DoublewideGBC

My girlfriends son ramped my 1998 GC off a concrete curb. It bent the brace ( comes down from frame at about 35degrees and has bushings at either end) that comes from the frame and bolts into the bracket that is welded to the axle tube. I have removed the badly bent brace, but am going to have to seek professional help bending the bracket on the axle tube true again.

My question is this: can my GC be driven temporarily without that brace, or will driving forces and turning stresses allow the axle to move back and forth which would make the tire impact the wheel well?

Thank you for your input,

DoublewideGBC

mnewxcv

do you have a picture? do you mean the track bar?

XJlimitedx99

I have no idea what you mean by suspension brace. If what you meant was track bar then the answer is an absolute no. Limp around the yard maybe; street, no.

FruitSnacks

Maybe one of the control arms? Frame to axle right? Is it pointing forwards?

dave1123

If you're talking about the lower control arms, there are 2 of them, absolutely not. There are actually 5 control arms that locate and support the front axle. The 4 control arms, upper and lower, keep the axle located front-to-rear and twist. The track bar keeps the axle centered sideways.

Because of the way the steering linkage is designed, if the track bar is removed, the direction the truck steers will change every time the axle moves side-to-side. Bad track bar bushings are a common cause of "death wobble".

From what you describe, I would think it's the lower control arm you're talking about. Either way, I wouldn't move it anymore more than necessary.

mnewxcv

OP, whether its track bar or LCA, get it towed. you would essentially have no control over the steering of the jeep as the axle moving around would pull it in different directions. if a track bar bushing can cause death wobble, just think about not having a track bar at all.

DoublewideGBC

It's the lower control arm

DoublewideGBC

It's the lower control arm. Points forwards towards axle.

mnewxcv

tow it!

czettlera

Absolutely not! You will miss this part much, when you really need it: fast turning, braking. It's very dangerous!