removing the track bars

Bill_Dunnigan · 04-06-2007, 10:34 PM

i heard on thread here that you could remove the front track bar completely..... is this ok to do, i thought it kept the axle inline witht the body and took some stress off the control arms. i heard that someone had done it after putting on a bb lift

**Jerry Bransford** · 04-06-2007, 10:40 PM

No, you can't remove the trackbars at all. The trackbar is what holds the axle in place side-to-side on a coil spring suspension like the TJ's is. And if you removed the front trackbar, you couldn't even steer.

Bill_Dunnigan · 04-06-2007, 10:43 PM

thanks Jerry thats what i figured. that other thread seemed a little wierd to me

**stogie25** · 04-06-2007, 11:49 PM

The bolt that held my front trackbar to the frame broke one day on the trail. The Jeep would not steer to the right. I am very glad this happened in 4 low at about 2 MPH. Fortunately we were able to use the bolt that held my friends D-ring to his reciever as a replacement.

DO NOT DRIVE WITHOUT YOUR FRONT TRACKBAR!!!!

Good luck

**Jerry Bransford** · 04-06-2007, 11:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stogie25

DO NOT DRIVE WITHOUT YOUR FRONT TRACKBAR!!!!

Or the rear either, unless you have converted your OE rear 5-link suspension to a triangulated suspension.

**JeepRocks86** · 04-07-2007, 12:16 AM

leave them in... i don't have a rear track bar, but thats because of my rear suspension set up... triangulated

rockrunner · 04-07-2007, 12:51 AM

i think you can on yj's but not tj's

**Jerry Bransford** · 04-07-2007, 12:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockrunner

i think you can on yj's but not tj's

That is true.

cbowles · 04-07-2007, 03:21 AM

the guy who i bought my tj from disconnected the rear track bar when he went wheeling once (i still cant figure out why he would do it though). he never connected it back to the frame. after 2 months of my jeep wobbling back and fourth while driving, i found this out and put in a bolt to connect it... no more wobble, no more lean. i agree with jerry that you shouldnt drive without the rear one, but i did for 2 months and it didnt kill me or anything ... it was just a little wobbly

Tgoose · 04-07-2007, 08:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cbowles

the guy who i bought my tj from disconnected the rear track bar o

I'm thinking you mean the swaybar.

**Jerry Bransford** · 04-07-2007, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cbowles

the guy who i bought my tj from disconnected the rear track bar when he went wheeling once (i still cant figure out why he would do it though). he never connected it back to the frame. after 2 months of my jeep wobbling back and fourth while driving, i found this out and put in a bolt to connect it... no more wobble, no more lean. i agree with jerry that you shouldnt drive without the rear one, but i did for 2 months and it didnt kill me or anything ... it was just a little wobbly

DARNED hard on the control arms though.

ediot · 04-07-2007, 12:11 PM

For the OP you may reread the tread you are referrring to because it may not be the track bar but the front sway bar like Tgoose said.Alot of people disconnect the front sway bar for better articulation to keep both wheels on the ground for traction.Just a thought.

Bill_Dunnigan · 04-07-2007, 02:17 PM

no i meant the track bar, not the sway bar, i already knew about that

cbowles · 04-09-2007, 01:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jerry Bransford

DARNED hard on the control arms though.

You know, I never thought about taking a look at the control arms for wear and such... I'm sure he had it off for some time before i got it... I think I will be checking them tomorrow for wear and such! Good ol Jerry, always words of wisdom from between his teeth!!

**Joe Dillard** · 04-09-2007, 02:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sait

thanks Jerry thats what i figured. that other thread seemed a little wierd to me

Feel free to go ahead & post the link to it or mention the BB you saw it on unless you somehow forgot or something wierd like that.

Here's where mine have been for years. It's a YJ.

We toss both of 'em in the trash along with front swaybar too all the time if you have done your homework and have set-up your suspension correctly.

If or when we get sad & lonely, we pull them out of the trash can, brush the cob webs off, put them on a silver platter & throw them a nice little beer party & welcome them back home.