I am going to be changing out my front springs on a 2012 JKU & was thinking about upgrading the lower control arm and track bar bolts. I don't have a problem with death wobble or anything, but since the bolts were off should they be changed out. What is the purpose of this?

 

There are a lot of people who will try to sell you on fear, uncertainty and doubt and tell you need to do this but, I've never done it and personally, wouldn't waste your money. But hey, that's just me.

 

Apparently Chrysler decided to use 14mm bolts to fasten our 9/16" suspension parts, so theoretically, being as the bolts are smaller in diameter than the corresponding holes, they could cause wallowing which over time could potentially lead to drivability issues (DW).

I'll be working on my suspension here pretty soon too so I went ahead and splurged a little and got the NR4X4 bolt kit. I like the idea that the bolts will fit better and that they don't have threads all the way up.

 

I found I only needed to change my Track bar bolts, as they had wallowed out over time and was causing my DW.

Here is a couple pics of my TB bushings right before I installed the grade 8 9/16" bolts.








I just bought a new TB after using the grade 8 bolts for the last 12k miles, and they fixed the problem. But my bushings finally died.

All my control arm bushings still looked good, so I didn't spend the money to upgrade those. Just my front and rear TBs.

I got the bolts at a local Ace hardware store. Roughly $1 each, plus the lock washers, plus the locking nuts.

 

Thank you for the info gentlemen. I think i'll probably spring for the 9/16 bolt kit since I'll have the other ones off anyway.