4bangerjp.com
General Forums => The Mess Hall => Topic started by: neale_rs on February 10, 2008, 08:38:12 AM
-
A RE 4.5 ED lift was installed recently on my YJ. The front track bar was left in place and relocated with the supplied bracket and a drop pitman arm was installed. Testing this weekend showed that the front flex is pretty bad even with the sway bar diconnected, rear flex is pretty good with the track bar long since removed. The up travel of the front passenger side is especially bad, barely noticeable. I´m now considerring removing the front track bar (rear is already gone). With the bar in place withh the relocation bracket the steering is very good, no signifficant bump steer. In theory, the YJ should not need track bars, like the older CJs, but nothing beats practical experience. From members running with no track bars: How well does it steer on road? Thanks.
-
Works fine without. Track bar doesn't have anything to do with bump steer anyway.
-
The trackbar is in the same plane as the drag-link. It stiffens the suspension and keeps the axle at the correct distance for the drag-link. When the suspension compresses it will push the axle slightly off center which keeps the wheels inline with the steering wheel Otherwise, when the suspension compresses it will cause the tires to turn. (This is because the distance between the pitman arm end and the drag-link end changes when the suspension moves.) This happens mostly when you are hard on the brakes. Since you instinctively try to correct for the turn, when you let off the brakes, the Jeep will pull in the other direction, usually left. (Hit hard brakes, pulls right, left off quickly, pulls left.) How much really depends on several things, spring rate, drag-link to tie-rod angle, amount of lift, how fast your going and how quickly you're braking.
You'll also notice that without the front track bar, the steering won't feel as crisp. This is because the suspension is now allowed to move a bit and therefor there is more play. The steering wheel will probably be slightly slower to center as well.
-
Jeffy,
I was also thinking about taking the front track bar out, and this is the best explanation I've found so far as to the effects of removing it! Thanks!
Felipe
-
Thanks for the comments and explanation. I went ahead and disconnected it at the axle and tied it up to the frame to see how it felt. Absolutely no noticeable difference. Haven't tried hard braking yet though. I did test drive a very lifted Cherokee recently that had quite a bit of bumpsteer and just during the test drive learned to just let the steering wheel whip back and forth a bit without trying to correct. It always went straight and it was just the steering wheel that was reacting.
-
Last night I noticed another effect. The front suspension rose 3/8. It seems the track bar was holding it down. The bit of extra lift now makes my steering wheel tilt a bit to the right when the Jeep is going straight.
-
Last night I noticed another effect. The front suspension rose 3/8. It seems the track bar was holding it down. The bit of extra lift now makes my steering wheel tilt a bit to the right when the Jeep is going straight.
That means you didn't properly adjust it when installing the kit.
-
Yes, it must have been under some tension, making the suspension bind in some way. Upon reviewing some pictures the front flex wasn't quite as bad as I thought at first but I'll still keep the bar disconnected for a while to see how it behaves both on and off road. Thanks.
-
You will really notice having no front trackbar if you run a locker in the rear. It will take extra movement of the steering wheel to turn to overcome the locker's tendency to keep you going straight, as without a trackbar your steering initially pushes the axle sideways before turning the wheels.
-
I am planning to install a locker some time next year. I won't get rid of the track bar since it sounds like I may need it later. Thanks for the heads up.