Need to replace the track bar: is JKS a solid option?

[MikekiM]

PO installed a Rough Country adjustable track bar shortly before I bought the Jeep.. that would make it about four years old..maybe.
The axle side bushing is showing some fatigue. So, time to take action. I don't know if the bushing is serviceable and it's the last of the RC stuff that I haven't already replaced.. so I am inclined to just replace the bar with something better.

Research tells me the JKS bar is a good option for my use case. 2.5" SL. No heavy wheeling. Outer beach sand, dirt and rock fire roads. Mostly a daily driver with camping a few times a month. Looking for an option with serviceable bushings and US made.

https://www.quadratec.com/products/16007_002_07.htm

Better options?

 

[ResponsiblyReckless]

https://www.rockjock4x4.com/CE-9120TJS

 

[Andy-WhiteTJ]

You can replace the bushing: https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/track-bar-bushings-or-new-track-bar.63641/page-2#post-1153487

 

[MountaineerTom]

I’ve got JKS bars front and back with a 2-1/2” lift. No issues for me. JKS sells kits to rebuilt the bushings as well.

 

[bbaldwin237]

I’ve got JKS bars front and back with a 2-1/2” lift. No issues for me. JKS sells kits to rebuilt the bushings as well.

I was just checking out the JKS website and see that they now seem to have an HD front TB as well as the standard. I don't remember seeing that before (doesn't mean it wasn't there).

 

[gbirk]

I have the JKS front bar and a rear relocation bracket on a 2.5" lift. No issues with clearances or rubbing. I like it and it was not too expensive.
Lots of fire roads and and dirt trails with no complaints.

 

[Alatex]

Have JKS front and rear. Is the Currie / Rockjock probably better? Yes it probably is. Is the JKS a good option for most people? Also yes.

 

[bbaldwin237]

Have JKS front and rear. Is the Currie / Rockjock probably better? Yes it probably is. Is the JKS a good option for most people? Also yes.

This is so many things on here. For most people, the option that's 2-3x more expensive just isn't necessary. I plan to go JKS (for my needs and use) and at $50 per rebuild kit, I could rebuild the JKS about 4 times before I reach the cost of a RJ. Doesn't mean the RJ wouldn't be a better option, just saying. It's easy to forget that not everyone is crawling JV every weekend.

 

[BlueC]

I have 3" springs and JKS HD bars. I've had them on for 5-10K miles and have had no issues other than the front axle side bolt loosening, but I think that was because the instructions recommended too little torque. I twisted it tighter and all is well.

 

[MountaineerTom]

I was just checking out the JKS website and see that they now seem to have an HD front TB as well as the standard. I don't remember seeing that before (doesn't mean it wasn't there).

I’m not sure, I think it’s been on there a few years at least.

 

[lBasket]

I also have the JKS one. 2.5" lift no issues. Just grease it when you get it, mine was squeaky AF until I did

 

[bbaldwin237]

I’m not sure, I think it’s been on there a few years at least.

Must've just missed it somehow, reading is hard! lol

 

[squirrelmaster]

I have the non-HD JKS trackbar on a 1.5" lift. I just rebuilt it a few weeks ago for the grand total of $36 and a ball joint press rental from O'Reilly's. The previous owner of my Jeep put it on seven years ago and wheeled the Jeep hard, mostly on rocks, and it has held up fine (other than forgetting to grease it, which led to the rebuild). The RockJock bar probably would have performed a bit better, but I can't complain about the JKS bar, especially for how cheap a rebuild is.

 

[MikekiM]

You can replace the bushing: https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/track-bar-bushings-or-new-track-bar.63641/page-2#post-1153487

That's interesting.. The bar installed by the PO is PN 7572. Might be best to call RC to confirm if the bushings can be replaced.

I’ve got JKS bars front and back with a 2-1/2” lift. No issues for me. JKS sells kits to rebuilt the bushings as well.

I am still leaning this way.

Have JKS front and rear. Is the Currie / Rockjock probably better? Yes it probably is. Is the JKS a good option for most people? Also yes.

This is so many things on here. For most people, the option that's 2-3x more expensive just isn't necessary. I plan to go JKS (for my needs and use) and at $50 per rebuild kit, I could rebuild the JKS about 4 times before I reach the cost of a RJ. Doesn't mean the RJ wouldn't be a better option, just saying. It's easy to forget that not everyone is crawling JV every weekend.

Agreed. Can't think that spending twice as much, given my use case, is money spent wisely. I'm not knocking the Currie/RJ piece, just way overkill for my daily driver. If I can replace the bushings in the bar I have I may do that, and spend the extra $400 elsewhere.

 

[Rickyd]

That's interesting.. The bar installed by the PO is PN 7572. Might be best to call RC to confirm if the bushings can be replaced.


I am still leaning this way.



Agreed. Can't think that spending twice as much, given my use case, is money spent wisely. I'm not knocking the Currie/RJ piece, just way overkill for my daily driver. If I can replace the bushings in the bar I have I may do that, and spend the extra $400 elsewhere.

@AndyG used an oem bushing in his rc bar.

I had the same one and my only complaint was it bending slightly when I'd go beat on my jeep. If you aren't abusing it to the point your steering wheel is off center you might consider doing a new tie rod and bushing?

 

[MikekiM]

@AndyG used an oem bushing in his rc bar.

I had the same one and my only complaint was it bending slightly when I'd go beat on my jeep. If you aren't abusing it to the point your steering wheel is off center you might consider doing a new tie rod and bushing?

I have Currie CorrectLync tie rod & drag link. Stumbled across it NIB at a price I couldn't walk from. Here too, probably overkill for my build.

 

[Andy-WhiteTJ]

@AndyG used an oem bushing in his rc bar.

I had the same one and my only complaint was it bending slightly when I'd go beat on my jeep. If you aren't abusing it to the point your steering wheel is off center you might consider doing a new tie rod and bushing?

I did the same thing last year to my son's Jeep as he has the RC track bar. I did it based on @AndyG post. It was quite easy to do. New Clevite bushing and new Moog TRE and all is well again.

 

[Andy-WhiteTJ]

That's interesting.. The bar installed by the PO is PN 7572. Might be best to call RC to confirm if the bushings can be replaced.

That is the one my son had in his Jeep that I replaced the Clevite bushing and put in a Moog TRE.

 

[AndyG]

Every rough country front track bar I have seen will take a stock bushing

You can get a little bit firmer more definite steering response with the larger bolt and K7252 bushing- And I am of the opinion if anyone is running 35 inch tires and has power hydro steering beyond stock there may be some merit to the added strength the larger bolt gives you.

 

[MikekiM]

Every rough country front track bar I have seen will take a stock bushing

You can get a little bit firmer more definite steering response with the larger bolt and K7252 bushing- And I am of the opinion if anyone is running 35 inch tires and has power hydro steering beyond stock there may be some merit to the added strength the larger bolt gives you.

Found the bushing on Amazon.. $13.
I could use some help with the larger bolt. Is that what came with the 7572 track bar? If so, I may already have that.