Hi all,

I'm working on this lift install. Things were going well until it was time to do the adjustable track bar. It's the type (I'm sorry for the noob verbiage) where the end which attaches to the axle is threaded into the rest of the bar. So to extend it, you rotate it to unthread.

So, it won't budge! It's too short and I just can't get the damned thing to unscrew. I've sprayed what few threads are exposed with a lithium grease, but still no luck. Any ideas? Would letting it sit in hot water loosen things? Should I take it to an auto shop? I can't get a good angle to torque it... the one bit of success I had ended up breaking the bar I had put through the eye but did get it to turn slightly. Has anybody dealt with this before? I'd really like to avoid having to buy a new track bar.

Thanks in advance!

 

A picture or two paints a thousand words.

 

Good point...


This shows the end that won't rotate. I should be able to rotate the eye along the axis of the bar.


This shows the threading exposed. The jam nut was originally very snug against the bar itself and took a fair amount of effort to rotate it to expose the threading between the jam not and bar.

I've been able to rotate the bolt itself about 90 degrees, but that was using body weight and it's orientation with the rest of the bar allowed for it. Now I'm racking my brain for a good way to torque it more.

 

I would put a wet rag over the eye bolt and put a little heat on the outside tube. (heat gun or propane torch) Not so much as to damage the tube but enough to expand it.

Also, penetrating oil works better than silicon grease.

 

Soak it in penetrating oil over night. Is a breaker bar to stick thru the eye and attach the other end to the jeep or put it in a vise. A long breaker bar would allow you to grip on both sides.

 

I'll try that first thing in the morning. Thanks!

 

If the heat gun method doesn't work, I'll pick up some oil.

I did consider attaching the not-bad end to the jeep and then try to work the eye end, but I wasn't sure if it might damage the bracket on the jeep if I put too much torque on the eye. You think the Jeep could handle it?

 

I would soak the threaded area with pb blaster overnight. Then bolt the other end into the trackbar bracket. The I would turn that joint with an adjustable wrench around the outside of it. I think using a breaker bar inside the joint you are going to ruin that joint if it's as tight as you say. Just use a big ass adjustable wrench on the flats of the joint above where the threads end.

 

use a vise to hold the frame side of the bar and run another bar thru the eye of the joint. I would hit the bar with some heat as it probably was red locktited.

 

Hi all,

Thanks for all the suggestions.

I did try the heat. No luck. I haven't had a chance to overnight it in oil.

I had to hitch a ride to work today from my wife and we stopped by an auto place on the way. They worked on it and basically said it was shot... or I could have it "professionally installed". That's not happening.

So, since I need my jeep back running for this weekend, I've decided to overnight a new one. Here are the ones I'm considering:

Rubicon Express RE1673

Rugged Ridge 18205.08

I picked these two because they're the price I want to pay and could be at my place tomorrow at noon. Getting to the closest 4WP this week isn't an option because of scheduling conflicts.

Any thoughts on brands? I'm kind of leaning toward the Rugged Ridge.