Front Track Bar Heim Joint Replacement

[Babygools99]

I noticed today that my Jeep was getting a little loose steering wise while i was driving. Long story short i've been squaring everything away and put in a new steering box, some seized tie rid ends, and worn out rear control arms. I did a dry steer test this morning and noticed that my front teack bar heim joint has play in it.PO had an adjustable track bar when purchased and I've done a bunch of research, but can't seem to be able to find any track bar that has a similar heim, so i don't know what track bar it has, or what type of replacement heim i could use. Does anyone recognize this track bar?

 

[Babygools99]

Still. O luck with any google search. No idea what Tb this is.

 

[Alex01]

I wonder if a RE heim would work??
KMX-L12

https://www.4wheelparts.com/p/rubic...0z0AH5C61BMDeW_vPIHUVG3tkP0ICoYxoCo1sQAvD_BwE

 

[Daryl]

Remove the worn heim joint and measure it. Buy a nice FK replacement.
http://www.fkrodends.com/products/rod-ends/heavy-duty-shank/hrsmx-t/

 

[BuildBreakRepeat]

Only replace it with an FK heim.

 

[Babygools99]

I wonder if a RE heim would work??
KMX-L12

https://www.4wheelparts.com/p/rubic...0z0AH5C61BMDeW_vPIHUVG3tkP0ICoYxoCo1sQAvD_BwE

I’ll more than likely have to get a digital caliper and take some measurements off of the Heim joint that’s on there. And then get the specs off of this one. If it comes down to it, I can just upgrade the TB. I’ve always loved making excuses for upgraded parts lol.

 

[Babygools99]

Remove the worn heim joint and measure it. Buy a nice FK replacement.
http://www.fkrodends.com/products/rod-ends/heavy-duty-shank/hrsmx-t/

Sounds like a plan! Sorry if this is a dumb question, but I looked at there measurements in reference to part numbers, and i’m not quite understanding every measurement. What measurements do I need to get from the worn Heim to correctly match an FK part#

 

[Daryl]

Sounds like a plan! Sorry if this is a dumb question, but I looked at there measurements in reference to part numbers, and i’m not quite understanding every measurement. What measurements do I need to get from the worn Heim to correctly match an FK part#

Start with the thread diameter & pitch. Then make sure the shank is long enough and the inside diameter of the bearing matches.

 

[Celticsfan]

My metalcloak front track bar has a heim like that. Mine seized up I reached out to them and they sent a replacement free.

 

[jjvw]

My metalcloak front track bar has a heim like that. Mine seized up I reached out to them and they sent a replacement free.

Same here. Though, mine actually just wore out and got sloppy very quickly. Great customer service makes up for a cheap, poorly designed track bar.

 

[BillNyeIsHigh]

I noticed today that my Jeep was getting a little loose steering wise while i was driving. Long story short i've been squaring everything away and put in a new steering box, some seized tie rid ends, and worn out rear control arms. I did a dry steer test this morning and noticed that my front teack bar heim joint has play in it.PO had an adjustable track bar when purchased and I've done a bunch of research, but can't seem to be able to find any track bar that has a similar heim, so i don't know what track bar it has, or what type of replacement heim i could use. Does anyone recognize this track bar?

View attachment 171065

View attachment 171066

Did you ever figure out which track bar this was and/or what spec you needed for the heim?

 

[Andy-WhiteTJ]

Did you ever figure out which track bar this was and/or what spec you needed for the heim?

Not sure but it looks like the SuperLift adjustable track bar

 

[RHanna]

Didn't want to start a new thread. I believe I have a rubicon express track bar and I need to replace the heim. Can I just replace it with a johnny joint like this one?
https://www.rockjock4x4.com/CE-9112N75L-14

has anyone done something similar?

 

[jjvw]

Didn't want to start a new thread. I believe I have a rubicon express track bar and I need to replace the heim. Can I just replace it with a johnny joint like this one?
https://www.rockjock4x4.com/CE-9112N75L-14

has anyone done something similar?

RockJock has a specific Johnny Joint for the frame side with one side of the ball trimmed to keep the bolt from extending lower than is necessary.

If that JJ does not work on the RE track bar, then find an FK rod end that is the better quality F1 fit.

 

[RHanna]

RockJock has a specific Johnny Joint for the frame side with one side of the ball trimmed to keep the bolt from extending lower than is necessary.

If that JJ does not work on the RE track bar, then find an FK rod end that is the better quality F1 fit.

The jj in the link I used is narrower than the current setup of 2” so I think I’m going to give it a shot

 

[drewtj05]

Do you know all the specs bore size, mounting width, thread pitch and diameter?

 

[RHanna]

Do you know all the specs bore size, mounting width, thread pitch and diameter?

From what I found (could be wrong) 3/4"-16 left hand for the shank and 5/8" for the bolt. My current width for the heim joint is right at 2" and the narrow body JJ I just ordered is 1.6".

This may not work out but we'll see.

 

[drewtj05]

Sounds like theoretically it should work with that one. I ran into this same issue with my MC trackbar because the joint kept failing and rattling. I ended up putting an EMF Rod Ends joint on it and have been very happy. I would recommend this but EMF has paused manufacturing on thier rod ends. not sure if TMR Customs could make a custom one for you for those specs if the JJ doesn't work. Only other best option would be getting a high quality heim like an FK, Ballistic, Ruffstuff, or Q1A. You could even put a heim joint boot on it which could extend the life as well as throwing some lithium grease on it before install. Keep us updated on if the JJ works.

 

[RHanna]

Well I installed the JJ
I had to screw the joint all the way down and had just enough left to turn the jam but maybe 1/2 turn. Replaced the bolt because I screwed up the thread on the original. I guess we'll see how it holds up. If it gives me problems I'll swap it out for a high quality heim joint. I disassembled the joint before installing to check the grease. I could tell they had already added but I just wanted to see how much was inside. I guess these narrow joints aren't the same as the regular JJ. My control arms have 2 piece bushings but this joint only has a single bushing. I might have to contact rockjock on how to maintain those.

 

[Kmck2003TJ]

I think the track bar from the original post is a Rubicon Express track bar.
I have one from Rubicon Express on one of my old jeeps that is identical to that. The bar joint and bolt are the same shape and size. I haven't been able to find it anywhere anymore either. I purchased sometime around 2013 for around 180$. I still have the Rubicon Express sticker that came with it. I assume they don't make it anymore.