What is a track bar on a Jeep Cherokee?
First, let’s cover those basics: A track bar is a vital component of your Jeep’s suspension system. In other words, it is a suspension link that helps keep the axle centered under the Jeep no matter how much your other suspension components articulate or flex.
How do I know if my Jeep track bar is bad?
Symptoms of a Bad or Failing Track Bar
- Vibration in the steering wheel.
- Vehicle drives loose.
- Noises from under the front end.
- Wobbling at higher speeds.
What are symptoms of a bad track bar?
Symptoms: Track bars take a lot of load and an improperly adjusted, damaged, or loose track bar can cause the axle to sit off-center, cause clunking or popping when steering or going over bumps, and can cause the steering wheel to be off-center.
Why do I need a short track bar on my Jeep?
When upgrading your suspension by adding a lift kit, the added height will throw off the alignment of your track bar, shifting it left or right of center (a short track bar will shift the front axle assembly to the driver side – one that’s too long will shift your front axle to the passenger side).
What happens if track bar goes out of adjustment?
A worn-out track bar, or one out of adjustment, can lead to extra wear and stress on other suspension components. It can also cause ‘bump steer’ and even aid the effects of ‘death wobble’.
What kind of track bar do I Need?
There are many different types of track bars on the market, such as factory, tapered ball-joint-style end or double shear style ends. Even fixed length or adjustable length track bars depending on your suspension goals/needs. A general rule-of-thumb is if you’re not planning on a lift kit greater than 2.5″, then the factory-style track bar is fine.
What causes the track bar to wobble on a Jeep Wrangler?
Preventing Death Wobble & Jeep Wrangler Track Bar Replacement. The Jeep Wrangler death wobble refers to a vibration that can be caused by your track bar bushings, collars, or brackets which makes the axle want to free itself from your Wrangler. Check out the track bar bushings.
What kind of track bar do you need on a Jeep Wrangler?
Lifted Jeeps require longer track bars while normal Wranglers can stick to the regular length bars. Make sure you get the right track bar length/adjuster that is compatible with your lift size. After removing the old track bar and before installing the new one, you need to center the axle.
How do you fix a broken track bar?
Get under your rig and inspect the bar which is attached to your axle and is parallel to your axle shafts. Check for cracked bushings, physical damage, looseness, etc. Maybe you installed a lift and you now realize your Jeep looks laterally offset when looking at it from the front or rear. A longer track bar is necessary to fix this.
Why do I have loose brackets on my track bar?
Loose brackets can even cause a terrible death wobble which we cover more later on. The bushings, usually polyurethane, are made to preserve the track bar, allowing some flex between the collar and the track bar. If your bushings are old and dry rotted, they will not be doing any good.