Front Track bar = Alignment?

[Goofatyerservice]

So when I installed the adjustable front track bar on my 01 (3" sus, 1" body, 1" motor) -- apparently I followed the directions incorrectly.
I ended up having to drill my own mounting hole on the frame side.

So I've been wondering-- if I take the time (and money) -- to pull off this track bar (chances are I'll ended up destroying the frame-side joint, but maybe not, you never know) -------

Anyway- if I pull off the track bar --

1) What's the proper way to set the length on the adjustable track bar- I know I have to make some box-diagonal measurements-- but WHERE...

and

2) Would I need to get an alignment? (I'm not too smart on alignments and all that affects them. I'd guess no but I've been wrong before. Once.)

[Knuckelhead]

Got a pic of where you drilled this hole?...

[Goofatyerservice]

I can try and use my camera phone and take a pic-- I think I"m the only person on earth without a camera... for a mental image- it's on the axle -- 1.5" maybe 2" from the original hole -- if you're facing the front of the jeep- it's about 2" to the right.

[Knuckelhead]

Originally posted by Goofatyerservice:

I ended up having to drill my own mounting hole on the frame side. Now I'm confused?...

[Goofatyerservice]

Originally posted by Knuckelhead:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Goofatyerservice:

I ended up having to drill my own mounting hole on the frame side. Now I'm confused?... </font>[/QUOTE]And with good reason!!


AXLE side. I drilled my own hole on the AXLE side.

[Knuckelhead]

If it's an adjustable track bar, mount it back in the OEM hole?...

[Goofatyerservice]

Right-- that's the plan. However when I recieved the track bar with my kit- the directions were backwards. Instead of install on axle, then install on frame. It was install on frame- then try and fit it on the axle.

So to reinstall it- I'll have to get it off the frame-- which is a pain. But I was wondering, once I reinstall it, will I need to do an alignment- I know the track bar isn't part of the steering- but I didn't know if the shift over would change other geometry enough to cause an issue

[Theta163]

It should just center your front axle. Just like a rear one would... Check your right rear tire and tell me if it sticks out a little further than the front..

[Knuckelhead]

Why do you have to take the frame end off? And yes, your have to adjust the track bar...

[Goofatyerservice]

The way the track bar is designed you adjust it BEFORE you put it on... I know..

clicky (http://www.full-traction.com/detail.php?MODELID=3&MAKEID=1&TYPEID=2&PRODUCTID=82&NOTES=)

So I'd have to take BOTH ends off, measure, make it the right length, and then put it back on.

So if I do -- YES or NO on the alignment? I agree- it just centers-- but didn't know if the weight change would do anything...

[Knuckelhead]

Just re-center the steering wheel by adjusting the drag link...

[Goofatyerservice]

steering wheel is center already. I guess no alignment

[Jeepin Dave]

Now, before I get flogged for mis-information, I dont have an adj trac-bar on my TJ. But this opinion below is based on my research from here and local boards and other TJ owners that have one.

I would think you could adjust the tracbar before or after you put it on. It should'nt really matter much, its adjustable for a reason. It might be a little harder to adjust once its on, becuase you have remove one end, but thats not to bad.

If your axle is not centered now, which I am assuming its not perfect as your having a need to be putting in an adjustable tracbar, than once you shift your axle over... you will need to recenter your wheel. If your axle is centered now, just take your measurments from the mounting locations of the new trac bar, not the old one, as the new one will mount differently. Take these measurments BEFORE you remove the old one off the Jeep as it may tend to pull to one side a little once you let it go.

I was told this way to set that axles centered. You can use a straight edge on the inside of both wheels and measure from straight edge to frame both sides and adjust accordingly. Make sure your wheels are straight and vehicle is driving straight. Not tracking or anything.

I dont see why you need to re-alighn the front end either.
I hope this helps you. Let me know if I am way off base here.

[Goofatyerservice]

No I think you're right. I don't think you'd need to realign either- I just wanted to be 100%

I doubt my axle is over very much- it's just that when I put the track bar on I had to drill a hole-- i HAD to have the project done immediately because I had a trip I had to take and that was my vehicle- it was one of those "it's 4am and I have to be on the road by 6. We are drilling" things.

The trac bar came with horrible directions that spoke nothing of measurements- I found out that method later.

The track bar is designed strange- I can't seem to adjust it without taking it off- the bend of it doesn't allow me to rotate it (it hits the axle and one of the links).

Jeep drives fine and looks pretty center- but I haven't measured. So this isn't "OMG I HAVE TO DO IT" but if it's something I could do pretty quick and not need alignment- why not.