Help with engine mount/trackbar bracket

[XJTodd]

Hey all,

Looking for some advise here...getting kinda frustrated by this. :smsoap:

If anyone remembers seeing my post about my cracked motor mount bracket, I could sure use some help on what to do here...

I basically had a buddy weld on a small (1"x2" or so) piece of metal with a hole in it to accomodate for the bolt right on top of where that crack is, then put the bolt through and tightened it all down. This was in attempt to just secure the clamshelling of that spot and making the trackbar bracket move a little bit.

I don't think it really helped much, or maybe I have a different problem, but alot is leading to that general area.

The problem I have is when I turn my wheel to either side, I get random knockin/pinging noises that can be felt too. You can feel the vibration in the steering wheel of the 'pop' but it's not jerky. I had someone turn the wheel back and forth while I look for the culprit, and the best that I could come up with is that I can feel the 'pop' when I grab the trackbar or the trackbar brace, and those are the only things I can feel it on.

I'm now thinking of just replacing that motor mount bracket (possibly with one that has been reinforced a little) and and making sure everything is bolted down nice and solid, but I'm not sure I can do that sort of job myself.

Can anyone tell me what I'm getting myself into if I take that on? What's involved with replacing that bracket? Am I even going down the right path here?

I'm sure willing to get any other braces that someone would suggest, but I'm not sure what would help.

Thanks for anyone's help in advance!

 

[YELLAHEEP]

Goatman has it right. You need to put a sturdy brace across the engine compartment below the oil pan that bolts to the track bar bracket and then across to the other side of the unibody below the other engine mount. Rubicon Express makes one like this:

http://www.yuccaman.com/jeep/re1670.html

I believe this thread shows pics of what's going on with your rig:

http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=944510&highlight=track+bar+bracket+brace

- maybe a bit exaggerated, but when you're turning the tires, you're subjecting the dropped track bar bracket to some fairly hefty side to side, push pull forces. A brace like the one RE makes attaches to the track bar bracket and shares the torsional load across to the other side of the unibody.

I made one for mine after my RE TB bracket cracked and I haven't had any problems since. (I run 8" lift with 35's, high volume PS pump and a '99 Durango steering box).

 

[XJTodd]

So I'm assuming you are referring to this brace, right?:

If so, I checked that as well. I can feel the same 'pop' while holding on to it as well. All the bolts are tight on each end of the brace and track bar.

The noises were getting worse over the weekend, and I went back to check the bolt where I welded that piece to on the motor mount bracket. It was a little loose (was able to turn the bolt with a wrench pretty easily). I titghted up the bolt, and it definitely seemed to help the noises but didn't make them go away.

Is that RE brace still what I should be looking in to?

 

[YELLAHEEP]

I assume that's a pic of your rig and current set up? If so, then yeah, that's the brace I was talking about and you're good to go where that's concerned.

If you haven't already, take a good detailed look at the brackets on the axle end of the track bar and the bushing end of the track bar itself and see if the problem isn't a crack/worn part problem going on there. Could be translating the pop noise up the track bar into the unibody..... :dunno:

From my experience, the majority of guys aren't going to get the track bar bracket bolts/engine mount bolts tight enough using hand tools unless you put a breaker bar/cheater bar on them and give 'em a really good torquing. Guys running big lifts/tires have resorted to welding those parts in place to keep things from loosening up/breaking.

Do you have any flexing side to side of the track bar mount when turning? Mine flexes only the very slightest bit but I usually have to put a tire against curb/rock to get that to happen.

How much lift are you running? Give us the specs on your rig, lift and equip.

 

[XJTodd]

Yep, that a current shot of my rig.

While I was watching for any movement while the the wheels are turning, I 'think' I noticed a very tiny jerk of the trackbar bracket that coincided with the noise. It may have been my imagination, but that should tell you how small the movement is. I haven't tried it against a curb or anything but, I can certainly try in the next couple days.

As far as the rig goes...
2000 Jeep Cherokee Classic :
• Full Traction 6" Long Arm Suspension
• Full Traction M-Force Shocks
• JKS Quicker Disconnects
• 35 x 12.5 x 16 pro Comp A/T Xtreme
• 4.56 Superior gears
• AEV Argent Wheels
• Spidertrax 1.25" Wheel Spacers
• ARB Pre-97 XJ Bull Bar
• Hella 500 Series Fog Lights
• Hella Replacement Driving Lamps
• Bushwacker Fender Flares
• Kargo Master Bushman Rack
• Kargo Master Spare Tire Mount
• Kargo Master Hi-Lift Mount
• Gibson Cat-Back Aluminum Exhaust
• K&N FIPK II Intake
• Optima Red-Top Battery
• Teraflex Rear Disc Brake Conversion
• Alterstart 175A Alternator
• Currie HD drag Link /Tie rod
• Tom Woods Custom CV drive shafts
• HD Steering box

 

[YELLAHEEP]

LOL - didn't make the connection using your sign on name.... you had that rig for sale for a while didn't ya? Sure is a gorgeous rig.

Yeah, I'd say find a spot to bank a tire against and have some one push into the barrier while you watch the trackbar mount locations on the axle and frame. Probably will reveal the problem.

 

[XJTodd]

Actually, I'm the new owner. I bought this from the guy selling it knowing that it had the small crack in that bracket, and was willing to get it fixed.

I'm hoping that this issue is something simple here. I'll try your recommendation and see what happens.

 

[XJTodd]

OK, so I did as you said, placed the tire against a barrier and tried turning the wheel to each side looking for anything that was out of place. I heard the noise but saw no strange movment in the bracket or at either end of the trackbar or brace.

Any other ideas?

Maybe I'm not seeing what I should be. Anyone out there willing to take a look at it? I can come to you if need be.

 

[Stang5lgt]

I can look at it.

 

[Stang5lgt]

Hey might wanna see if you can fit a bigger bolt in the hole that might take up the slack enough to stop the noise. Or you can take a drill and make the hole a little bigger for a bigger bolt. I am guessing the track bar bracket bolt hole is bigger now. So even if you replace the bushing it will still make that noise. If you need help with it let me know.

 

[XJTodd]

Good thought. At least I know what it is for sure now, and that it's not a showstopper. I've got a call in to Full Traction as well to see if I can get another bushing while I'm at it.

Thanks for the help the other day Stang!