Broken Front Track Bar Mount

[Pig-Pen]

Vinman is correct.. the trackbar was mounted to the front side of the trackbar bracket.. did you install the trackbar? dealer? off-road shop?...

a metal shop can fix the mount, but since the integrity of the trackbar mount has been compromised, a reinforcement bracket would be a good idea.

https://metalcloak.com/jl-wrangler-front-track-bar-reinforcement-bracket.html

at that point may as well improve your steering by getting a steersmarts sector shaft brace. seems to be easier install as well reading the reviews.

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[Maverick909]

this is a installers problem. whom ever put that track bar in did it wrong. you can see the broken piece pinched between the bolt and the bushing on the back of the track bar. this was bolted to the front face instead of between the mounts where it belongs. dealer will not cover this at all. go back to who ever installed the track bar and make them pay a proper off road shop to replace the track bar mount

 

[cv2065]

A little early for taking the old lady out, but yeah, I’m glad she wasn’t hurt. She drives slow so was able to recover. Both sides of the bracket tore out which is the puzzling part. I read that there were some recall issues with this mount in 2018/19. Not sure if there is any relation but can’t explain it really. I’ve got an appointment to have the original mount welded up and then I’ll use the synergy bracket as a replacement.

 

[John VonJeep]

A little early for taking the old lady out, but yeah, I’m glad she wasn’t hurt. She drives slow so was able to recover. Both sides of the bracket tore out which is the puzzling part. I read that there were some recall issues with this mount in 2018/19. Not sure if there is any relation but can’t explain it really. I’ve got an appointment to have the original mount welded up and then I’ll use the synergy bracket as a replacement.

Please post pics of both sides.

 

[BDinTX]

A little early for taking the old lady out, but yeah, I’m glad she wasn’t hurt. She drives slow so was able to recover. Both sides of the bracket tore out which is the puzzling part. I read that there were some recall issues with this mount in 2018/19. Not sure if there is any relation but can’t explain it really. I’ve got an appointment to have the original mount welded up and then I’ll use the synergy bracket as a replacement.

ahh if both sides tore out then I’d go back to my first post. May have been under torqued. Either way, don’t think any dealer will help with an aftermarket trackbar.

 

[cv2065]

I’ll grab one later tonight and post

 

[Chance_P]

Get a reputable shop to weld on some plate and install a brace, then use the brace as a guide to redrill the trackbar holes in the new plate.

The metalcloak brace is good. I wouldn't go with the steer smarts or synergy sector/TB braces. They take an already stressed area (trackbar mount) and add more stress from the sector shaft brace.

 

[Kingkat900]

I installed this one from artec and will never worry about it again. Cheap insurance

 

[Will]

I read that there were some recall issues with this mount in 2018/19. Not sure if there is any relation but can’t explain it really.

The recall for the track bar frame mount was fairly limited, and it was pertaining to the welds where the bracket meets the frame. There was a run of JLs where the robotic welding either barely caught the bracket or completely missed it.
This is the first time I’ve seen someone sheer off the tabs/tab on one.

 

[andy29847]

This is the internet. You gets lots of advice and it is often worth exactly what you pay for it.

The right way to fix the trackbar mount would be to cut it off and weld on a new one. The way the bar ripped out of the existing mount would most likely indicate a piss poor piece of metal was used to make the mount.

I would at least talk to the dealer about the repair under warranty. If warranty repair is not available, then a good 4wd fab shop would be my next choice.

I like the Metal Cloak re-enforcing bracket. I have a similar Metal Cloak bracket on the rear trackbar of my Gladiator.

Artec makes a weld on bracket for the JL. It might work for you.
Artec JL/JT Front Frame Trackbar Bracket for 1 ton Swap– Artec Industries

 

[Renegade]

Thanks for the replies. I installed the lift and front track bar. I’m certain that I installed it between the bracket and not on the front side and torqued to spec. I’m not sure it would have installed on the front side as it was a pretty rigid fit to begin with, even with the adjustment.

I agree with leaving the dealer out. Does the factory mount need to be repaired prior to installing a reinforced mount from metal cloak or synergy? Looks like these are bolt on.

Just say “Oops”, and we can move on.

 

[failsafe306]

That track-bar looks like it was installed in single shear on the outside face of the mount instead of between the two surfaces in double shear.
The outside face appears to have a witness mark that corresponds with the diameter of the bushing instead of just the bolt head and there’s no remnants of the broken mount between the bolt head and bushing.

Bingo

 

[cv2065]

Yep, you all have good eyes. I got back last night to look at it and it was a huge oops. I must have been drinking that night as I don't even know how it was possible to secure it like that. Live and learn. I'll take a look at the Metal Cloak option. Is it necessary to weld back the old or can the bracket just be installed over the top?

 

[BDinTX]

Keep us posted on how you do the repair.

 

[Remorseless]

Yep, you all have good eyes. I got back last night to look at it and it was a huge oops. I must have been drinking that night as I don't even know how it was possible to secure it like that. Live and learn. I'll take a look at the Metal Cloak option. Is it necessary to weld back the old or can the bracket just be installed over the top?

You'll want to have it either repaired by welding the tore off bit back in (sketchiness is found here) or just cut off and a new one welded on (least sketchy option). You need something the proper width for bushing support. The additional reinforcement bracket would be too wide by the width of the missing chunk of factory bracket if you were to run with only the reinforcement bracket and no repair. The reinforcement bracket's job is only to remove stress from the stock bracket, not replace it or support the trackbar bushing.

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