Topic: Offset rear axle? Is it possible or is sometihing bent?

[neale_rs]

You might consider putting on an off-camber slope to see if it slides back to a more normal position.  If this happens you will most likely directly see what the problem is.

[sharpxmen]

looks like it's moved towards the driver's side which is opposite to what would offset if you lift it, so i tend to think something is bent

[Torch_Ind]

take some pictures of your track bar and suspension

[Jeffy]

The accident wasn't hard enough to do much damage to anything other then the body.  I'd check the bushings and them maybe disconnect the track bar and see if it changes anything.  Check the bushings and make sure the control arms aren't bent.  Might as well measure the control arms to axle and frame points to see if they're even

[jagular7]

Can't see too much of a problem other than it is rubbing the opposite from the track bar mount.

Couple of things could have happened during and after the accident. Check the track bar mounts both on the axle and the frame. Like others suggested, look at the bushings as well. The accident may have impacted the axle mount and cracked if off the tubing.

Next, tires are the same. Are the wheels the same? And mounted on the axle correctly (not turned around)? From the pic of the passenger side, it looks like they are the 5-spoke steel 15x7 rims. You may have a mix of Jeep rims with different offset (backspacing) on the rims. Your spare is the basic 15x6 steel slot rim and probably has the 205/75R-15 tire on it. So the wheel is different.
Swap rear tires from right to left and see if there is still the same problem. When you have the rear wheels off, lay them on the ground with the outside down. Measure the depthness of the wheel mounting surface (wms) wrt the tire - take a tape measure and use a horizontal bar or piece of wood across the tire. Measure to the wms which contacts the brake drum. They should be the same. If you can, do the same to the front wheels as well.

The track bar mount and the bushing on the frame behind the coil on the passenger side looks good from the pic. The lower control arms and the sway bar links look like they are the same on both sides.

Do note, you are missing the rubber bump stops that fit in the holder inside the spring.

[rc10t4orange]

I assume it is adjustable on the axle end?? I had the body end off a couple of times.  I noticed that the axle end has one of those dang torx head bolts I hate.  Thanks for the input I did not know it was adjustable it is hard to tell.  I am leaning towards getting the measurements off of a good track bar and comparing those to mine.  Anyone have those measurements?? Thanks Josh.

[jagular7]

I assume it is adjustable on the axle end?? I had the body end off a couple of times.  I noticed that the axle end has one of those dang torx head bolts I hate.  Thanks for the input I did not know it was adjustable it is hard to tell.  I am leaning towards getting the measurements off of a good track bar and comparing those to mine.  Anyone have those measurements?? Thanks Josh.

Nope the stock track bar is a fixed length. I have an adjustable so I'm no help with stock length. The bracket on the axle has a torx bolt holding it in. Yep, computerized machines put the vehicle together and they use precise tools and precise toleranced fasteners which is why many of the bolts are torx. The bracket shouldn't look bent and check the welds on the housing as well for cracks.

[rc10t4orange]

Anybody have a stock track bar and control arms they are willing to sell?  If not I'm going to check salvage then new.  Thanks Josh

[Jeffy]

Anybody have a stock track bar and control arms they are willing to sell?  If not I'm going to check salvage then new.  Thanks Josh

You really should take some measurements before you start throwing money at it.

[sharpxmen]

I assume it is adjustable on the axle end?? I had the body end off a couple of times.  I noticed that the axle end has one of those dang torx head bolts I hate.  Thanks for the input I did not know it was adjustable it is hard to tell.  I am leaning towards getting the measurements off of a good track bar and comparing those to mine.  Anyone have those measurements?? Thanks Josh.

the hole in the bracket at the axle end is oval (at least on my '95 YJ was and i would think your's would be the same) but looks like your axle is off to the left more than you can adjust - check the bushings there too and visually inspect the bracket.

look at the rims as well like it was suggested before

[rc10t4orange]

I measured the rims from the outside they are all the same.  I also put a level from the lower control arm up on each side leveled it vertically and measured to the frame.  Left side=1/2" right side=1 3/4".  Thanks Josh

[Jeffy]

I measured the rims from the outside they are all the same.  I also put a level from the lower control arm up on each side leveled it vertically and measured to the frame.  Left side=1/2" right side=1 3/4".  Thanks Josh

You should be measuring the arms lengths.  You will probably also want to disconnect the track-bar so you know for sure it's not shifting the axle either way.  Also measure from fixed parts of the axle and to the mounts on the frame so you're measuring the actual distances and not just control arm lengths.

[rc10t4orange]

Well I got a known good track bar and compared it to mie and actually installed it didnt change a thing.  I'm gonna post some pics here in a bit best I can tell nothing is bent.  Swapped wheels from side to side didnt matter.  I even measured the wheel base, front control mount to rear and cross ways to check square all ok.  Measuring from frame to outside of tire left stick out 1 1/4" farther.  My next step is to compare control arms side to side.  Pcs coming soon.  Thanks Josh

[rc10t4orange]

[sharpxmen]

interesting, so i guess the hole on the TJ bracket is not oval.

EDIT: oops, YOUR AXLE IS BENT - that makes sense now since everything else looks like is fine.




EDIT: here's a better one