Front Track Bar Play at Axle

[my_jeep_sucks]

After running Slickrock Trail I had a nasty dead spot and front end float on the drive home. I diagnosed and found the front trackbar axle mount had a lot of slop. I retorqued everything but now I get a loud clicking noise as the track bar abruptly slips on bumps while turning. It looks like the hole has ovalized. I'm wondering if anyone has any solutions for this, like a reinforcement plate or something like that. I was also considering welding a bead around the hole and then redrilling it. Any ideas would be appreciated.

In terms of suspension set up I am running a MC 3.5 lift and adjustable control arms.

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[Remorseless]

I'd either have a new bracket welded on or have some washers welded in front/rear. Any bolt on bracket is going to still use the stock hole for alignment and will have the same issue.

 

[Maverick909]

ouch, that's a lot of play. i wouldn't be apposed to welding and filling it in then grinding it flush and drilling a fresh hole. but if you are going to go through that much trouble it might be just as easy to make a new bracket of iss if barns 4x4 has one

 

[my_jeep_sucks]

ouch, that's a lot of play. i wouldn't be apposed to welding and filling it in then grinding it flush and drilling a fresh hole. but if you are going to go through that much trouble it might be just as easy to make a new bracket of iss if barns 4x4 has one

Thanks for the suggestion. Barns does have a HD option. I think that's the way I'll go.

 

[Roky]

After running Slickrock Trail I had a nasty dead spot and front end float on the drive home. I diagnosed and found the front trackbar axle mount had a lot of slop. I retorqued everything but now I get a loud clicking noise as the track bar abruptly slips on bumps while turning. It looks like the hole has ovalized. I'm wondering if anyone has any solutions for this, like a reinforcement plate or something like that. I was also considering welding a bead around the hole and then redrilling it. Any ideas would be appreciated.

In terms of suspension set up I am running a MC 3.5 lift and adjustable control arms.

I fixed this a couple times with the Clayton SS bracket, it has a couple secondary bolt holes to secure it in place… this isn’t as good as welding washers of course but will get you buy for a while maybe permanently depending on your use…..personally I’d use the welded washer fix…..

https://www.claytonoffroad.com/prod...bilizer-relocation-bracket-2007-2020-jk-jl-jt

 

[Maverick909]

Thanks for the suggestion. Barns does have a HD option. I think that's the way I'll go.

use discount code MORR at check out for barns

plus you cant be the 22 bucks for a total new bracket

 

[my_jeep_sucks]

I fixed this a couple times with the Clayton SS bracket, it has a couple secondary bolt holes to secure it in place… this isn’t as good as welding washers of course but will get you buy for a while maybe permanently depending on your use…..personally I’d use the welded washer fix…..

https://www.claytonoffroad.com/prod...bilizer-relocation-bracket-2007-2020-jk-jl-jt

I think I have to go the weld route, as both the front and rear hole have play. But thanks for the suggestion!

 

[Roky]

I think I have to go the weld route, as both the front and rear hole have play. But thanks for the suggestion!

Copy that, I wasn’t aware of the Barnes 4x4 replacement, glad I stopped in, lol…

 

[my_jeep_sucks]

use discount code MORR at check out for barns

plus you cant be the 22 bucks for a total new bracket

Ugh, I hate when shipping is the same price as the thing you're buying! Thanks for the code.

 

[GATORB8]

I think I have to go the weld route, as both the front and rear hole have play. But thanks for the suggestion!

Just a note, the Clayton uses a 9/16" track bar bolt and flag nut which doesn't clear the MC track bar bushing (at least mine). MC's relocation uses an M14 which does work (and matches stock).

 

[GATORB8]

Barnes bracket looks like the ticket, I may have to do that too.

Cutting the rear weld under the spring bucket looks like a bitch though:

EDIT: @my_jeep_sucks would be interested in your feedback once you get it installed.

 

[my_jeep_sucks]

Barnes bracket looks like the ticket, I may have to do that too.

Cutting the rear weld under the spring bucket looks like a bitch though:

EDIT: @my_jeep_sucks would be interested in your feedback once you get it installed.

I think cutting off the bracket in pieces will allow you to remove enough material to get better access to that part under the spring bucket. At least that's what I'm hoping . I just did a terrible job clearancing my skid plate to install the MC DB3 control arm drop brackets I've had sitting around for years. And that was with pretty good access. So, this should be interesting...

 

[my_jeep_sucks]

@my_jeep_sucks would be interested in your feedback once you get it installed.

Well, I don’t have anything strong enough to bend this into the correct position. It’s a real shame, because this would have been just perfect.

Going with a washer fix on either side of the bracket for now. I'll see if Barnes will ship me a new bracket without me having to send the old one back, so I have it in my back pocket down the road.

 

[GATORB8]

Well, I don’t have anything strong enough to bend this into the correct position. It’s a real shame, because this would have been just perfect.

Going with a washer fix on either side of the bracket for now. I'll see if Barnes will ship me a new bracket without me having to send the old one back, so I have it in my back pocket down the road.

Damn. Take some shots when you do the washers if you don't mind.

 

[azjl#3]

try next size up bolt, standard or metric to try for fit.

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