Track bar- Rod ends?

[Deadman 94 xj]

This isn't advanced fab I know, I just wanted to avoid some nonsense

I need to redo my trackbar due to some clearance issues. My question is, would it be better to use a solid joint (SF or JJ) at both ends?

Or is a bushing better at the axle side for dampening effect?

Thanks


The Trackbar will be 1.0" ID - 1.5" OD

Allthread and RE SFjoint/coupler at the frame side.

 

[JeepFreak21]

One vote for hard joints.
Billy

 

[Boostwerks.com]

One vote for hard joints.
Billy

X2. I just installed my TB with heims on both ends. It rides, and steers SO much better than stock. I have no noise, vibs, or ill effects.

 

[Deadman 94 xj]

Thanks!

 

[Jes]

Heims all the way.
They do wear out in about 20,000 miles, although when they're worn they are still tighter than rubber bushings.

 

[CanMan]

Heims all the way.
They do wear out in about 20,000 miles, although when they're worn they are still tighter than rubber bushings.

Perty much. 7/8" shank, 3/4" hole ones on my rig.

 

[Boostwerks.com]

Heims all the way.
They do wear out in about 20,000 miles, although when they're worn they are still tighter than rubber bushings.

Kevlar liner + seals it seals = a lot more life btw. I've had rod ends last well past 50K on other builds using this method.

 

[in4aride]

i just put in Trac-bar with heims...AWESOME!

 

[Deadman 94 xj]

I know everyone has said Heims. What would it hurt to run Johnny Joints or Ballistic joints instead? I like the fact that they're rebuildable. I run Johnny Joints on the long arms and I think it would be nice to keep it all the same.

 

[RCman]

I know everyone has said Heims. What would it hurt to run Johnny Joints or Ballistic joints instead? I like the fact that they're rebuildable. I run Johnny Joints on the long arms and I think it would be nice to keep it all the same.

I'll be running Summit Machine small flex joints, (Linky) which are similar to those. I feel that they would work the same way as rod ends, plus have the ability to rebuild them. I've yet to assemble and use the panhard so I'll leave me input to that.

 

[asp]

i'm going to be doing nearly the same thing as bill (RCman) and using a flex joint at each end. i see no reason not to use hard joints at either end.

 

[Begster]

I have Rubicon Express super-flex joints at both ends of my trackbar.

With the exception of having to change one of the balls on one end 3 times already, and one more time once I get a chance to work on it, I haven't had any problems with it. I built it back in July '08.

The changing the balls was due to the fact that I bought a coupler with the ball already installed, ready to go onto the threaded portion, but it came with a 10mm hole instead of 1/2" like the trackbar bracket. They then sent me a 9/16" ball which slipped past me until after 500 miles of driving with it, the front end was really loose (completely fine and tight for the 500 mile gear break in period though). They then sent me a 1/2" hole ball, but has terrible tolerances, so the 1/2" bolt still moves around in there.

 

[Deadman 94 xj]

I have Rubicon Express super-flex joints at both ends of my trackbar.

With the exception of having to change one of the balls on one end 3 times already, and one more time once I get a chance to work on it, I haven't had any problems with it. I built it back in July '08.

The changing the balls was due to the fact that I bought a coupler with the ball already installed, ready to go onto the threaded portion, but it came with a 10mm hole instead of 1/2" like the trackbar bracket. They then sent me a 9/16" ball which slipped past me until after 500 miles of driving with it, the front end was really loose (completely fine and tight for the 500 mile gear break in period though). They then sent me a 1/2" hole ball, but has terrible tolerances, so the 1/2" bolt still moves around in there.

I've replaced mine only because the track bar is binding on the track bar bracket brace (say that 3 times fast) during full stuff. It's an over the axle mount so it's close. All I did to install it was shorten the RE bar.

I should have done it right the first time.

 

[Deadman 94 xj]

I'll be running Summit Machine small flex joints, (Linky) which are similar to those. I feel that they would work the same way as rod ends, plus have the ability to rebuild them. I've yet to assemble and use the panhard so I'll leave me input to that.

I think at this point I'm just going to stick with Johnny Joints.
I'll look into those a little more. Summit Machine makes some nice stuff. Thanks.

 

[XJEEPER]

I'm using Summit Joints on mine and highly recommend them.