Instructions
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1. Before you begin the installation of your new Full Traction adjustable front track bar on your Jeep JK Wrangler, you will first need to determine how much your front axle has shifted over due to your lift. To do this, firmly hold a 2×4 up against the driver side front tire from the ground up making sure that it is aligned to the center of the wheel. Using a tape measure, measure the distance between the edge of your fender flare (or other pre-determined point like the spring perch) and the edge of the 2×4. If your 2×4 is making contact with a shoulder lug on your tire, be sure to make a note of it especially if the lugs are of different sizes or are located at different points along the edge of the tire and would influence your measurement. Repeat the process on the passenger side of your Jeep (again being aware of the shoulder lugs and how they might influence your measurements) and then calculate the difference between the two sides.
FYI: The Jeep JK Wrangler 2-Door we were working on had a Full Traction 3" Economy Lift Kit installed on it and we determined that the front axle had shifted over about 3/8". Also, if you do not have a 2×4 handy, you can use a carpenters level with a vertical level on it much in the same way. |
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2. Now that you know how much your axle needs to be corrected by, go to your workbench and begin assembling your new Full Traction adjustable front track bar by applying some white lithium grease to the 2 halves of the Vecton bushings and then install them into the end of the track bar. If the fit is tight, use a rubber mallet to pound or a bench vice to compress them in. |
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| 3. Remove the protective plastic sheath cover off the chromoly rod end and apply some anti-seizecompound onto the threads of it. |
4. Install the jam nut that is included in the hardware kit all the way on to the end of the rod end. |
5. Install the rod end with jam nut all the way on to the Full Traction front track bar arm until the jam nut makes contact with the track bar arm. |
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6. Apply a little white lithium grease to the track bar sleeve included in the hardware kit and insert it through the center of the Vecton bushings. |
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7. If you find that the track bar sleeve is difficult to insert, use a bench vice to help compress it in place as shown in this photo. |
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8. Remove the bolt securing your Jeep JK Wrangler’s front track bar to the front axle mount using a 21mm socket. This can be a tough bolt to remove and an impact wrench or breaker bar will help to make this job easier. Once removed, set aside the flagged nut and leave the track bar attached to the frame. |
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9. Using an 21mm socket and a crescent wrench, remove the bolt and nut securing the factory front track bar onto the frame mount of your Jeep JK Wrangler. |
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10. Based on the measurements we took at the beginning of this write-up, we determined that the front axle of our 3" lifted Jeep JK Wrangler needed to be shifted back over towards the passenger side by about 3/8". So, we unscrewed the rod end on the Full Traction adjustable front track bar back out until the gap between the jam nut and the edge of the track bar arm measured 3/8". Once the adjustment you need to make has been made, make sure that the hole in the mounting hole in the rod end is facing the same direction as the opposite Vecton bushing end and then secure the rod end in place by tightening the jam nut against the track bar arm finger tight. |
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11. Insert the 2 mis-alignment spacers that are provided with your Full Traction adjustable front track bar hardware kit. |
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12. Install your new Full Traction adjustable front track bar onto the frame mount of your Jeep JK Wrangler making sure that the bend in it is facing the appropriate direction and clears the differential. Then secure it in place finger tight for now using the factory hardware. |
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13. Use a crescent wrench to secure the rod end jam nut in place and make sure that you still have both misalignment spacers in place. With the engine off, put your key in the ignition, make sure that the steering wheel is unlocked and then have a friend turn it in one direction or the other until you can line up your new Full Traction adjustable front track bar rod end with the axle mount hole on your Jeep JK Wrangler. Secure the rod end in place using the factory hardware. |
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14. Using a 21mm socket, tighten your new Full Traction adjustable front track bar to the axle mount of your Jeep JK Wrangler to 125 ft. lbs. of torque. |
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15. Again, use a 21mm socket to tighten your new Full Traction adjustable front track bar to the frame mount of your Jeep JK Wrangler to 125 ft. lbs. of torque. |
| 16. Take your JK for a spin to work everything in and then repeat step #1 and verify that your axle is now re-centered. If not, calculate how much more or less you need to adjust your Full Traction adjustable front track bar, remove it from the axle mount, loosen the jam nut so that it’s just free of its grip on the track bar arm and then rotate the rod end in or out until it’s the appropriate length you need it to be. Repeat step #13 and #14 and check things again until your axle is centered under your Jeep. |
That’s it, you’re done. Your Jeep JK Wrangler’s front axle should now be centered under your Jeep.
Please let me know if you have any questions. |
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[…] Full Traction Adjustable Front Track Bar Write-Up […]
The track bar is a must, and in my case, a beefed-up tie rod to counter the added toe-in/out flex potential with the bigger tires. I had the classic “death-wobble” in my ‘01 XJ after a 3″ lift and 31’s. With the factory track bar/tie rod, my wheels were positioned about 1″ left of center, which was a poor set-up when encountering bumps at highway speeds. The adjustable track bar and tougher tie rod solved all of my woe.
[…] Full Traction Adjustable Front Track Bar Write-Up […]
I have problems correcting my steering at highways speed on bumpy roads, I own a 2007 sahara with a 3 in full traction econo lift
If you have the track bar relocation bracket installed, try removing it. I’m willing to bet that your ride will be better.