Currie Front Trackbar Failed Me

[afusco1222]

I was working on raising my pinion angles to tune out some driveline vibes and I was test driving between adjustments. On my second test run, out of no where, my front end starts violently shaking and my steering wheel turns 180 degrees and I lose my steering. I slow down (luckily on a straight road) from about 45 mph and turn into a parking lot to find this.

The bottom of my Currie Johnny Joint fell out. The bottom half of the urethane joint was missing, along with one washer and c-clip. The trackbar is about 6 years old and I have not messed with it since I installed it. Here's another picture once I got home safely.

Not sure what happened but it wasn't fun. Does anyone know if this is the right kit to order to replace the joint? Has anyone ever heard of this happening? Trying to avoid this incident in the future.

https://www.morris4x4center.com/cur...Y0dK0MmSCWiUavJ3nmvrHH29OXvsbaPhoCD74QAvD_BwE
Thanks for the future help on this.

 

[HornedToad]

Oh dang. Is that the snap ring side? I am wondering now if that joint is snap ring side down and whoever assembled it didn’t get the snap ring in all the way. I have the same track bar and I’ll take a look at mine.

 

[afusco1222]

Yes. The snap ring side is facing down. Can’t believe it lasted 6 years with no issues if the snap ring wasn’t fully seated

 

[mrblaine]

Can’t believe it lasted 6 years with no issues if the snap ring wasn’t fully seated

Unless you can see evidence of over travelling the joint and blowing out the snap ring, washer, and groove, that has almost gotta be what happened.

When you install the new race, washer, and snap ring, hook the eye hole in the end and pull it around the groove to make sure it is seated all the way. You will be pulling one eye towards the other, not away from each other. Pulling towards the other eye releases just enough pressure that you can turn the ring in the groove.

 

[afusco1222]

Unless you can see evidence of over travelling the joint and blowing out the snap ring, washer, and groove, that has almost gotta be what happened.

When you install the new race, washer, and snap ring, hook the eye hole in the end and pull it around the groove to make sure it is seated all the way. You will be pulling one eye towards the other, not away from each other. Pulling towards the other eye releases just enough pressure that you can turn the ring in the groove.

I was hoping you would respond. I will do that trick with the snap ring when I order and install the kit. It’s the 2.5” JJ correct?
Also, I’m on 3.5 inches of suspension lift and I was driving on the road. How could I over travel the joint on road but not off-road?

 

[Jerry Bransford]

How could I over travel the joint on road but not off-road?

It worked up to coming apart and it just happened to happen on the road. If you had been offroad it would have happened there.

 

[afusco1222]

Is this a common problem? How do I avoid this in the future?

 

[mrblaine]

Is this a common problem? How do I avoid this in the future?

Very common if the snap ring isn't seated. The way to tell is to inspect the groove for damage. If it was over traveled and puked the snap ring out, there will be noticeable damage to the groove. If there is not any damage, then the likelihood of it being puked out is almost nil and it just wasn't seated in the groove correctly.