E4Marty Posted May 11, 2012 Share Posted May 11, 2012 Aside from the fact that I have nearly 1/8th of turn of the wheel before I get response from the tires. I noticed that when I turn the wheel, before the tires turn, the truck itself shifts the opposite direction. Clearly some steering component, what is typically replaced/worn out soonest? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeepman Posted May 11, 2012 Share Posted May 11, 2012 Sounds like your track bar is Done... The Track Bar is what keeps your Axle centered under the Jeep... Get that fixed ASAP or you could be in real trouble.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
E4Marty Posted May 11, 2012 Author Share Posted May 11, 2012 Track bar? Now there's a part I've somehow never heard of. Or is that same thing as a sway/stabilizer bar? What is the hydraulic piston thing for? I've never seen something like that on a vehicle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeep Driver Posted May 12, 2012 Share Posted May 12, 2012 No Marty it's not the sway bar. Poke around a bit more and you'll figure it out, somewhere here is a schematic of the suspension and steering. Like the other guy said, fix it soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mpace6a Posted May 12, 2012 Share Posted May 12, 2012 :thumbsup: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
E4Marty Posted May 12, 2012 Author Share Posted May 12, 2012 Is this just a matter of bushings or must the whole bar be replaced? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeep Driver Posted May 12, 2012 Share Posted May 12, 2012 The whole bar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
E4Marty Posted May 12, 2012 Author Share Posted May 12, 2012 Would a used one off a Cherokee suffice? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geonovast Posted May 12, 2012 Share Posted May 12, 2012 Should. It would probably be in better condition than yours, but you should replace it with a new one down the road. You might also want to look into adjustables that can be set at the stock length... that way, you'd have a replaceable TRE, and you wouldn't have to replace the whole bar if it wears out. When you pull yours off, also carefully inspect the mounting flange on the axle itself. The hole may have begun to elongate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
E4Marty Posted May 12, 2012 Author Share Posted May 12, 2012 What makes this bar so important? I've yet to have a vehicle with a track bar until this jeep Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geonovast Posted May 12, 2012 Share Posted May 12, 2012 It's to prevent the axle from flying out the side when you turn. Independent suspension and most vehicles with front leaf springs do not use them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
E4Marty Posted May 12, 2012 Author Share Posted May 12, 2012 Alrighty then, I'll get on fixing that track bar. I noted too that much of the free play in the wheel, doesn't move the steering components at all. I tried tightening the steering gear box some but it bottomed out with no change so I backed it off some. Would a new gear box solve this? The mechanic says the steering components aren't worn out much at all. Also I should note that my left tire rubs when turned completely left Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eagle Posted May 12, 2012 Share Posted May 12, 2012 Would a used one off a Cherokee suffice? I would never install a used track bar. It's just not worth it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geonovast Posted May 12, 2012 Share Posted May 12, 2012 Alrighty then, I'll get on fixing that track bar. I noted too that much of the free play in the wheel, doesn't move the steering components at all. I tried tightening the steering gear box some but it bottomed out with no change so I backed it off some. Would a new gear box solve this? The mechanic says the steering components aren't worn out much at all. Also I should note that my left tire rubs when turned completely left Sounds like that's all being caused by the track bar. Leave the steering alone until you get a good track bar in there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeep Driver Posted May 12, 2012 Share Posted May 12, 2012 Dude you can get a cheap one for like $40 or a Moog for about $70-80 IIRC. This is not even worth the conversation........just do it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeep Driver Posted May 12, 2012 Share Posted May 12, 2012 http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/webapp ... ASAMS_____ Rockauto has them cheaper. Just an example.......plug in your year and model.......round $100 locally. Advanced Auto.........P20 is 20% off and over $75 is free shipping to your door. As I said round about $80 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
E4Marty Posted May 14, 2012 Author Share Posted May 14, 2012 Can this bad track bar, cause the death wobble I'm trying to learn more about? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rymanrph Posted May 15, 2012 Share Posted May 15, 2012 A bad track bar could cause all kinds of problems including death if you keep driving your truck. Its pretty obvious that this is your first priority. Fix it and then you can address any other issues you may have. Its hard to diagnose multiple issues if you haven't fixed the components your know are bad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
E4Marty Posted May 23, 2012 Author Share Posted May 23, 2012 Well, i replaced the track bar and the truck is still shifting some when i turn. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
E4Marty Posted June 26, 2012 Author Share Posted June 26, 2012 The truck's side to side play hasn't gotten any better. Even with the new track bar, there is movement between the frame mount and the actual track bar. Is there supposed to be that play in the pivot? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mvusse Posted June 26, 2012 Share Posted June 26, 2012 Not supposed to be any play. The most common track bar problem is the hole in the frame bracket being wallowed out. New track bar will not fix this. New bracket will. Problem is, I don't know if the bracket is available outside of a junk yard, and getting one from a junk yard may not be any better than what you have now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
E4Marty Posted June 27, 2012 Author Share Posted June 27, 2012 Maybe I bought a bad track bar, since the play is the track bar shifting around the joint itself. The other mount did not appear wallowed out at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mvusse Posted June 27, 2012 Share Posted June 27, 2012 I'm willing to bet the problem is the hole in the frame side bracket being wallowed out and nothing's wrong with your new track bar. Despite what it looks like to the naked eye. The pin in the tie rod end of the track bar is supposed to be able to pivot. If it slides sideways, though, causing the track bar to shift it would be about to come apart and fall off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now