Track Bar Ball Joint (Replacement?)

[kazam]

07-19-2022

 

Greetings,

 

The Track-Bar Ball-Joint snapped today; there was some death wobble to help it along.

After searching some online and at the manual, I have not found a replacement ball joint, or a procedure listed to replace that ball joint.

I have replaced ball joints at other locations, such as the steering knuckle, so I understand about what the procedure would be; press the old one out and press in a new one.

I am wondering, are the track bars usually replaced as a unit at this point?

Maybe I just missed the correct parts link.

 

Thanks.

 

 

1987 MJ, 2.5L, 2+ inches of lift (spacers), converted from 2WD to 4WD before I got it, work in progress

[Minuit]

If it's a factory bar, replaced as a unit. You'll also get the bushing at the other end as a bonus. That was probably worn out anyway.

[zomeizter]

Kazam, go ahead and replace/upgrade all the steering components in one shot, this is labor intensive but the handling improvement is grand...

[kazam]

08-28-2022

 

Greetings,

 

I have more to replace, such as U-joints and shims.

 

I have some of the parts already;  Dana / Spicer .

 

I have not had the time recently.

 

I did install a Rough Country Track Bar Kit:

 

    

Jeep Front Forged Adjustable Track Bar (XJ, ZJ, MJ w/ 0-3.5in) SKU: 1181

1

$149.95

 

 

   That was priced and paid for at about $162, after taxes and shipping.

 

That is something else.

 

The Comanche Jeep Tracks on the Road So much Better.

 

I can find a way to get Death Wobble.

 

I have more to improve.

 

The Bracket and parts have to be installed tight; and not to snap off the hardware.

 

I had some long levers with some countours to get access with the correct torque.

 

Installed on a clean frame, that track bar kit fit the MJ I look after  Great.

 

I had been about 2"+ from stock, not including tires.

I set the Jeep at about wheels straight-on, as it rolled.

That was after I found out about what a track bar does, on road.

 

I was Super nervous, about the on road , off road, the handling of the Jeep, after I installed the kit.

 

i went over road surfaces that would previously always set-off the Death Wobble          ,and the MJ was smooth and better over those surfaces without a problem.

 

The kit is not a miracle cure.

 

I had checked my track bar and did not think it was bad.

 

I am sure this is an uprade that I think is great.

 

It is a stronger tie-together-part-assembly.

 

I will be looking into bushings interchangability.

 

And, for the Price that I paid, I would say that if you have to time and ability to install that kit correctly then that is a great upgrade, if the specifics of the ride height and other factors match.

 

I am yet investigating wether or not this kit would actualy work better on a stock height XJ, without shaving parts.

 

Bolt in:  I think it is sometimes.

 

I love this set.

 

Thanks.

 

 

[kazam]

"Whether" or not this kit works well on a Stock height MJ or XJ is something that I am investigating.

 

 

And:

  I purchased the Kit through the Rough Country Website; not through eBay or Amazon.

 

   The part arrived before I expected it to and right on time to help.

 

       Peaceful  Time.

 

 

[kazam]

"Whether" or not this kit works well on a Stock height MJ or XJ is something that I am investigating".

 

I had read on forum posting (s) that the Bracket Hits, on stock hieght XJ & MJ Jeeps, sometimes.

 

I would not want to get the kit then have to take an angle grinder to it.

 

The quality I found with the kit is Quality.

 

There is some room for improvement.

 

Such as the bolt that I found to go with the axle-side bushing was 'a bit' undersized.

The parts worked for a better than stock repair, with my situation.

 

I have to re-check parts, I weld.

 

I did add the WJ lower control-arms several years ago.

 

I added reinforcement in the way of the upper control arms "boxed" with 1" Outside Diameter steel tubing welded into the channels.

 

I really am sure that I would recommend the Rough Country Kit.

 

I am not sure how it would work on stock height MJ or XJ

 

I have not tested that yet.

 

 

Peaceful Time

[kazam]

I do not have my dictionary in front of me now.

I will improve on my spelling as able to,   with the time available

 

I am sure that a Mechanic must communicate correctly.

For some regions, so I have found, spelling is not required.

I am sure that correct spelling helps sometimes.

 

 

 

[ghetdjc320]

15 hours ago, kazam said:

I can find a way to get Death Wobble.

That track bar kit relocates the frame side track bar mounting point. Having it out of alignment with the drag link will cause your bump steer which quickly leads to “death wobble”. You also mentioned the bolt was undersized, if it is, that is a serious problem. Or it is also very likely that the axle side bracket holes are wallowed out. IMO Rough country is a corner cutting enterprise. With affordability as their underlying goal, things such as “safety” and “engineering”  take a back seat.