We have the advantage of having a close friend who is a Jeep dealer service manager, so we can trust his feedback. He helps us out a lot.

We have a bad bushing on the front track bar, and the only real consequence is that it knocks when turning. But it really bugs my wife, and she's just about to take it on a long trip in the Sierras. Unfortunately the dealer was going to need about $550 to get a replacement track bar from Full Traction (apparently you can't get just the bushing) and install it. We told him to pass for now, as that's just a little rich for us.

Can anyone suggest a way to make my wife happy for significantly less coinage? (Yes, I get the obvious wise-ass reply to thus question).

 

He's a 'good' friend of yours?
Wonder what your bad friends would charge you...

$210 for a brand spankin new Full traction trackbar. Two bolts and all of 10 minutes for the install.
http://www.quadratec.com/products/pr...ack+Bars&c=128

Full rebuild kit direct from Full Traction for $85:
http://full-traction.com/detail.php?...TID=473&NOTES=

Amazing what you can find when you just look around a little, huh.

If you opt for a new trackbar, I would actually suggest looking into the TeraFlex Monster. Not sure if they are still running the replacement deal, but if so, you buy the monster and then chop up your current 'aftermarket' trackbar and send it to them, and they will credit you back for $100. Awesome deal if they are still running it.

 

Umm, if you gotta bad bushing in the trackbar, you'd most likely have wobbling or floaty steering, shaking or full on death wobble. Did they show you the damaged bushing? Do a search for "clunky steering" You most likely have another issue.

 

I wouldn't do that until you get it fixed. The Jeep could suffer death wobble--you really do not want her to experience that.

 

I talked to a dealer yesterday about a trackbar. I'm guessing its the same one.

He said he had a trackbar bushing go bad and needed a replacement. I told him the bushing its self is $35.00. The guy said no we want to replace the complete trackbar. Retail on a new trackbar is $199.95.

I'm not sure if its the same dealer I talked to on the phone or not. Call me, $35.00 and you can replace this yourself very easy..
If its knocking chances are its out of grease. It may just needed taken apart, cleaned and greased...

 

$550 FOR A trackbar?!?!?!????

wow, there's a dealer you can trust

 

can anyone tell me how to fix the track bar bushing. i had someone steer my wheel back and forth and the bushing lets the track bar move. i have a bad case of death wobble now and im stuck in tahoe and have to drive back to socal.

 

Fix in emergency situations only: Partially deflate one of your front tires. This will make it act like your alignment is far off and make it pull to one side. This constant lateral pressure on the track bar should keep it in place. Obviously this is a temporary, emergency get-home fix. Keep your speed DOWN.

Otherwise you have to do what I did, as is described in other posts. There's almost certainly nothing wrong with your bushings; rather the bolts have gouged out their bolt holes and now have play in them. Buy a couple of heavy washers, and take them to an auto shop that will weld them onto the original bolt holes. This has been a perfect fix for me.