kill_burst Posted March 27, 2018 Share Posted March 27, 2018 I am running a Rubicon Express 3.5 inch lift. I have been having issues with the stock track bar bracket working itself loose over time. Is it ok to weld portions of the track bar to the frame or has anyone had success with other options. Thanks in advance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DirtyComanche Posted March 27, 2018 Share Posted March 27, 2018 You could, but I wouldn't. If it's coming loose either the bolts weren't tight enough, are compromised, or the metal of the bracket or frame is moving around too much. I'd take it off and make sure nothing is cracked, put new 10.9 metric bolts in, and torque it up proper. If it still came loose I'd go to a heavier duty aftermarket version. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eagle Posted March 27, 2018 Share Posted March 27, 2018 Doesn't someone offer a reinforcement plate for the "frame rail" where the track bar bracket mounts? I would look for that, and use Loctite on the bolts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kill_burst Posted March 27, 2018 Author Share Posted March 27, 2018 Will do. wasn't to excited about the idea of welding it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
desertmike Posted March 28, 2018 Share Posted March 28, 2018 Had a similar problem. Ended up using CASTLE nuts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eagle Posted March 28, 2018 Share Posted March 28, 2018 15 minutes ago, desertmike said: Had a similar problem. Ended up using CASTLE nuts. Great idea. I was thinking about Nylocks -- castle nuts never occurred to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kill_burst Posted March 28, 2018 Author Share Posted March 28, 2018 I like it. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOrnbrod Posted March 29, 2018 Share Posted March 29, 2018 On 3/27/2018 at 8:02 PM, desertmike said: Had a similar problem. Ended up using CASTLE nuts. So after you torque the castle nut down you drill a hole through the bolt and lock the nut with a cotter pin? Otherwise it's like any another nut. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeep Driver Posted March 29, 2018 Share Posted March 29, 2018 If you're relying on the castle nut............you've lost your clamping force of the bolt. I've never had a problem like this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DirtyComanche Posted March 29, 2018 Share Posted March 29, 2018 9 minutes ago, Jeep Driver said: If you're relying on the castle nut............you've lost your clamping force of the bolt. Yar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
desertmike Posted March 29, 2018 Share Posted March 29, 2018 Sorry, I misspoke. Its not a castle nut but a nut that is not quit round. If you look at the treads they are kind of oval. When you tighten them they clamp onto the bolt treads. They use them to keep axle shafts from coming loose ( backing plates come to mind). I can't think of the name right now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DirtyComanche Posted March 29, 2018 Share Posted March 29, 2018 3 minutes ago, desertmike said: Sorry, I misspoke. Its not a castle nut but a nut that is not quit round. If you look at the treads they are kind of oval. When you tighten them they clamp onto the bolt treads. They use them to keep axle shafts from coming loose ( backing plates come to mind). I can't think of the name right now. Stover. They're kinda the better self locking nut. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
desertmike Posted March 29, 2018 Share Posted March 29, 2018 Its called a tension lock nut. Example at Home Depot. https://www.homedepot.com/p/Crown-Bolt-M12-1-75-Zinc-Plated-Tension-Lock-Nut-57328/202209783 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOrnbrod Posted March 29, 2018 Share Posted March 29, 2018 Distorted thread locknut. I use these a lot, especially on suspension stuff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DirtyComanche Posted March 29, 2018 Share Posted March 29, 2018 And they're called stovers by most people... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOrnbrod Posted March 29, 2018 Share Posted March 29, 2018 Probably true Dirty. In the USN on submarines, probably the RCN too, they are used everywhere to secure equipment to bulkheads because of the vibes, and they work well. I grew to hate them, but with respect. They were always called distorted thread nuts, thus I've always called them that. Who, WTF was Stover? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeep Driver Posted March 30, 2018 Share Posted March 30, 2018 If anyone is interested- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DesertRat1991 Posted March 30, 2018 Share Posted March 30, 2018 Well crap, fellas... I learned something today. Distorted thread nuts -- never heard of such a thing. I bought all new hardware when I did my lift. I thought the nuts they sent me were out of spec so I didn't use them! Didn't look right at all. lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
desertmike Posted March 30, 2018 Share Posted March 30, 2018 Thanks "jeep driver" that was interesting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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