4.3LXJ
10-24-2013, 10:09 PM
It happens to a lot of us sooner or later. The holes on the axle track bar mount become oval instead of round. Then you keep getting death wobble.
http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu215/warriorsuspension/Pauls%20TJ/IMG_0583_zpsa3abda38.jpg
The only way to fix it is to add some steel. Here is a way to do that and make it so much beefier.
First take a dremel or die grinder with a cut off wheel and cut off the outside flange.
http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu215/warriorsuspension/Pauls%20TJ/IMG_0584_zps143de7c8.jpg
Then enlarge the original bolt hole. I used a 7/8" drill bit for this
http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu215/warriorsuspension/Pauls%20TJ/IMG_0589_zpscb844a50.jpg
Now you need to make a new piece for this space. I used some scrap 2X4X3/16" rectangular tubing, or you can use a small 3" piece of 2X2X3/16" square tubing. Cut off the excess 1 5/8" from the edge and mark it 1 1/4" from the factory edge and 1 1/2" from the end.
http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu215/warriorsuspension/Pauls%20TJ/IMG_0585_zps69045b03.jpg
Drilling a pilot hole is real handy for this. It is necessary to make this as straight as possible and the final hole has to be 3/8" so the bolt will fit tight in the metal and bushing.
http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu215/warriorsuspension/Pauls%20TJ/IMG_0586_zpse6a21760.jpg
The backside outer edge where the sway bar mount needs to be notched.
http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu215/warriorsuspension/Pauls%20TJ/IMG_0587_zpsd7d1c360.jpg
Next tack weld a nut on the back side. I used a self locking nut here. We don't want it to work loose again. Line it up with a bolt through both holes. This is a tack weld, not structural. It needs to fit in that large hole you drilled in the old bracket.
http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu215/warriorsuspension/Pauls%20TJ/IMG_0594_zps11c8747c.jpg
Next check the fit and weld it into place.
http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu215/warriorsuspension/Pauls%20TJ/IMG_0596_zpsb47842bd.jpg
Next, install the track bar. If you measured correctly, your steering wheel will be exactly as it was before. If not, it is easily adjusted to be centered again
http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu215/warriorsuspension/Pauls%20TJ/IMG_0583_zpsa3abda38.jpg
The only way to fix it is to add some steel. Here is a way to do that and make it so much beefier.
First take a dremel or die grinder with a cut off wheel and cut off the outside flange.
http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu215/warriorsuspension/Pauls%20TJ/IMG_0584_zps143de7c8.jpg
Then enlarge the original bolt hole. I used a 7/8" drill bit for this
http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu215/warriorsuspension/Pauls%20TJ/IMG_0589_zpscb844a50.jpg
Now you need to make a new piece for this space. I used some scrap 2X4X3/16" rectangular tubing, or you can use a small 3" piece of 2X2X3/16" square tubing. Cut off the excess 1 5/8" from the edge and mark it 1 1/4" from the factory edge and 1 1/2" from the end.
http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu215/warriorsuspension/Pauls%20TJ/IMG_0585_zps69045b03.jpg
Drilling a pilot hole is real handy for this. It is necessary to make this as straight as possible and the final hole has to be 3/8" so the bolt will fit tight in the metal and bushing.
http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu215/warriorsuspension/Pauls%20TJ/IMG_0586_zpse6a21760.jpg
The backside outer edge where the sway bar mount needs to be notched.
http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu215/warriorsuspension/Pauls%20TJ/IMG_0587_zpsd7d1c360.jpg
Next tack weld a nut on the back side. I used a self locking nut here. We don't want it to work loose again. Line it up with a bolt through both holes. This is a tack weld, not structural. It needs to fit in that large hole you drilled in the old bracket.
http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu215/warriorsuspension/Pauls%20TJ/IMG_0594_zps11c8747c.jpg
Next check the fit and weld it into place.
http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu215/warriorsuspension/Pauls%20TJ/IMG_0596_zpsb47842bd.jpg
Next, install the track bar. If you measured correctly, your steering wheel will be exactly as it was before. If not, it is easily adjusted to be centered again