Rear axle not centered after RE 3.5" lift

csabo98 · 06-06-2009, 09:03 PM

I just installed a RE 3.5" lift. I used the rear trackbar relocation bracket supplied with the kit but was measureing rear clearence and i am off 3/4" to the passanger side. The axle needs to move over 3/8" of inch to recenter. Is it necassary to buy a rear adjustable trackbar to correct this? Do others have this problem? What would be the cause of this? It would not be such a issue but i am running the stock rims with 10.5 wide tires and i am barely clearing the spring perch and am worried about it with articulation.

**RedRubiconLJ** · 06-06-2009, 10:03 PM

Every jeep is different. 3/4" isnt bad at all. I know that if you add the adj tb it will stick out the drivers side more unless you trim the tb per RE's instructions, even with the tb bracket.

Once the springs start to settle a little and or you start adding armor and rear tire carrier and oversize spare it will move over. Id leave it for now IMO.

**wushaw** · 06-06-2009, 10:06 PM

Short arm or Long arm lift?

csabo98 · 06-07-2009, 10:14 AM

It is the RE short arm Super Flex 3.5". Everything else is stock including rims for now just 31x10.5x15 tires on canyon wheels. Will be upgrading to 33's in the next few weeks but want to finish the lift including working out all problems and adding a SYE

thejafe · 06-07-2009, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedRubiconLJ

Every jeep is different. 3/4" isnt bad at all. I know that if you add the adj tb it will stick out the drivers side more unless you trim the tb per RE's instructions, even with the tb bracket.

Where did you get this info? I've never heard of RE recommending that you trim the track bar.

RE recommends that you run the RE1602 track bar WITH the RE1620 track bar bracket. That's how mine and many others are setup. Which bracket are you using right now?

**Jerry Bransford** · 06-07-2009, 10:42 AM

You cannot "trim the trackbar", I'd be willing to bet you misread that part of the instructions.

The front and rear axles move to the side as a result of a suspension lift due to how the trackbar connects the axle to the frame. The trackbar's purpose is to locate the axle left-to-right... in other words, its job is to keep the axle centered under the Jeep.

Look at the letter Z with the track bar being the diagonal line between the upper line (frame) and lower line (axle). If you lift the upper part of the Z by installing a suspension lift, the diagonal part, the trackbar, will pull the axle to the side. In the front, the axle moves towards the driver's side and in the rear, the axle moves towards the passenger side.

This is because the trackbars are connected opposite in the front and rear. Front: the trackbar connects between the passenger-side of the axle to the frame on the driver's side. Rear: the trackbar connects between the passenger side of the frame to the driver's side of the axle. Hence they pull the axles to the opposites sides when a suspension lift is installed.

all3forus · 06-07-2009, 12:19 PM

I have the 3.5" lift on my 01 TJ...I used the track bar braket that came with the kit and was still 3/4" off...I bought the RE 1620 ADJ rear track bar and had to adjust it all the way in to make it fit...But my rear axle is centred...

thejafe · 06-07-2009, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by all3forus

.I bought the RE 1620 ADJ rear track bar and had to adjust it all the way in to make it fit...But my rear axle is centred...

Exactly, that's what happens. You'll have to thread it all the way in to make it fit.

thejafe · 06-07-2009, 12:27 PM

Excellent description, Jerry! Thanks for that.

csabo98 · 06-07-2009, 03:02 PM

I will try the re1602. Thanks

thejafe · 06-07-2009, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by csabo98

I will try the re1602. Thanks

Alright, but be aware that bracket is designed to be run with a CV/SYE setup.

csabo98 · 06-07-2009, 10:22 PM

I ment to say re1620 adjustable track bar. I am installing a sye. Do I need to change the bracket also? Or is the adjustable track bar all I need?

**armyRN** · 06-07-2009, 11:38 PM

I've got the RE 3.5 kit on my jeep (came with front adjustable track bar) and I put the rear track bar bracket on that is designed for the SYE kit (tilted rear end) and the stock rear track bar. I went out and measured mine after reading this thread, and the passenger side tire sticks out about 1/2" more so than the driver's side. You can't tell by looking at it, but I measured from the top of the rear coil bucket to the side of the tire. So for a brief moment I thought it was time for an RE rear adjustable track bar. Then I got to thinking about Jerry's "Z" diagram, and I thought "When the driver's side tire goes up (when flexing) the tire will actually go AWAY from the frame just a little bit - away from hitting the coil bucket. The passenger side tire is already a little bit farther away, and when it droops, it will come in a little bit". So I'll save the RE adjustable rear track bar money and instead buy some more armor (I need some rear corner guards). At least move the rear adjustable track bar a little further down my Jeep needs/want list.

lawson1273 · 06-08-2009, 12:17 AM

Will I have the same problem with the RC 3.25" lift...I purchased an adjustable track bar for the front but I figured the bracket in the rear would be good to go...Should I buy one for the rear as well...I hope so cause funds are low I have already bought about 2,000 worth of stuff and i promised the wife that I would stop when I got around 2,000, for now at least. I am new to the TJ's, I drove my YJ with no track bars at all.

thejafe · 06-08-2009, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by armyRN

At least move the rear adjustable track bar a little further down my Jeep needs/want list.

I would still get it. I'd be willing to bet that with the stock track bar you have some binding when your suspension cycles.