Track Bar Issues

JeepinMaxx

Active member
I just replaced my loose stock track bar and lift relocation bracket with a JKS telescoping unit.  Would that screw up the allignment?
It handles very different.  Barely move the wheel and it turns.  Kind of darty.  Maybe I was so used to the slop in the steering that now it feels tight?  BTW - still has the stock pitman arm.  I appreciate any input.  Thanks

Frank
 
pyagid said:
in a YJ?  Get rid of the track bars, they are un needed. 

Oops- I left that important information out  :redface:
It's a 1990 YJ

The only reason I'm keeping the front trackbar is I sometime drive it to and from the trail disconnected. 

 
Detour said:
The only reason I'm keeping the front trackbar is I sometime drive it to and from the trail disconnected.

You got your lingo' right? :thinking:

I drive it (the YJ) to and back from the trail with the sway bar disconnected.  My understanding is doing that without a front trackbar makes the ride a little scary
 
Yes, tweeking the track bar will mess up your steering a bit.

Is your steering wheel centered? You will problably need to do a drive way allingment.

I've found this page to be a big help.
http://www.4x4xplor.com/alignment.html

Going thru the same thing myself. I recentered the axle this morning. Tweeked the control arms and now my steering wheel is off center agian.

The tierod is still hitting the swaybar mount...even after shifting everything.

T.
 
imo, you're much better off just completely forgetting about the track bar, and just connect your sway bar
 
You have leafsprings....use the track bar as a hood prop rod. :grinyes:
 
Being you got the JKS unit, it will be different all the time.  All depends on when you lock it down.

Be sure that it is super tight.  Some time it will slip a little and make it feel strange.  I does it's job, but never as well as the fixed factory one.  Think of it this way, when you have it loose, the axles say moves to the right, and you get off the trail and lock it down, it is never in the same spot.  Even though Leaf spring vehicles don't allow for much side to side movement, there still is plenty.  I have the same bar in mine, and the only reason I got it at first was because I used to tow that trailer to the wheeling trips and with no track, or sway, it would give me a little tension.  However now I never use the sway, and only lock down the track when I tow, or drive out to Paragon.

Either way you look at it, your steering wheel will never be in the same spot every time.  All depends on which way the springs were when you locked it down, or if the tele slipped any.  When I first put mine years ago, I took it to a shop for an alignment,(waist) and I had it all tightened down.  They gave it back saying they could not get my steering wheel straight, every time they bounced it or took it for a spin, it would come back different...

As for the more squirly feel, I often get that when the springs move under the vehicle.  Depending on how worn your springs are, older ones will do this more.  Wrap ones will do it even less, but no matter what, when you go around a corner, the springs will move to 1 side just a bit, so that added to the turning of the wheel makes it feel darty.

I believe JKS say you have to stick with the Stock pitman, also, I found that when I ran the old school sway bar disco, round pita bar with 2 pins, that did the same as my track bar, did not allow for much side to side movement, but when I ran the Tera type, even though it was 100% better to disco, it did nothing for side to side movement, just did the 1 job of sway control.  (which is not much sway on a 4"sprung leaf spring)

For me, I just got to lazy and now run neither unless it falls into the upper issues.  You just get used to driving it and it becomes natural in a few weeks.

*No track bar = 31% more suspension travel than solid trackbar for improved off-road performance  :rotflmao:
 
Believe me guys, I tried this last year with Frank, he just does not like the slight loose feeling you get.  So the only solution was the JKS bar for him.  Keep the feel of a track bar, but not loose any of the flex.

Frank I hope my novel is understandable from above, if not call me.

Here is the JKS bar, 
p_9800.jpg
 
NomadJeep said:
Believe me guys, I tried this last year with Frank, he just does not like the slight loose feeling you get.  So the only solution was the JKS bar for him.  Keep the feel of a track bar, but not loose any of the flex.

Frank I hope my novel is understandable from above, if not call me.

Here is the JKS bar, 
p_9800.jpg

Thanks Damon - the explanation makes sense.  It actually tracks straight and just reacts quicker to steering input.  Handles more like my Magnum.  I think I was was just used to the slop of the old set-up.  We'll see how it ramps this weekend at the rally  :wink:
 
sean_cj7 said:
I'm SOA and run no sway bar or track bar and my CJ never handled any better.  Just can't corner too fast :wink:

I know the feeling!  love the look on bystanders faces when the left front tire lifts off the pavement on tight turns!
 
JeepinMaxx said:
I know the feeling!  love the look on bystanders faces when the left front tire lifts off the pavement on tight turns!

Hey the guys in the hood,  pay alot for that... :twisted:
 
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