Uhrinator

So we've had loose steering in our jeep since we got it. (No steering response from 11 'o'clock to 1 'o'clock) I just looked under it today to find the problem. Once I looked at all of the steering components, i found that the track bar was loose on the driver side. I tried to look and see how to tighten it up, but it looks like there is a protector from the outside where I cant get to the coder pin and adjust the nut. I have looked at other pictures of track bars and they do not have this. I have the front stock skid plate, is it going to be a big job to tighten up the track bar, or can I get it done in a day? Thanks
Ben

wildspear

Are you able to post a picture of what your talking about? I having some trouble coming up with a mental picture. My track bar had no protector. If you have a front skid plate it will be easier messing with the front end if you take it off.

Uhrinator

Yeah, Ill get some pictures when it comes home in a bit. Have you ever taken the front skid off?

Metmknice

If it is a stock bar, then youshould be able to pull the pin out.. Clip it and pull it out, buy a new one.. Are you sure that the nut is loose, or is your rod end finally toast?

wildspear

The front skid isn't that hard to get off. I took my stock one off by myself (it would be easier if someone helps, it's a little heavy, not bad though), just alot of bolts.

I had a "DW" issue and I attributted it to the tie rod end on the track bar it was toasted (about a 1/2" of play with everything tightened.

Uhrinator

Here are the pictures as requested.
You can see in the first one the driver side of the track bar, I can't get to the nut from this side, so should I just take this whole mount off?

Uhrinator

It could be toast, but i don't know how to tell. I have about a 1/4" of play when I push on it.

OverlandZJ

It's shot... replace it.

When you drop it down from the bracket it bolts through, take a look and make sure the hole is not wallowed out, if it is get yourself a new bracket as well.

Trackbars are cheap..

wildspear

I couldn't get to that bolt very well either, so I took a sawzall to it. If you have play init then that thing is done. I upgraded to a better track bar because of my DW issue, I got this;

http://ironman4x4fab.com/Jeep_XJ_Track_Bars/XJ_FTB.html

Great track bar! Shop around and decide what would work best for you (OEM, aftermarket), but if you have play then get a new one.

dukie564

agreed you can't just "tighten it up" - you need a new one once the joints go bad.

And yes, the upper castle nut is a PITA to get to.

Uhrinator

So I got a new track bar from rock auto. $35! I put it in today and it worked well. Just wondering, did any of you guys replace the bolt on the passenger side, it seemed a little loose to me. Thanks for the help again. Ben and Kayla.

jeffh

I just put new front shocks on the front of my '98 XJ. I took it to get aligned and the mechanic showed me the play in my track bar. He quoted me $270 to replace it. I thought it was kinda high and from the sound of this thread, I guess Im right.
How hard is it to replace?

dukie564

not hard. Take 2 nuts off, yank off the old one, put the new one on, reinstall nuts

Uhrinator

Took me three hours total. Almost half of that was getting to the upper castle nut. It's easy if u can get that codder pin out. All you need is a 15mm socket and a 7/8" I think. I know the 15, can't remember what the castle nut is. Good luck! Oh yeah and go to rock auto to get your track bar, looks like your at stock height too. I got mine for around $35 shipped in two days.

jeffh

Did you have to raise your XJ to get the track bar off?

Thanks for the info!