New to the forum and looking for ideas as to why I have bent 2 Teraflex HD forged drag links in the last month. 13 Rubicon 2 door, 2 1/2 inch lift, Synergy control arms and track bar, 2 1/4 inch bump stops.35 inch Mickey MTs on 4.5 inch back space bead locks.
No binding or rubbing that I can see when flexing the suspension. There are NO marks on the drag link. It looks brand new except for the bend.
The drag link bent the last time on the first waterfall climb of the trail. Near the top I needed to turn passenger but the steering felt locked. I did not lean hard on the wheel but backed down a few inches and then started the turn while crawling forward and cleared the top.
The front axels and Cs are stock and always try to not force a turn when under heavy side load.
I am totally lost on this and have not received help from Teraflex.
Thanks for any input.

 

Welcome to JKF. Strange that Teraflex is no help as of yet. Ours is mostly DD and light trail so I have not suggestions.

 

I have never heard of bent drag link except from trail damage. Do you have some piece of the suspension binding with it at some point in perhaps a lock to lock position? Reason I ask is my sway bar half (Rubicon) wrapped around backwards last trip and the SB link wrapped itself around the DL on a trail I had done many times with same setup. And my links were longer ones than stock, now even longer.

 

I really can't think I've seen anything like this off the top of my head. Hard to think the DL bent and the sector shaft survived.

 

Not an issue with the sway bar. My links are also much longer and do not come close to reversing.

 

I have a Synergy sector shaft brace installed.
Teraflex is replacing the link at no charge but they also have no idea as to the cause. The DL is failing in compression (turning passenger) with no forward motion.
I do not crank on the wheel when it feels locked. Jeeps design is weak due to the fact that the pitman arm is not pushing in a straight line at the passenger knuckle.
Do not trust the new DL on the trail.

 

No pics ? Would be good to see where is bending. I've seem them bending when pushed hard, but they're the stockers for the most part running rocky trails.

 

Crawling rocky obstacles is about all the rig does.

 

Like a lot of this stuff, it's move the weakest link around. With the sector shaft braced, that is currently the weakest link.....even though it sounds like you use your noggin and don't force things. Kinda shocking really to have bent two of them like that. Time for hydro assist .

 

Thanks for all then input. May have to give up beer for a year to pay for a ram!