Track bars

[jeepster93]

My track bar is shot...It rattles something bad and is as tight as it will go.
So, it time to do something....

3 choices, as I see it

1-remove and not replace it
2-replace it with the samr thing it has now
3-aftermarket stuff

I have already removed the sway bar.
I am thinking of removing it ang giving it a try, but, going to Moab next week and think "no time to experiment".

Opinions...???

Now, I am going right through Rifle Colorado to get to Moab, and see that MORE has a couple of sweet replacement bars.
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b289/cewtwo/tracbar2.jpg
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b289/cewtwo/tracbar1.jpg
What they say about it...
"The FRONT Trac Bar is a much needed item for good handling, straight tracking, and controlling bump-steer. That is one reason that the YJ Wrangler handles so much better then the CJ (cause the CJ never had one!). However, the stock Trac Bar tends to limit the suspension travel and articulation.
M.O.R.E. offers two different types of Trac Bars, to replace the factory part. Each Style offers much better control and articulation then the stock unit.

Most aftermarket lift kit manufactures supply a flimsy riser bracket to re-locate the factory Trac Bar when you buy a suspension lift kit (over 3"). This bracket tends to loosen and break with the added stress from the lift kit. The answer is to replace the factory Trac Bar with one of ours that eliminates this riser bracket and attaches directly to the axle housing.

Rod Ends (sometimes called Heim Joints) on both ends allow for added flexibility and length adjustably. Complete with all hardware and instructions. These units will work with stock suspensions or lifted, spring under or over the axle, with or with out a shackle reversal system."

[Scott E]

Throw your old one in the trash and run without one. Your leafsprings keep the axle centered. You will never miss it. If you do miss it your old one is shot anyway, then you can get something else.

I have run without my trackbars and swaybars for years. Don't miss them one bit. I drive the Jeep to and from the trails. No trailer or flat tow for me.

[LeadFoot]

Search...and realize that you'll have to try it out yourself to see how YOU like it or not. :D

[Rock WoRM]

I'm sure you've read dozens of trac vs. no-trac posts on this board. :touche: Just like the rest of us have.

Why not just run it without and see how U like it before spending $$$ on a fancy trac thingy. just my $.o2

btw... I'm guessing U stil have the sways?


:wavin2:



WoRM :bsod:

[jeepster93]

I'm sure you've read dozens of trac vs. no-trac posts on this board. :touche: Just like the rest of us have.

Why not just run it without and see how U like it before spending $$$ on a fancy trac thingy. just my $.o2

btw... I'm guessing U stil have the sways?


:wavin2:



WoRM :bsod:

Yeah...crap...I know.
I have seen this topic more than once, but now it's my jeep....
The steering already looks nothing like what I started with. I have that JCR stuff. At this point, I am not helping it handle any better.
And everyone knows I am no expert.
I might take it off for Moab, but take it with me...

NO sway bars, not for years. This does however, affect the handling on road.

[ssyj94]

id say ditch havent run one in years... if its rattling and loose it hasnt been doin anything anyways. Those MORE ones look nice but a ton of $$ the fixed one is stock length i think anyways so youd need the bs bracket. The only way i found to keep the stock bar tight was to drill the axle taper out and put in a 1/2"bolt but all that got me was sheared bolts after awhile so give it a try.... wheres that guy with the pic of them in the trash haha..

[Karma]

HI,
I'm not as casual as some about dumping suspension components especially if the Jeep is used on the highway. It's easy to say the track bars don't do anything until one gets into an emergency avoidance situation. Then they can be the difference between life and death. Either you, a family member, or an inocent bystander.

I have kept my track and sway bars. But my reasons are not normal. I often pull a 1500 lb folding trailer. I feel I need the control the track bars offer. So I am trying have my cake and eat it too. My rear track bar is stock. My front track bar is the JKS telescoping track bar which is kept locked until I get to the trail head. I have the JKS Quicker Disconnects for the sway bar. Maybe this is not optimum for the trail but better for the highway which is important for my situation.

It's all a matter of tradeoffs.

Sparky

[Rock WoRM]

NO sway bars, not for years. This does however, affect the handling on road.
Well, if it were me, (and just my $.o2 again) I'd go to a wrecking yard and find another sway and get some discos for the street. Can't hardly run mine on the street without sways, but the tracs IMHO don't make a noticeable difference, if one at all. And I still DO have the front... its just not been connected for a couple years! :jammin:


Hey, here's a thought... call Joe and see if he has one in that blue trash can ya can have! :jiggy: :shades:



WoRM :bsod:

P.S. here's another thought... if ya want it, I'll pull it, and U can have my front trac for shipping. got the rear laying under some crap somewhere, too.

[Farmun]

During my recent 3.5 lift installation, I removed both the track and sway bars. Drove it for a few days, and realized it was too "squirrelly" for me. Put some RE discos on and it helped a little bit with the dipping in the corners, but the heep still veers from side to side on the road. No way am I gonna let the Misses drive it until the Track bar is back on, and pulling the boat is out of the question for now.

I don't really want to pony up the cash for the JKS telescoping bars mentioned at the top of this thread, so I've started designing my own sliding version. (Got the idea from another "Poster" on here.) Getting the parts together now, but am having difficulty determining how much "slide" it will need to have either in compression and/or expansion. I don't want it to come apart when it is worked, otherwise I'll have to unbolt it to get it back together. Then what is the purpose?

Those of you running the JKS telescoping version, how much "telescoping" actually occurs?

[alswope]

Those of you running the JKS telescoping version, how much "telescoping" actually occurs?

Do they actually telescope during use? I thought that just meant you could adjust to a fixed length??

[Farmun]

I haven't been up close with a JKS telescoping track bar, but from their website:

"The JKS Telescoping Trackbar provides 31% more suspension articulation off-road without sacrificing the stability necessary for safe on-road operation. In fact, the amount of articulation prohibited by the OE front trackbar is comparable to the amount of articulation gained with JKS swaybar disconnects!
Our Telescoping Trackbar is a direct replacement for the original and features a locking, slip-shaft mechanism that is greasable for smooth, silent operation. When unlocked, the trackbar becomes transparent to the vehicle, allowing unrestricted suspension travel and maximum off-road performance. To prevent binding, high quality, Teflon-lined heim joints attach the trackbar to the axle and chassis."

This is different than the adjustable track bar, which allows for "tweaking" (via threaded heim joint at one end), to center the axle under the vehicle while at rest.

A fixed track bar pulls the axle towards the driver's side when the leaf springs unload, and pushes the axle to the passenger's side when compressed. Telescoping/sliding track bars allow the axle to "float" up and down, without this pushing/pulling effect.

[alswope]

Interesting, the only problem I could imagine would be that if you weren't on flat level ground when you locked it in, it might make you handle weird or sit cockeyed. Neat idea though.

[Karma]

HI All,
The JKS Telescoping Track Bar definitely telescopes when it's unlocked. When it's locked it functions just like the stock track bar but the geometry is slightly different because it must be absolutely straight to allow it to telescope. I don't think that is a problem.

It has a clamp with a 9/16 nut on it. To unlock, just loosen the nut. To lock, tighten the nut. What could be simpler?

I don't know how far it telescopes and I'm not about to take mine apart to find out. Call JKS.

Sparky