Track bar axle bolt :(
Thread Starter
CF Veteran
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,843
Likes: 0
From: NC
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 L
So removing my stock trac bar. Tried to remove axle bolt first, stripped the head. Decided to try to grind the head off then tap it through as much as possible, cut it from the back, then tap it the rest of the way. Well I think it's seized. It didn't tap anywhere. I think it might be under stress because the top of the tb is still attached. Just got top nut off before it started to rain. Anyone else encountered this?
These bolts break all the time I normally have them break at the nut. I try to soak it with PB blaster a day or so before hand and a good impact will help to keep from breaking off normally.
Thread Starter
CF Veteran
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,843
Likes: 0
From: NC
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 L
I think that I will sawzall between the axle mounts and the track bar bushings on both sides, yank old track bar out, beat out bolt remains. Just don't know if I can fit a sawzall in there or cut through the thick bolts lol.
Last edited by Jeepxj1234; Jul 10, 2012 at 06:45 AM.
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
From: Naples, Florida
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
I just did this a few days ago, very simple if you do it right. I used and angle grinder to cut through most of the bolt on the back side of the trac bar, I tried a sawzall but there is limited amount of room. 4.5 inch angle grinder is what I used. After that I just torched the bushings to melt them away and picked up a new set at advanced for like 20 bucks
Trending Topics
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
From: Naples, Florida
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
No problem, oh and if you by any chance cut through the spacer that surrounds the bolt, you may not be able to cut all the way, at that point just put the wheels back on and jump up and down on the hop a few times. Also to realign the bolt it's easiest to have the jeep on it wheels
The bolt was seized to the trackbar bushing.
Banned
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 516
Likes: 0
From: Southern Cali
Year: 1986
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 2.5L turbo, 4.0L tb swap, ported head ect
What about replacing the bolt? That stupid wing nut thing on the back sucks! Can I use a grade 8 bolt and nut/washer? If so size & length?
Thread Starter
CF Veteran
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,843
Likes: 0
From: NC
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 L
Well... I went and got some metal cutting blades for the sawzall and sat there and sawed on the top of that bolt for 30 minutes and seemed to have mad little to no progress. If it weren't for the little flakes of metal coming off, then I'd give up. I have to go do something now but will go at it again in a couple hours. Is there any better way? The grinder wheel was too thick to fit in there..
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
From: Naples, Florida
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Get a thinner blade, I have a skil angle grinder ad I bought the thinnest 4.5 inch blade I could find, at first it didn't fit but then I just flipped the tightening bolt on the grinder upside down and it worked fine, cut through it like butter


