Topic: steering pop

[jcoleman]

Well it's not my jeep, but a friend of mine has a 2000 Cherokee with roughly three inches of lift (maybe 4) and 33's.  I know very little about steering and suspension components so I couldn't tell you what it is that's popping.  However I took a picture.  It appears that a couple of the bolt's are loose.  We were able to tighten one down, but the other we couldn't reach.  Here is the picture:



if you click on the image it will SUPERSIZE! 

The left most bolt of the three is loose, but can't be tightened.  Because We can't reach the nut in the back because it's within the component.

Is it really because it's loose that it's popping?  Or is it something else?  Also, for vocabulary reasons, what is this thing?

[Jeffy]

That looks to be the trackbar.  If that's loose then the trackbar could rock in the bracket which isn't a good thing.  It will eventually cause the bracket to break.  And yes, if it moves it will make a solid clunk when the suspension flexes or you try turning semi-fast.

[jcoleman]

That's what I thought it was, but I really had no idea.  And yes that's exactly what it is doing, rocking in the bracket, and clunking at about 3/4th of a full turn to the left and then clunks again as your turn back to the right.  How do I fix it, because I can't reach the nut on the end of the left most bolt? Does that make any sense?  We tried to tighten it, but didn't try REAL hard because steering scares me.

Thanks for the quick reply btw. 

[Jeffy]

I'm sure there is a nut back there.  You might have to disconnect the track bar first.  I'm not XJ expert though.  A TJ'er might know as well.

[Mozman68]

I've never had an issue tightening my track bar....at worse you should only need and extension on a wrench to hold the back in place while you tighten the front.  I tightened mine as hard as it could go and it took care of the death wobble I was experiencing after I installed my lift,

This is my favorite front end picture...it helped me alot when I worked on my steering...scares me too, but once you figure out what everything does, you'll feel more confident working on it.

[garydubf]

definately get it tightened! try dropping the track bar out to expose the hidden bolt.  Maybe ever pull the bolt out to make sure it isn't damaged and replace as needed with grade 8 hardware and lok tite!

[jfrabat]

Based on your desciption of the bracket, my money is on the cause being the loose screws you mentioned...  But it is possible that the poping is at the rod ends as well if these are worn down.  To check for this is really simple; lift the passanger side wheel up, and try to rock it from side to side.  If there is any movement, then the rod ends are your problem (the reason for the passanger side is that ussually right hand turns are taken at higher speeds than left hand turns, so this side wears out faster).

By the way, just as a general comment, I have this popping myself, so I was doing some research on the subject.  I have not yet checked out y track bar (it's on a different location on the YJ, but has pretty much the same effect, and tends to have this problem when trackbar relocation brackets are used), but I am still debating wether to remove the track bar completely or retighten it.  I also need to check the rod ends for wear (the passanger side looks pretty much done for!) and most likely replace them.

Moz,

NICE IMAGE!  What did you use?  Photoshop?  I should learn how to use that darn program!!!

Felipe

[Bounty Hunter]

I would take that bracket off and redrill the lower hole about a half inch to DS.  Or get the teraflex adustable trackbar, beefy and affordable.

[Mozman68]

Moz,

NICE IMAGE!  What did you use?  Photoshop?  I should learn how to use that darn program!!!

Hah...nope...see on the lower right hand side of the pic....great sight for info on a variety of Jeeps the guy has owned.  I don't think he has had a YJ, but the other info is very detailed and well written.

[Got Wood?]

That is a track-bar relocation bracket. It is a cheaper way to re-center the axle after a lift. I had one on my xj and it worked pretty well for a while, eventually it loosened up though and once it did it started popping, it also made my steering very loose. Once it gets loose the holes will oval out and you will probably have a very hard time ever getting it tight enough after that. I changed my trackbar for and adjustable and got rid of the relocation bracket. The bolt on the lower left has a nut that is recessed into a cavity on the axle, the stock one had a nut with a tab on it to hold it in place, if that nut has not been reused you can probably get a wrench on it but it will  be a pita.

[Mozman68]

x2...I was just under my rig straightening out my steering wheel and noticed that tabbed nut for the track bar...only because the tab was all bent up from being smashed this past weekend.....

I can imagine what a pain it would be to tighten that thing without the tab.

[jcoleman]

wow thanks for all the replies guys. as woody mentioned, it does have that tab to keep it in place, but the bolt doesn't seem to want to tighten any further.  but it was still pretty loose.  I'll be recommending a new track bar, he is even less mechanically inclined than I am so i'm not sure what road we will take.

hope I can tighten that little bugga.

ps. thanks for the pic mozman!

[jcoleman]

I just looked at that teraflex adjustable track bar.  And I just wanted to clear something up really quick.  Am I correct to assume that I can get rid of that bracket that hangs down and bolt the track bar directly into the upper bracket? or do I still need the other bracket?

[Mozman68]

It just prevents you from having to drill a hole in the passenger side mounting location to accommodate for the lift you have added.

I have the adjustable track bar never installed....will probably sell on here next month since I will have a new high steer kit with my D60.

[Got Wood?]

Am I correct to assume that I can get rid of that bracket that hangs down and bolt the track bar directly into the upper bracket? or do I still need the other bracket?

Yes you are correct, the bracket is an aftermarket bolt on, replace the track bar with and adjustable and you can remove the bracket and bolt the new trackbar directly into the stock location on the axle.