Rear track bar holes!!!!!

[sertshark]

Just installed 2" BDS springs. I've been reading posts on how to get the track bar holes aligned. I finally got the front in (with a ratchet strap), but I am having trouble with the rear. I've got it close, but now it's kind of twisted so the bolt is in halfway but won't line up in back. Right now, I have the TJ on jackstands (under the frame). I also had the floor jack just up against the axle, but I figured I was fighting against the jackstands and floor jack with both of them on the frame/axle, so I've been trying with the floor jack on the axle and without, and I'm losing steam. It is at the point were I can barely push the strap lever anymore, and I'm wondering if it might be better to put the stands under the AXLE instead of the frame. I've heard some people put the jeep on the ground. So, I need some assistance on what will actually work because my shoulders and back are about DONE.... On jacks, on the ground, jacks under frame, jacks under axle? I don't think jumping on the bumper will work because I just don't have the room to do it (I'm too close to the garage door lip.

Also, should I try to align the track bar holes LAST? Right now I still haven't attached the links yet (because I thought it would be easier to ratchet the axle over). So I'm wondering if that is part of the issue too.

 

[TheBoogieman]

Do you have a relocation bracket? I jacked up the axle on the opposite side until it was close enough to get a screwdriver in the hole, then pried it enough to start the bolt and tap it through.
p.s. You could've just turned the steering wheel up front. I've never used ratchet straps.

 

[sertshark]

Do you have a relocation bracket? I jacked up the axle on the opposite side until it was close enough to get a screwdriver in the hole, then pried it enough to start the bolt and tap it through.
p.s. You could've just turned the steering wheel up front. I've never used ratchet straps.

No I don't have one. I didn't want to have to figure out how to get the drill in there in that tight space. I got the front TB in, I'm having trouble with the rear.

 

[TheBoogieman]

No I don't have one. I didn't want to have to figure out how to get the drill in there in that tight space. I got the front TB in, I'm having trouble with the rear.

Use the big screwdriver method. It always works for me.

 

[sertshark]

Use the big screwdriver method. It always works for me.

As difficult as it is to move the whole thing over with a ratchet, I guess I figured sticking a screwdriver in there would be even more difficult to budge it over. Once you stick the screwdriver in there to line it up, doesn't it want to move back to where it was once you pull the screwdriver out? With the torx bolt halfway in right now, I worry about the whole thing shifting back once I pull it out....

 

[OldBuzzard]

With the frame on jackstands, I place the floor jack under the driver end of the axle and jack it up or down until the passenger side TB bolt lines up. Let the axle hang down on the passenger side.

 

[sertshark]

For anyone having this problem, here is what worked for me. Instead of fighting with it, with the jeep's frame on the jack stands, I realized I was fighting it too much, even with the axle drooped. I installed the sway links, shocks, and everything except the track bar, and then moved the jack stands to under the axle. That way, it was similar to the jeep resting on the ground (with wheels on). Quite a few people said they had luck aligning the holes with the jeep on the wheels and on the ground... Once I rested the jeep on the jack stands on the axle, rather than the frame, I attached a ratchets strap (once again) from the driver's side rear shock mount (lower), and the other end to the passenger's side frame (into one of the holes), and it didn't take more than a few ratchets, and bam, it was lined up. I had been pulling on that ratchet, and practically blew out my shoulder trying to get that thing over with the frame on the stands.. I think when the frame is on the jack stands, and ESPECIALLY if you have the axle on the jack, you are having the body and axle fight against each other. What you are trying to do is move the body over, which is why some people have luck pushing on the body to get it lined up.

 

[Tob]

Be very careful if supporting the vehicle from the axle housing with the track bar uninstalled. The control arms are not triangulated enough to give the chassis lateral stability.

 

[sertshark]

Be very careful if supporting the vehicle from the axle housing with the track bar uninstalled. The control arms are not triangulated enough to give the chassis lateral stability.

Eww.... that makes sense. Maybe thats why it might be better to have the jeep on the wheels and on the ground to do this.

 

[Tob]

Maybe thats why it might be better to have the jeep on the wheels and on the ground to do this.

Same story in that scenario. If the trackbar is uninstalled, the remaining linkage does not give enough lateral stability to prevent the body from flopping to the side. Can be a safety issue.