Steering Knock
JK Super Freak
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 1,181
Likes: 2
anytime your trackbar bolt is loose I guarantee you will not make it 1/4 mile without experiencing death wobble.
JK Jedi
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 11,346
Likes: 2,086
From: Willow Park, TX
Although I agree with most of your comments, I'd submit it depends on how loose it is. I've had that axle side TB bolt just loose enough to start hearing a solid pop while turning (or cycling the steering) with no real effects on drivability. A couple of times as a matter of fact. It started signalling an issue well before being loose enough to cause major issues. The bolt took 1/8 turn to get back to 125 ft lbs torque....so wasn't that loose, but loose enough to cause a noise. Both times it happened I was surprised, but then I realized it started happening after shooting my RK TB axle side joint with fluid film like they suggest. Given that is penetrating, I figure it had been getting down in the threads and loosening things up.....kinda counter intuitive. That sucker has some thread lock on it now.
JK Super Freak
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 1,181
Likes: 2
Although I agree with most of your comments, I'd submit it depends on how loose it is. I've had that axle side TB bolt just loose enough to start hearing a solid pop while turning (or cycling the steering) with no real effects on drivability. A couple of times as a matter of fact. It started signalling an issue well before being loose enough to cause major issues. The bolt took 1/8 turn to get back to 125 ft lbs torque....so wasn't that loose, but loose enough to cause a noise. Both times it happened I was surprised, but then I realized it started happening after shooting my RK TB axle side joint with fluid film like they suggest. Given that is penetrating, I figure it had been getting down in the threads and loosening things up.....kinda counter intuitive. That sucker has some thread lock on it now.
Also, RK recommends red lock tight the jam nuts of all their control arms and track bars. I also am a user of fluid film on the joints.
JK Jedi
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 11,346
Likes: 2,086
From: Willow Park, TX
LMAO.....I def don't have one of those fancy double stabilizers, nor a pricey FOX. The first time that happened to me I had just left an off road park. Heard a strange pop but it wasn't happening regularly. After a bout 45 mile trip home it was popping on about every turn. Was easily duplicated while stationary in the drive and narrowed it down quickly. Second time it happened was after random driving. I had definitely loctited the jam nuts....just didn't really consider the mounting bolts. I tend to learn lessons the hard way......but at least the knowledge sticks with me after that.
JK Super Freak
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 1,181
Likes: 2
LMAO.....I def don't have one of those fancy double stabilizers, nor a pricey FOX. The first time that happened to me I had just left an off road park. Heard a strange pop but it wasn't happening regularly. After a bout 45 mile trip home it was popping on about every turn. Was easily duplicated while stationary in the drive and narrowed it down quickly. Second time it happened was after random driving. I had definitely loctited the jam nuts....just didn't really consider the mounting bolts. I tend to learn lessons the hard way......but at least the knowledge sticks with me after that.
JK Junkie
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 3,068
Likes: 116
From: Bunnlevel, NC
Heard that brother. I tack weld all my jam nuts, from my steering components to my control arms. Not only does it ensure they will not loosen, it takes the place of using a paint marker to draw a line across the tube-nut for reference points. Whenever I need to readjust it just takes the press of a grinder and voila.
