A quick question about my ZJ's front track bar

speed_demon · 08-20-2009, 02:02 PM

So in my attempt to find out exactly what is causing my terrible DW I've been trying to track down loose parts in the front end. I had someone turn the wheel while I was under the jeep and saw that my rusted old track bar was moving around a lot, and I replaced it.

Now since I still have DW I am wondering if something was done wrong with the install. My question is, if someone is turning the wheel back and forth while the jeep is parked should either end of the track bar be moving at all?
The frame end of my bar moves a little, and the axle end moves about 1/4'' in each direction.

I made sure no bolt holes were ovalled out, and that all bolts were torqued to proper jeep specs.

Thanks guys!

rugermack · 08-20-2009, 02:19 PM

If the track bar is moving, you either ovaled the holes or the bolts are worn too. It shouldn't move when its torqued to the right spec.- at all.

speed_demon · 08-20-2009, 02:26 PM

That's what I figured. I did a ton of searching and found some of the torque specs listed for a zj, so I torqued the axle end bolt to the 30 Ft-lbs that was listed.

So my next question would be, what is the proper torque spec for the axle end track bar bolt?

speed_demon · 08-20-2009, 05:42 PM

Ok, I torqued the axle end TB bolt down as hard as I could (80ft-lbs), and the axle end of the bar still moves around an 1/8 inch in the corresponding direction when the wheel is turned. It only looks like the bushing and the TB are moving, the bolt is very solid and the hole is definitely not ovalled out at all.

I guess I'll go see if it helped my DW any.

**Virmagicus** · 08-21-2009, 05:58 AM

If the bushing and TB move at the same time it is somewhat normal due to a soft bushing.. Make sure the sleeve is tight and has no play in it. Seems most overlook the sleeve.