Should I be worried?

SolarCool TJ

TJ Enthusiast
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Apr 16, 2017
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Fort Lauderdale, FL
I noticed this previously unknown "mod" while under the jeep today. Seems that the shop that installed my RC lift, failed to mention to me that the TB mount on the axle side was worn out/elongated. And were kind enuf to take it upon themselves to drill out a new hole about 1'' inch from the old one.

The TB is an adjustable from RC, and while there really isn't any noticable problems at the moment, other than the jeep having a 4'' RC lift on it

The question is...Am I looking at an "issue" that needs to be addressed ?
Do I even dare to to take it apart and see what the new hole looks like?
Was the the new hole even drilled out correctly? , or torqued properly?
Shit! for that matter were any of the lift components?

After all they were the ones to convince my stupid dumb ass to go with the RC in the 1st place.
And when they handed me back the keys, Of course the jeep was DOA as someone left something on and drained the battery. It was ridiculously toed-out, and pulling hard left, the axles weren't centered, the steering wheel was misaligned, and the new exhaust was leaking like a sieve from the incomplete welds.

Bravo! boys, Bravo! You guys are truly the salt of the earth. Oh, and I almost forgot, I can't thank you enough for the now leaky rear main seal that I had you replace for me as well. I couldn't have done a better job myself. Oh well, live and learn. In a previous life I would have gone full blown postal on their sorry asses.

Anyhoo...should I bring it to my local welding shop and have them weld on a new cover plate, front and back, and bring the TB back to the original location? And then what, drill out the new hole?, or have the shop pre-fab the plate with the new hole already in place, and then weld it up? Or should I just shut up, let it be, and have a few adult beverages?

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Wow... Talk about one hell of a shaddy shop. First they convince you to go with an RC lift, then they go and drill out this hole? Sounds like the typical 4x4 shop that dishes out advice based on nothing at all.

I'm not sure I would worry about it, but I'd still want to have that other hole welded up, and inspect the new hole they drilled out.
 
It does seem like a shoddy job of that shop overall, but I don't think the track bar bolt hole is anything to worry about at all, so long as the bolt is torqued correctly. I agree though, looks a bit like a poor overall installation to me.
 
Hole size on things like this is not critical, as per a thread from Mrblaine about bolt hole size vs torque and how it all holds together. As long as it is torqued correctly, the hole can be however large so long as the bolt and washer still have a good surface to clamp against. If you're curious about it, you can read more on his thread here. :)

https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/show-of-hands-hole-size-versus-fastener-shank-size.4021/page-3[/QUOTE
hehe..I'm fairly new to the forum, But I like this Mrblaine, he don't take any crap, and is quick with the slap down if something is obviously incorrect. I going to have to hit him up when it comes to upgrading my front brakes if I move up to 35's
 
Wow... Talk about one hell of a shaddy shop. First they convince you to go with an RC lift, then they go and drill out this hole? Sounds like the typical 4x4 shop that dishes out advice based on nothing at all.

I'm not sure I would worry about it, but I'd still want to have that other hole welded up, and inspect the new hole they drilled out.
Yeah..thats just it. Seems like welding a plate on the back side would be problematic, the front looks like easy street.
 
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Bastards..now i am really going to have to take it apart and see whats up with the factory hole. I mean if the factory hole is in good shape, why would anybody re-drill a new one?
 
If that is the factory location, what the hell happened in the past that made somebody re-drill a new hole in a new location, and then deform it?

I'd bet money that someone drilled that extra hole because they wanted to "relocate" the track bar without having to spend the extra money on an adjustable track bar.

In other words, they were cheap and lazy.
 
Drilling a hole where the other one is in your mount is for centering the axle after a lift if you don't have an adjustable track bar.
Derek..you are right, it kinda makes sense. I don't agree with it, I would have purchased an adjustable TB if I were the PO instead of re-drilling. thanx for clearing that up.
 
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I'd bet money that someone drilled that extra hole because they wanted to "relocate" the track bar without having to spend the extra money on an adjustable track bar.

In other words, they were cheap and lazy.
thanx guys...i feel better already. dumb ass me thought the relocated hole was the the factory position. Damn i love this forum!
 
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Yep, you could just weld that other hole up very easily. Someone didn't want to buy an adjustable track bar, that's all.
 
Derek..you are right, it kinda makes sense. I don't agree with it, I would have purchased an adjustable TB if I were the PO instead of re-drilling. thanx for clearing that up.
I can see why someone would drill a new hole, since a new hole is a hell of a lot cheaper than a new track bar, lol. :) I definitely agree though, an adjustable bar is a much better option!
 
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Bastards..now i am really going to have to take it apart and see whats up with the factory hole. I mean if the factory hole is in good shape, why would anybody re-drill a new one?

Weight reduction with jeeps it's all about weight reduction that one small piece of steel will make a huge difference... [emoji6]


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Speaking of shoddy shops....I went to another local 4x4 shop, just out of curiosity to see what they would charge me for just installing a 1.25" BL, A 1'' MML, and 2.5" OME coils and shocks. Guy at the counter says " what is a MML?" I explain it to him, and he says "we don't do that kind of work here" OK, strike one. Then he has the balls to to tell me that it will be $800 to do the BL, strike two. There is no strike three as they are already out. Swear to god, I'm gonna clear out the clutter in my garage and make the room to do the work myself.
 
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