a lift kit installed with a track bar was not adjustable. It required drilling a new bolt hole. Even with the new bolt hole, my axle was off over 1/2". My Jeep drove fine, but I couldn't stand knowing it wasn't centered. I installed an adjustable track bar and centered the axle.

I used an adjustable rachet strap to get it centered. Instead of measuring from the side of my tires and fender edges, I used my laser level. I hung plumb bobs from the centers of the front and rear bumpers, and used my laser level to shine on both plumb bob lines at the same time. With the level shining a line from front to back, I would measure from the brake rotor on each side, and the laser light would show up on my tape measure.

Tens of thousands, and maybe millions of people have centered their axles by measuring from the side to their tires to the fender edges.

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[scorpionsix]

turn your steering wheel one way or another and check access and also if you jack up the frame on the passenger side it will open things up too. you want to use a socket and bigger ratchet to remove the bolt and then use a torq wrench to install. i have done a bunch and it is very doable. might need an extension on your socket. you can also use a jackstand ie jack your axle up and slide a jackstand under the frame at the front wheel opening and then lower the axle..

I went full right turn in the garage last evening and that resulted in direct socket & ratchet access. Unfortunately all my 13/16" sockets are 3/8" drive but I do have a good cheater pipe. And they are 12 point so that should offer some additional bite. Trackbar is scheduled for delivery today so we'll see how it goes.

 

[jadmt]

I went full right turn in the garage last evening and that resulted in direct socket & ratchet access. Unfortunately all my 13/16" sockets are 3/8" drive but I do have a good cheater pipe. And they are 12 point so that should offer some additional bite. Trackbar is scheduled for delivery today so we'll see how it goes.

go get a 21mm 6 point 1/2 drive socket...and a torq wrench if you don't have one.

 

[scorpionsix]

go get a 21mm 6 point 1/2 drive socket...and a torq wrench if you don't have one.

I have up to 19 then 22mm 6 point sockets (of course). The 13/16" fit with zero slack but I'll get the 21mm. Could be that the 12 pt was snug but not what should be used. I do have a good torque wrench and 1/2" drive ratchet already so I should only be out $5 or so for the socket. As for red Loctite, the TeraFlex trackbar has a slightly different adjustment in that there are parallel bolts on a collar instead of a single nut on the short end of the trackbar. Not sure if that specific setup should have the Loctite applied. Anyone else have a TeraFlex adjustable and did you use red Loctite?

 

[jadmt]

I have up to 19 then 22mm 6 point sockets (of course). The 13/16" fit with zero slack but I'll get the 21mm. Could be that the 12 pt was snug but not what should be used. I do have a good torque wrench and 1/2" drive ratchet already so I should only be out $5 or so for the socket. As for red Loctite, the TeraFlex trackbar has a slightly different adjustment in that there are parallel bolts on a collar instead of a single nut on the short end of the trackbar. Not sure if that specific setup should have the Loctite applied. Anyone else have a TeraFlex adjustable and did you use red Loctite?

I would not use red locktight on those maybe blue locktight..I run a steersmarts and use no locktight on it the collar bolts... I have used Teraflex in the past that used similar collar to what the JL track bar has and just used blue lock tight..serves two purposes one it keeps the bolts tight but also keeps them from siezing so you can loosen them later when/if you need to.

 

[BDinTX]

We have front and rear TF trackbars on both jeeps. I didn't use any Loctite but I it wasn't something I thought about and intentionally decided not to. I just followed their instructions.

I will say, the one time I tried to adjust the length on one of them, I was unable to torque them back to 60 ft-lb. The original bolts, and then new replacement bolts all twisted in half before I could get there. I think the collar stretches a bit over time which allows the two sides of the collar to come into contact where they do not when new.

 

[scorpionsix]

I got the original track bar out without much issue other than those mounting bolts sure seemed tighter than 52 ft/lbs. I had about a 30" cheater pipe on a 1/2"drive ratchet but they did comply. Never having done a track bar replacement, I thought the original one was fairly stout. Then a couple hours later UPS shows up and I got my hands on the new one. Hell yeah! I measured the original then adjusted the new TeraFlex unit and it went in with no fuss and both mounting bolts slid right in. But getting them torqued back down has been less than fun. I got them fairly tight then drove a little over a mile to the parts store to borrow their 1/2" drive torque wrench as mine is 3/8". I didn't feel like buying one for a single job. I just can't get them to spec with the vehicle on the ground, even with a 3" lift. The problem then became leverage as the cheater pipe didn't fit over the handle of the torque wrench. I'm going to the orange big box store on Friday for two things: A hardened 3/8" to 1/2" drive adapter and a fatter cheater pipe. I'm going to use the adapter with my torque wrench coupled with the new and improved (larger circumference) cheater pipe to get everything fully tightened. Based on effort to remove the original bar, I must be close but that's not going to be good enough flying down the highway. I didn't mention the two collar bolts but they too are close.

 

[jadmt]

It is not just 52 ft/lbs it is 52 ft/lbs plus 115* frame side and 52 ft/lbs plus 155° axle side. I would go like 125-130ftlbs. drive your front end up on some ramps so you have room to muscle the torq wrench.

 

[Trails]

Based on effort to remove the original bar, I must be close but that's not going to be good enough flying down the highway. I didn't mention the two collar bolts but they too are close.

One method that I have used if In think I am close, but it has not yet "clicked" the torque wrench is the following: Turn down the setting on your torque wrench somewhat and experiment, and see if it clicks at a slightly lower setting. If you are getting close, then great. Keep trying to get it a little tighter. If you are only halfway there, and it's already difficult, then you might have to consider other methods to tighten it.

 

[scorpionsix]

One method that I have used if In think I am close, but it has not yet "clicked" the torque wrench is the following: Turn down the setting on your torque wrench somewhat and experiment, and see if it clicks at a slightly lower setting. If you are getting close, then great. Keep trying to get it a little tighter. If you are only halfway there, and it's already difficult, then you might have to consider other methods to tighten it.

That's a great idea and I was thinking the same, lower the setting, get a click then step it up until it's there. Thanks.

 

[scorpionsix]

It is not just 52 ft/lbs it is 52 ft/lbs plus 115* frame side and 52 ft/lbs plus 155° axle side. I would go like 125-130ftlbs. drive your front end up on some ramps so you have room to muscle the torq wrench.

I forgot about the additional math but I know I'm well beyond 52 fl/lbs. I"m going to have to borrow or buy (hopefully borrow) a 1/2" drive torque wrench . My 3/8" doesn't go that far. The one I borrowed at O'Reilly last night and used in the parking lot was crap. Hopefully big orange has a better one to borrow or rent. I do have some ramps and will incorporate them. I'm just concerned about the passenger side. I had to turn the wheel hard right to access the bolt. Might have to incorporate a tall curb technique.

 

[jadmt]

I will say it once and be done...buy 1/2 drive torq wrench..you will use it throughout the life of your jeep...you have to retorq your suspension every 5000 miles or so( retorq after every offroad trip to Moab or longer offroad trips) and by doing so will keep death wobble away....you need 130 ft/lbs of torq for your lug nuts...you will use it...Tekton on amazon has been reliable for me over many years. i have had a craftsman torq wrench for 40 years....

 

[scorpionsix]

I will say it once and be done...buy 1/2 drive torq wrench..you will use it throughout the life of your jeep...you have to retorq your suspension every 5000 miles or so and by doing so will keep death wobble away....you need 130 ft/lbs of torq for your lug nuts...you will use it...Tekton on amazon has been reliable for me over many years. i have had a craftsman torq wrench for 40 years....

I came to that realization last night. What's ironic is I have rarely used the 3/8" torque wrench I purchase around 25 years ago but I'll get a 1/2" version and it will get used a few times a year just on this track bar.

 

[scorpionsix]

I came to that realization last night. What's ironic is I have rarely used the 3/8" torque wrench I purchase around 25 years ago but I'll get a 1/2" version and it will get used a few times a year just on this track bar.

When the install instructions mentioned re-torquing every few thousand miles (indefinitely) is when the epiphany struck.

 

[scorpionsix]

Well after purchasing a Craftsman 1/2" drive torque wrench at ACE TruValue for $99 I got to setting the torque. Turns out I must have been real damn close to start with as the wrench clicked after a few very small (due to angles and clearance) partial turns. Then immediately on the initial test drive, what those in the know occurred: Traction control light came on, warning message about the electronic steering system and the steering wheel was off to the right by approx. 45 degrees. My initial reaction was not a good one. Upon returning home, I quickly found a tutorial video on this very scenario and am now within a few small adjustments of the drag link bar of having it just right.

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