My Very Own Custom Track Bar

Twicepardoned

NAXJA Forum User
Location
Belton MO
Well I've been having ALOT of problems getting the 'old' track bar to sit snug in the bolt hole and then I bought my new one and it ended up breaking the tie rod bearing... SO I had a thought... What if I cut the 2 track bars and welded them together to make a RE Replica.?.?.? =)
I guess the only thing would be to make the mount as well...
So I searched around the garage and found a couple pieces of steel bar and started cutting and welding...
I have a cheap welder so don't laugh =(

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One side should be able to rotate. The original had a ball joint on top to do that, the RE, IIRC, uses a Heim joint to accomplish that.

The problem is that the Suspension doesn't go straight up and down, it moves through an arc and you have to account for that.

Ron
 
I'll have to takea photo of it sideways, because there is JUST enough room that it does have some rotation, at least as much as the bushings allow.

Nonetheless, you are right and I do know that but considering I've been taking it to work for a few weeks now while my VW is down, and the death wobble is too much to deal with.

Luckily I only work about 3 miles away, so driving at 30 the whole time isn't so bad.

FYI I did take this to the property just after I got done and tested the flex to see how this held up and it appeared to have enough rotation
 
Is it parallel with your draglink?
 
That's a new one for me... Has something to do with the steering?
 
If your track bar and draglink are not paralell, you'll get bump steer.
 
Ummm.....not trying to pee in your Cheerios, BUT...

The welds "look" suspect.
You really need to better brace that top mount, and it looks thin.
You really need to take into account the massive forces that bar deals with, maybe you would be better off trying an "off the shelf" solution.

Just want you to be safe bro.

Rev
 
I certainly get it... This is not a Highway driver, again I work 3 miles away and even then I don't like using this vehicle for any road driving.

The welds are fine just a bit ugly, I have a crappy welder but I have almost perfected a good weld with a crappy welder! hahaha Can't wait to see the final product once I get a TIG.

This is a temporary solution because I was getting major death wobble and I have too much money wrapped into my VW... I am lifting another 4 inches, so I can't use this down the road if I wanted to.
 
Actually, for the best steering, the tie-rod and drag-link need to be both parallel *AND* the same length.

That top bolt also looks soft. You want a hard bolt there at least.
 
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