A little background info: 5" of lift. CAD brackets. Double shear track bar. Drop pitman arm. New steering box. Frame plated with 1/8" inside and out around steering box. New bushings in stock UCAs. Longer fixed length LCAs. New ball joints. New brakes.

Issue: There is a popping noise from front end over some bumps and turns. It is not every turn or bump, kind of intermittent.

I think the track bar bracket on the frame rail is moving around. I torqued the new frame mount with a torque wrench to factory specs. Cruiser has already told me to exceed the torque spec as the factory spec is too low. I am not sure what number to go to, I am hesitant to exceed the spec. I am planning to stitch weld the bracket to the rail. Weld approx 1" of weld on each side of the bracket. Place the welds in a way they will be easy to cut in the future if need be.

Has anyone had issue with welding the bracket to the rail?

 

So, you've already replaced the frame side bracket, yes?

I welded mine. No issues. Just do it, and if you already replaced with a new bracket, just weld it in and forget it. I used red loctite, torqued, then welded, BTW...

 

How many miles do you have on the welded bracket? Do you have frame stiffeners on that portion of the frame?

 

A few thousand, maybe...and yes I have stiffeners installed...I would NOT suggest welding if you don't have them installed. Get a set of fronts first, burn those in, and you'll have a more solid base.

 

You'd have a realllllly tough time welding that track bar bracket to the thin unibody. Definitely use stiffeners as your foundation. Lots more meat to weld to