Steering Stabilizer and Yeti XD Relo Bracket

[Notams]

So I just finished changing out my, draglink, and tie rod with Yeti components (trackbar replaced earlier). Part of the process was to install a relo bracket on the trackbar mount area and a damper bracket on the tie rod. Everything went went well up until the last component. The stabilizer install. When I placed the stabilizer end into the relo bracket (wheels turned fully to the right) the opposite end sits pretty high above the tie rod. I don't have the measurement right now (quit last night and figured I would look it up today), but I would say it was about a 3 or 4 inch gap.

The quick question is: Is it normal and ok to pull the stabilizer end down to meet the bracket on the tie rod? This doesn't seem right to me, but I can't see any way around it and I'm pretty sure I have followed all instructions to the letter.

Of course, I decided to do this on a Friday so Steer Smarts is closed, and I can't ask them directly. In the instruction sheet, it appears as though they are bending the stabilizer down to meet the bracket. In hindsight, I think it would be beneficial to create a slotted secondary bolt hole so that the entire bracket can be rotated a bit and angle the direction of the stabilizer. I've seen other relo brackets that have that feature (for JK's though). But the instructions, and videos I've watched, state to align the bracket level with the trackbar mount. Here is a excerpt pic from the instructions. It sure looks like they are bending the stabilizer down to meet the bracket.

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[hoag4147]

So I just finished changing out my, draglink, and tie rod with Yeti components (trackbar replaced earlier). Part of the process was to install a relo bracket on the trackbar mount area and a damper bracket on the tie rod. Everything went went well up until the last component. The stabilizer install. When I placed the stabilizer end into the relo bracket (wheels turned fully to the right) the opposite end sits pretty high above the tie rod. I don't have the measurement right now (quit last night and figured I would look it up today), but I would say it was about a 3 or 4 inch gap.

The quick question is: Is it normal and ok to pull the stabilizer end down to meet the bracket on the tie rod? This doesn't seem right to me, but I can't see any way around it and I'm pretty sure I have followed all instructions to the letter.

Of course, I decided to do this on a Friday so Steer Smarts is closed, and I can't ask them directly. In the instruction sheet, it appears as though they are bending the stabilizer down to meet the bracket. In hindsight, I think it would be beneficial to create a slotted secondary bolt hole so that the entire bracket can be rotated a bit and angle the direction of the stabilizer. I've seen other relo brackets that have that feature (for JK's though). But the instructions, and videos I've watched, state to align the bracket level with the trackbar mount. Here is a excerpt pic from the instructions. It sure looks like they are bending the stabilizer down to meet the bracket.

Did you flip the draglink or leave in OEM location?

 

[Notams]

I left in OEM. Not sure how flipping draglink would change the position for the steering stabilizer. It is just utilizing the fixed trackbar mount. No way to change that as far as I can tell. But I'm no expert. Pretty much followed this video (along with included instructions):
(62) Jeep JL Steering Upgrades - Steer Smarts - YouTube

At 24:50 in you can see when he attaches stabilizer. His rests right on top of tie rod. Mine has a gap and you need to pull down to the tie rod.

 

[hoag4147]

I left in OEM. Not sure how flipping draglink would change the position for the steering stabilizer. It is just utilizing the fixed trackbar mount. No way to change that as far as I can tell. But I'm no expert. Pretty much followed this video (along with included instructions):
(62) Jeep JL Steering Upgrades - Steer Smarts - YouTube

At 24:50 in you can see when he attaches stabilizer. His rests right on top of tie rod. Mine has a gap and you need to pull down to the tie rod.

Reason I was asking is the pic you showed above appears to have high steer bracket installed. I would think normal relo bracket should line up.

 

[hoag4147]

How about couple pics of yours installed

 

[Notams]

Thanks Hoag. No issues with anything else, just the stabilizer. I've read and re-read the instructions, watched the video over and over, and it just looks like I did everything correctly. I'll be going out to the garage to start troubleshooting here in a few. The guy from BleepinJeep made an outstanding video and I used all of the same parts. Probably something stupid staring me right in the face. I'll take a fresh look at it here in a few.

 

[Notams]

Sure thing on the pics. I'll take some as soon as I get the chance.

 

[hoag4147]

Thanks Hoag. No issues with anything else, just the stabilizer. I've read and re-read the instructions, watched the video over and over, and it just looks like I did everything correctly. I'll be going out to the garage to start troubleshooting here in a few. The guy from BleepinJeep made an outstanding video and I used all of the same parts. Probably something stupid staring me right in the face. I'll take a fresh look at it here in a few.

His bracket definitely looks a little pitched down but hey, video is hard to tell. Don’t think a little stress on SS bushing will be an issue. Good luck man. Maybe someone who actually did this weighs in lol. I was just spit balling

I relocated my SS but used the Synergy relo TB bolt and Tie Rod clamp.

 

[Notams]

I like your setup. When I watched him actually set up the bracket, he had leveled it. I noticed when he punched the drill point the bracket jumped a bit. Maybe that was enough. I don't know. Heading out to the garage now to see what I can see.

 

[hoag4147]

I like your setup. When I watched him actually set up the bracket, he had leveled it. I noticed when he punched the drill point the bracket jumped a bit. Maybe that was enough. I don't know. Heading out to the garage now to see what I can see.

Good luck man.

 

[Notams]

Ok. So looking at it I think I am going to have to change the angle. Everything is correct, but the the angle needs to change a bit and I think it will be better. Less stress all the around. They should really address this in the installation instructions. I levelled it just like they said. But I think when the BleepinJeep guy did it, it shifted. You can kind of make it out in the video.

Anyway, my solution will be to create a slotted hole so that the angle can be adjusted. Not sure yet how I will do it since most of my tools are packed away in a storage unit. My plasma cutter would have made short work of it. But for anyone else experiencing this problem, I will post my results. I don't think slotting the bracket will have any effect on integrity. As I mentioned, the JK brackets I saw had a slotted hole. Hoags setup is a much better design, but I'm working with what I've got.

 

[Some Random Guy]

Do you have enough thread on the tie-rod bracket to put in some spacers and alleviate the angle?

 

[Notams]

Random Guy. Thanks for that. With the full weight the gap is only about 3 washers. I still have enough thread. Four washers would have been better but there wouldn't be enough thread and I don't want to try and find another bolt. Thanks for the suggestion. I guess I was over thinking it.

 

[Notams]

Three to four washers to the top of the mounting bracket. Should've clarified that.

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