Topic: JKS Trackbar installation

[jfrabat]

Hey, guys, the UPS guy just dropped off my new track bar, but I have a doubt; according to the instructions, I should install back my regular pitman arm instead of the dropped one.  Simple enough; except for the fact that my normal pitman is long gone!

So I guess my question is, if I keep my dropped pitman, will it cause bump steer?  I hope I dont have to end up paying for a new pitman arm...  That would REALLY suck!

Felipe

[neale_rs]

The drag link and track bar should be parallel to each other.  If you have a track bar relocation bracket, using it will be fine with the drop pitman arm.  If you remove the track bar relocator, then you need the stock pitman arm.  This is the theory, in practice, my '95 YJ actually seems to steer and drive better with no front and rear track bars.

[Jeffy]

Hey, guys, the UPS guy just dropped off my new track bar, but I have a doubt; according to the instructions, I should install back my regular pitman arm instead of the dropped one.  Simple enough; except for the fact that my normal pitman is long gone!

So I guess my question is, if I keep my dropped pitman, will it cause bump steer?  I hope I dont have to end up paying for a new pitman arm...  That would REALLY suck!

Felipe

No, but it will bind till the trackbar gives out.  Also if you happen to forget to loosen the collar on the trackbar it will loosen it to where you won't be able to retighten it.

The only way it stops bumpsteer is by locking the front suspension to where it can't move very much.  Basically what the stock trackbar does but for more money.

[jfrabat]

The reason I got this track bar is that since I barely (if ever) do any wheeling here, I prefer to keep the track bar on.  But the relocation bracket comes loose every few weeks, which results in some anoying "THUMP!" coming from under the Jeep.  So I thought I'd get this track bar and remove the track bar relocation bracket that came with the RE lift kit, and if I DO go wheeling anytime soon, I can just loosen up the track bar and improve the flexing of the Jeep.

But now I am starting to have doubts if this was a good buy or not...  Anyway, I already have it, so I plan to install it.  I hope the binding is not too bad (as a result of using it with the dropped pitman), because I refuse to spend an additional $30 bucks to get a pitman.

Felipe

[Jeffy]

Well, I'd get the pitman arm if I were you.  You could end up with some strange handling issue under heavy braking otherwise.

Even when not wheeling hard, the trackbar sees a lot of stress.  This is why the extensions that are used with most kits don't stay tight.  It's best to disconnect the trackbar otherwise the trackbar will either break the extension off or worst case crack or bend the axle tube.

The proper fix would be to correct the steering geometry.  Now if you got rid of the trackbar and flipped the tie-rods, you'd probably have very little if any bumpsteer.  Flipping the tie-rods should give you about the same as lowering your Jeep 2-3" without having to do so.  It will also raise your tie-rod up so its not hanging as low.

[neale_rs]

I'm using a drop pitman arm and no track bars and it responds very well.  In fact, the handling was kind of strange at times with the front track bar installed (one time it felt like I was being pulled into a wall), I'm really happy that it is gone, no strange handling since it was removed.

[garydubf]

The reason I got this track bar is that since I barely (if ever) do any wheeling here, I prefer to keep the track bar on.  But the relocation bracket comes loose every few weeks, which results in some anoying "THUMP!" coming from under the Jeep.  So I thought I'd get this track bar and remove the track bar relocation bracket that came with the RE lift kit, and if I DO go wheeling anytime soon, I can just loosen up the track bar and improve the flexing of the Jeep.

But now I am starting to have doubts if this was a good buy or not...  Anyway, I already have it, so I plan to install it.  I hope the binding is not too bad (as a result of using it with the dropped pitman), because I refuse to spend an additional $30 bucks to get a pitman.

Felipe

If you need a stock arm I can send you one. You pay shipping and it's yours!

[jfrabat]

If you need a stock arm I can send you one. You pay shipping and it's yours!

Thanks for the offer, but I already ordered one...  Found a Crown one for about $17 ($24 shipped), so it was not THAT bad.  I am still POd that I threw out the other one, though!

Felipe