It only takes a little bit of play in the track bar to let the axle start wanting to dance back and forth; and a loose bolt can be enough. While that doesn't look like the worst ovaled out hole I've seen, it does look like it's been opened up some, which would be caused by a loose bolt; and as that hole opened up more, it would allow even more play in the track bar, further increasing your odds of death wobble.

I would say it's fairly likely this was the culprit; I would double check the axle side bolt while you're at it as well.

You could always try putting in a 9/16th bolt and see if that takes up the slack; that size should be snug and just squeeze through.

 

Okay I'll the 9/16th bolt. The axel side seems to be tight as my lift came with a new bracket. If the 9/16th bolt doesn't fix it, what's the danger in wallowing out to say 5/8? Would that even fit through the crush sleeve on the TB?

 

Ace is also making a reinforced bracket brace like synergy's. It's a bit cheaper, bolts to up with the steering box bolts the same way, and looks like it might not interfere with the driver's side spring as the Synergy model often does.

ACE JK Front Track Bar Support

 

I'd recommend welding up some washers, it's just a cleaner way to go, sticking with factory sized hardware.

A good track bar brace is a must if you're abusing your rig, JKS's is way overkill and awesome but can have clearance issues, the Synergy one is almost as strong and doesn't have some of the clearance issues.

 

From what I've seen, that Synergy brace has a ton of clearance issues....and it's because the tabs that stick out to accept their sector shaft brace. The tab rubs on almost every coil out there it seems.....cept theirs.

 

I just dropped it off at a 4x4 shop this morning and he's going to take a look at the track bar holes. I'm not sure if I'll have him fix it or not but it'll be nice to have his opinion. If I do decide to go the washer route, which size/ grade washer should I choose? Grade 8 9/16th?

 

One thing to consider when deciding which route to go.....washers will indeed reinforce that hole, but the various other brackets out there reinforce the entire bracket. Unless you can weld yourself, you might likely pay as much to have a shop welding on washers vs buying a quality bolt on bracket that you can put on yourself and gives you a bit more reinforcement. The washer route is a great fix for those that can weld themselves.

 

Well that makes sense. What's the best replacement bracket to dob the job?

 

I have the Synergy bracket. Back at the time they were the only one available. I had the sector shaft brace as well. When I ditched the SS brace, I cut off the tab on the TB bracket that was rubbing on my coils (and my previous coils). Ace started making a bracket recently (linked in my previous post), and it looks the same as Synergy's, but looks like the tabs by the steering box bolts might not stick out as far as on the Synergy. I have not seen one of these in person yet, but if I was buying one today, I'd probably try that one. It's a bit cheaper, and Ace makes quality stuff.

I'd reiterate again.....the reason the tabs stick out further on the Synergy brace is because their sector shaft brace attaches to it.

 

I said *less* of clearance the issues. The JKS brace not only has a huge sector shaft support along with the track bar brace, but runs a support bar all the way across the engine bay to the other side, making your choice of track bars and suspension configurations even more limited.

All that being said, if you can plan ahead to make it fit a sector shaft brace is not a bad thing.