I don't make 'em, they are made by Rubicon Express.
I'm sure you can get a lot of stuff cheaper from RC, after you've been around the block a few times you'll understand why.

I've had one of those TB brackets returned and replaced under warranty. To equate them with a thin, stamped steel bracket is ludicrous.

I've been around here for a long time..... long before I started Serious OffRoad. I give my time and advice freely.

Sorry you mistook my posts as nothing more than an attempt to sell you something, I can assure youthat wasn't the intent.

Best of luck with your rig.

 

Trust me, you do not want to get a track bar from rough country, the bushings are junk and I have seen multiple RC bars break. Frank serious is a very very honest person. He recommends the stuff he carries because he carries good stuff. I personally have the rubicon express track bar and it is awesome. I bought a 4.5 rc lift I have now replaced all the parts with rubicon express(which I purchased from serious) because they are junk compared to rubicon express. Trust me, spend a little more on the better product. Don't worry, I got your back frank

 

http://www.quadratec.com/products/16311_621.htm aside from the price, they are the same thing and are reputable.. its not a self promotion.. same to be said for the track bar. its quality.

 

My apologies, I didn’t mean any offense.
I’m new to this forum, but I’ve been around others for a very long time and have learned the hard way to be cautious when someone says “buy my product, it’s what you need.” I’ve been burned many times and now take the time to fully research any major purchases.
I’m going to take a look at the whole set up this week when I’m not working, and make sure to get some photos this time for reference. For all I know I already have an extended track bar installed with a mounting bracket. Like I said earlier I know nothing about steering components until now so I didn’t know what to look for when I picked it up.
I’m also going to bring it into my shop that I trust and have them look it over, and see what they recommend.
It sucks buying a car on Thursday and then having to work the next 3 days for 12hrs a day. I want so badly to just call in sick and try to get this all fixed so I can get it on the road.
Honestly, thank you for your advice. You’re helping out a stranger for free. No matter what advice people offer though, I’m going to double and triple check it with others before I start messing with things, or shelling out $$$. For every one person that says “this is the problem” there is another that will say “that guy’s an idiot it’s this…” If I can get a few people all agreeing, or hear it from my mechanic (my family’s neighbor when I was born, and has been very trustworthy over the years) then I will KNOW what to do.

 

I would recommend the Clayton Offroad track bar with HD bushing and bracket. I've seen an RE bar crap out as well.

I can't recommend Frank's (seriousoffroad) 1 ton steering enough though. You should put that on your list of upgrades.

Also at the OP, I wouldn't trust your mechanic unless he has experience with modified Jeeps. I have a mechanic that I go to for anything and he is always fair and treats me right, but I completely school him when it comes to the Jeep world.

 

CH45x7, with as much play as you have in the steering wheel long with the difficulties, it most likely is symptomatic of the steering box. With that lift you do need the other parts eventually. When diagnosing problems always start in the beginning and thoroughly eliminate each part of the system, no matter what system it is it has a beginning and an end. For the box: any amount of movement of the input should result in movement to the output. Turning the steering wheel will amount to movement in the input shaft of the box. (Direct) Which will amount to immediate movement in the output as seen at the pitman arm. Especially at rest, this should be light and easy on a flat surface.

Bird

 

The only thing that I would say in addition to this, I don't know what you mean when you said your XJ has a 1 piece tie rod. If you have an inverted T steering setup, sometimes the tie rod will roll instead of move left and right. You can solve this by removing the dust caps from the tie rod end and replacing them with hard rubber or polyurethane bushings... if not, don't listen to what I just said.

 

BigBird and KG- Thanks for the info. Now I think I know what I'm looking for. I will make sure to add photos and maybe video if I'm still having issues.

BigBird- I will start with the steering box. Besides being the beginning of the system, it seems to be an easy first attempt at a fix. Maybe I can just adjust it? Maybe it was adjusted out for some reason and never put back? Who knows. If I have to replace it I will start there and if the problem persists it's on to the next component in the system.

KG- by 1 piece I mean I've read that the stock tie rods could be 2 piece in a sleeve. The one on there looks like an aftermarket one already, fairly beefy in size. Again, I'll post the pictures so everyone has a better idea of what I'm trying to describe.

 

For what it's worth, I'm not planning on doing a lot of off roading (not a lot of places around where I live for me to do it.) There is some state land with some dirt roads around here, but it's about 2hrs to get to the land.

I bought this jeep because I wanted an XJ and this was the best body condition one I could find around here (western NY....lots of rust issues.) This one is rust free (surface rust in a couple of spots but amazing condition considering where I live.) The fact that it had the lift was a bonus. I don't need rock crawling tough parts, if I can afford them then great but I can't justify spending 2x's the $ on something if I'm not going to get full use out of it.

So far, every adjustable trackbar I've been able to find is, at the same time, the best one out there, and an easily broken piece of crap depending on who you ask.

 

Remember these are just my opinions but I would not get that one either. Its lower quality than the RE bar. I have the KOR TB and bracket.

The problem with most aftermarket brackets is that they are made from flat plate. By way of comparison, the OEM bracket is stamped which introduces considerable geometric stiffness and better load distribution characteristics

That's the norm for any part you ask about. I'm sure someone will stop by to bash on my KOR bar.

 

the problem with most track bars in my experience isn't even the bar it's self. It's the lack of the HD bushing that allows it to wallow out your track bar box on the axle.

 

UPDATE!!
I had the steering gear box replaced and an alignment done.
Jeep drives straight and turns right fine. The problem is in turning left. Small corrections are fine but to take a turn I have to turn the wheel 90 degrees before it seems the tire digs in and actually turns.
Best description I can think of is hitting a patch of ice and trying to make a turn on it. You turn the wheel but the vehicle keeps going then suddenly digs in.
I also hear a clunking sound from the front driver side wheel well. This could be chunks of mud that I haven't gotten cleared out yet from the previous owner though.

Any new thoughts?

 

if you have to turn the wheel half a turn before anything happens something is seriously ****ed. jack up the front end and try turning. what kind of steering box? parts store reman? those suck.

 

This^

Jack it up and have someone turn the wheel lock to lock and look for play.

What does it do in the half rotation of nothingness?

 

Yes it's a remanufactured one. I don't have the time to track down a Durango replacement one. No place close by has any that I could find.

I've jacked it up and checked for play, not fully knowing what should move how far, everything seems to be good.
When I had the alignment done last night I was told everything was good.
I dropped it off at a shop I trust and hopefully they will find the issue.
If it turns out to be a ball joint, tie rod end or some other bull**** I'm going to give the alignment shop holy hell for missing it twice now.

Any other possible solutions besides the steering box?