Trackbar Product Selection Advice and Voting.

[Jeeperz Kreeperz]

Track bar and then stabilizer. The steering stabilizer alone will only mask the problem. I have the yeti with the falcon adjustable on a. 3.5 RK lift and like it a lot. I went with the Yeti because you can adjust without disconnecting an end.

Thanks. That was my gut feeling, and it seems upgrading the track bar has made noticeable improvements for a lot of folks.

I’m thinking I’ll do Yeti Track Bar for $260, then test it out. If the improvement is sufficient, I’m done. If I still want more improvement/adjustment, it seems I could add a Fox 2.0 Adjustable Steering Stabilizer for $160 = $420 total.

Right in my budget of $300 to $500. Thanks all!

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[quietpeen]

Synergy’s TB wasn’t out when I replaced my stock TB. I like the pinch bolt method and found Yeti worked. If I was doing my mod’s now I’d get Synergy’s TB to go along with the other Synergy parts I have, LCA’s, tie rod and drag link. Synergy makes a good product IMO.

I have Synergy track bar, drag link, tie rod, and front lower control arms. I like being able to adjust everything without having to take an end off the Jeep. Especially the front lca’s. That 190 ft lbs is not fun lol

 

[roaniecowpony]

Thanks. That was my gut feeling, and it seems upgrading the track bar has made noticeable improvements for a lot of folks.

I’m thinking I’ll do Yeti Track Bar for $260, then test it out. If the improvement is sufficient, I’m done. If I still want more improvement/adjustment, it seems I could add a Fox 2.0 Adjustable Steering Stabilizer for $160 = $420 total.

Right in my budget of $300 to $500. Thanks all!

My thought is that the trackbar is definitely worth it over the stocker, whether you choose Yeti, Synergy, or Teraflex. The next most influential part in steering improvement may be the Synergy trackbar/sector brace. I haven't verified my sector shaft yet, but if there is any lateral play in the shaft, the Synergy brace should improve the steering precision.

 

[sourdough]

My thought is that the trackbar is definitely worth it over the stocker, whether you choose Yeti, Synergy, or Teraflex. The next most influential part in steering improvement may be the Synergy trackbar/sector brace. I haven't verified my sector shaft yet, but if there is any lateral play in the shaft, the Synergy brace should improve the steering precision.

I have and installed the Synergy TB/Sector Shaft brace. It beefs up the TB mount and steering box. The brace holds the Steering Box to the frame and adds support to the aluminum Sector Shaft nose. It does nothing towards improving any S.B. internal issues. If you have steering shaft lateral play, the brace won't help. It will help mount flex and strengthen the aluminum nose on the box from added stress turning big heavy tires like the 37" I'm running on my JLR rock crawling.

 

[NPE102414]

Total noob here when it comes to steering components. What would you guys/gals recommend for components to address the loose/wandering steering issue?

2018 JLU Sahara w/Rubicon OEM wheels w/33” BFG K02 tires. No suspension mods - other than Airlift airbags in the rear, that I air up when we load up for camping with roof top tent, etc. No plans for wheeling. Mainly mall crawler duty with occasional dirt roads/camping/commuting in NH snow storms, etc.

I’ve adjusted tire pressure, been to dealer, and they’ve re-torqued everything, applied firmware updates, and swapped steering stabilizer w/OEM. Firmware update brought the steering performance from a 3 to a 6 on a scale of 1 to 10. Re-torqueing, and placement of steering stabilizer made no noticeable difference. But when I test drove another 2018 Wrangler before buying mine, the steering was a solid 9, so I know I’m not just dealing with it being a “Jeep thing”.

Start with just a track bar? Which one for zero off-roading? Budget is a factor, but not the primary one...meaning, I’d spend $300 to $500 if I knew it would get my steering to an 8 or 9. But not interested in dropping $1,500 on steering upgrades for something that the manufacturer should have done.

Thanks!

First thing I always tell people is to check their tire pressure and go from there. Wandering is and can be very subjective on a Jeep. It can have a lot to do with never driving a jeep before as well.

 

[Jeeperz Kreeperz]

First thing I always tell people is to check their tire pressure and go from there. Wandering is and can be very subjective on a Jeep. It can have a lot to do with never driving a jeep before as well.

Agreed. Thought someone might mention tire pressure - that’s why I said I had already adjusted the pressure. Dropped it from 46 to 32 and everywhere in between (made a modest improvement).

Although this is the first Wrangler that I’ve owned, I’ve driven a couple JKs before, and not experienced this kind of wandering steering. In addition, as mentioned, I drove another brand new 2018 JLU Sahara just prior to picking up mine, and the first one had zero wandering in the steering, and only a very small amount of play in the steering wheel, whereas my JLUS had a large amount of play/looseness/wandering.

You are 100% correct that there is subjectivity in an issue like steering feel, and there are those who are naively expecting their Jeep to ride/steer like a typical SUV. However, given the relatively objective back-to-back comparison I experienced of two nearly identical, brand new, same model year Wranglers, I am 100% certain this is a production inconsistency, and in no way is this a “Jeep thing”, or as a result of me improperly expecting the Jeep to handle like a Porsche.

Now I’m just trying to get my steering back to match the performance of that first 2018 JLUS I test drove!

 

[NPE102414]

Agreed. Thought someone might mention tire pressure - that’s why I said I had already adjusted the pressure. Dropped it from 46 to 32 and everywhere in between (made a modest improvement).

Although this is the first Wrangler that I’ve owned, I’ve driven a couple JKs before, and not experienced this kind of wandering steering. In addition, as mentioned, I drove another brand new 2018 JLU Sahara just prior to picking up mine, and the first one had zero wandering in the steering, and only a very small amount of play in the steering wheel, whereas my JLUS had a large amount of play/looseness/wandering.

You are 100% correct that there is subjectivity in an issue like steering feel, and there are those who are naively expecting their Jeep to ride/steer like a typical SUV. However, given the relatively objective back-to-back comparison I experienced of two nearly identical, brand new, same model year Wranglers, I am 100% certain this is a production inconsistency, and in no way is this a “Jeep thing”, or as a result of me improperly expecting the Jeep to handle like a Porsche.

Now I’m just trying to get my steering back to match the performance of that first 2018 JLUS I test drove!

You may never be able to match that one, I would stay off here and find a jeepnspecialist in your area.

 

[word302]

I have Synergy track bar, drag link, tie rod, and front lower control arms. I like being able to adjust everything without having to take an end off the Jeep. Especially the front lca’s. That 190 ft lbs is not fun lol

The reality is that once you have them set you shouldn’t have to make any adjustments. You should re-torque everything every so often though, especially if you wheel. There's no getting around that 190 ft lbs.

 

[NPE102414]

The reality is that once you have them set you shouldn’t have to make any adjustments. You should re-torque everything every so often though, especially if you wheel. There's no getting around that 190 ft lbs.

Well said

 

[quietpeen]

The reality is that once you have them set you shouldn’t have to make any adjustments. You should re-torque everything every so often though, especially if you wheel. There's no getting around that 190 ft lbs.

True but getting them set isn’t always a one and done situation. And you are right I will be checking torque regularly since I do wheel my jeep.

 

[NPE102414]

True but getting them set isn’t always a one and done situation. And you are right I will be checking torque regularly since I do wheel my jeep.

 

[Halstem1]

I have Synergy track bar, drag link, tie rod, and front lower control arms. I like being able to adjust everything without having to take an end off the Jeep. Especially the front lca’s. That 190 ft lbs is not fun lol

Couple questions for you. Did you do all of these at once or over time? I just did my tie rod and drag link. Had to have a professional alignment done because my toe was off (which by the way can cause death wobble. Which was a first for me and pretty scary if i'm honest). I was talking to another forum member and sent him my alignment measurements. He mentioned adding caster with lower control arms. I'm curious if it made a difference for you? If you did it all at once, you likely wouldn't be able to tell. And what gets torqued to 190#? Is that the pinch bolt torque spec?

 

[quietpeen]

Couple questions for you. Did you do all of these at once or over time? I just did my tie rod and drag link. Had to have a professional alignment done because my toe was off (which by the way can cause death wobble. Which was a first for me and pretty scary if i'm honest). I was talking to another forum member and sent him my alignment measurements. He mentioned adding caster with lower control arms. I'm curious if it made a difference for you? If you did it all at once, you likely wouldn't be able to tell. And what gets torqued to 190#? Is that the pinch bolt torque spec?

No I didn't do it all at once. I installed the Synergy Front Lower adjustable control arms when I installed my spacer lift. The bolts that hold them to the jeep are the ones that get torqued to 190 ft. lbs (the pinch bolt gets torqued to 90 ft. lbs.) I also Installed a new track bar at the time of lift to recenter the axle. I had that setup with 35's for a while and all was good. I then got new wheels and 37's and all seemed good till one day I hit the right hole and got death wobble. From there I replaced the drag link and it did not fix it. I got the tires road force balanced and that seemed to help. Right after that I replaced the tie-rod and steering stabilizer and so far have not had death wobble.

as for adding caster........yes you should do whether its upper or lower adjustable control arm. Even if you are not lifted since you have a rubicon and its at around 4.7 from the factory

 

[eck]

Couple questions for you. Did you do all of these at once or over time? I just did my tie rod and drag link. Had to have a professional alignment done because my toe was off (which by the way can cause death wobble. Which was a first for me and pretty scary if i'm honest). I was talking to another forum member and sent him my alignment measurements. He mentioned adding caster with lower control arms. I'm curious if it made a difference for you? If you did it all at once, you likely wouldn't be able to tell. And what gets torqued to 190#? Is that the pinch bolt torque spec?

190 lbft is for both the frame and axle end of the front lower control arms.

 

[Halstem1]

190 lbft is for both the frame and axle end of the front lower control arms.

duh. I wasn't thinking. That makes sense. Thanks.

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