Hello guys,

Recently I had JKS steering reinforcement kit installed (Wrangler JK Front Trackbar and Sector Shaft Reinforcement Kit). After that the Jeep developed loud metal bang, when suspension compresses. After checking for the cause I found out, that top of the diff cover is hitting the front chassis brace/strut, added by the kit (my Jeep has stock Dana 44 axle and diff cover/all other front parts, aka trackbar, etc. are JKS spec too). After some googling I found out, that this issue is not uncommon (154 1204 05 Under Frame Fixins Front Track Bar Installed - Photo 35032424 - Jeep Wrangler JK: Common Problem Solving - Jp Magazine).

It would seem that this is rather a design problem and moving the chassis brace/strut 1/2” forward would actually solve this (would need a redesign of chassis brace connector however). Since JKS basically only requires you to have min 2.0” lift, but my car had over 3” (with Synergy springs) and now (temporarily) sits on 2.5” Teraflex BB pucks, the issue is definitely not caused simply by the unsufficient lift heigh (I have clearly more than the required 2.0”).

Based on the fact, that I am not the only person having issues with the kit (see the 4wheeler review above), does anybody know of any remedy to this issue. For the moment I am going to unbolt the upper bolt from the diffcover and grind a bit of the upper portion of the cover, but I fear that- while unhappy to do this at all – it might still not be enough… Any other suggestions?

 

Increase your bump stop. I know with all the synergy high steer juts they recommend 3" minimum bump stop to keep the frame from contacting the brackets.

sent from my work leash

 

You could also fabricate it so the bar is raised or you could buy some DOM tube and have it bent for clearance and replace the one that is there. That product is way over-engineered. Personally, I'd send it back and get something simple like the RSP brace.

However, as mattgt5 noted, add some bump stop and you're all set. I just hate taking suspension travel away for silly reasons.

 

Not going To loose suspension travel. I will rather remove the strut and leave just the brace. Its not possible to fabricate different strut, since its hitting right at the side, where the joint connects.

 

What diff cover do you have? Maybe a lower profile cover will fix it?

 

I'd agree. And the RSP brace may or may not go on without it's own set of issues but you'd likely be okay with a stock track bar.

 

Stock cover! JKS TB.

Anyhow, I ended up with removing the upper bolt from the cover, bit of grinding and adding 2" bumpstops (previously I had none, except for the sumo springs). So thats it, lets see how it works...

Cheers,