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Jeep Wrangler YJ
YJ General Discussion
Rear track bar bracket broken
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<blockquote data-quote="Gary747" data-source="post: 428445" data-attributes="member: 19207"><p>I love the "back and forth" on this, and of course, everyone will make their own decision. All I can say with absolute assurance concerning the rear track bar... when mine broke, the drive train was affected along with audible thumping during acceleration and braking. After repair, everything returned to and remains normal. (Maybe I should also re-spring the rear?)</p><p></p><p>2nd, I understand your axle replacement concern... I've no problem buying a 30 year-old axle as long as it is refurbished and has the track bar mount on it. Everything needs an occasional overhaul! My plan is to buy the entire remanufactured axle assembly for expediting reasons, but I would not be adverse to getting mine rebuilt IF I am satisfied that the track bar mount repair would be adequate.</p><p></p><p>Your comment on ride quality is interesting and I'll agree that removing the rear track bar does soften the damping stiffness of the rear suspension. I've determined for myself that substantial 1st order ride quality effects are primarily controlled through shock absorber selection. Surprisingly, the softer and cheaper, the better! No "Heavy Duty" shocks for me!</p><p></p><p>I also agree that XJ's don't have a "rear track bar", but they have a "rear sway bar" which attaches the rear axle to BOTH left and right frame members. Not identical but acts in a similar manner kinda like having TWO track bars. Interestingly, the XJ forums have discussions similar to this one... can the rear sway bar be removed?... with almost identical comments as those brought up here. It all depends on the owners risk comfort level and intended use for the vehicle, particularly if lifted. For me, I appreciate the stiffer lateral structural support, compliance with the manufactures intent, and geometry control. And not to be picky, while pick-up trucks don't have "track bars" that I know of, many, including mine, have "sway bars". The sway bars provide stabilization noticed mostly when heavily loaded and while towing. When light and empty, many feel that the pick-up rear end is too stiff. When my Lance Truck Camper is on the truck, that sway bar earns it keep. I took a trip with the sway bar removed and regardless of turning roll resistance concerns, I mostly noticed a great difference when driving in crosswind conditions. But, I understand, this is not much of an issue on a YJ Wrangler.</p><p></p><p>I have 402,000 miles on my 1990 YJ and keep it structurally stock. It has been my daily driver since 1999 and has let me down only once (the throttle cable broke at the floor pedal attach point). I take it "desert" off-roading, but not "Rock-Crawling" where articulation becomes an issue. My niece loves it with the top and doors off during summer, in fact she wants me to give it to her when she turns 16. The YJ is somewhat unstable at freeway driving speeds, so she won't get it for quite a while, unless I die, then I'll be buried in it. Every switch, lever, light, button and dial works as the designers intended. That's where I'm coming from. So I ask anyone reading this... What benefit would I gain by permanently removing the rear track bar on my YJ Wrangler?</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Gary747, post: 428445, member: 19207"] I love the "back and forth" on this, and of course, everyone will make their own decision. All I can say with absolute assurance concerning the rear track bar... when mine broke, the drive train was affected along with audible thumping during acceleration and braking. After repair, everything returned to and remains normal. (Maybe I should also re-spring the rear?) 2nd, I understand your axle replacement concern... I've no problem buying a 30 year-old axle as long as it is refurbished and has the track bar mount on it. Everything needs an occasional overhaul! My plan is to buy the entire remanufactured axle assembly for expediting reasons, but I would not be adverse to getting mine rebuilt IF I am satisfied that the track bar mount repair would be adequate. Your comment on ride quality is interesting and I'll agree that removing the rear track bar does soften the damping stiffness of the rear suspension. I've determined for myself that substantial 1st order ride quality effects are primarily controlled through shock absorber selection. Surprisingly, the softer and cheaper, the better! No "Heavy Duty" shocks for me! I also agree that XJ's don't have a "rear track bar", but they have a "rear sway bar" which attaches the rear axle to BOTH left and right frame members. Not identical but acts in a similar manner kinda like having TWO track bars. Interestingly, the XJ forums have discussions similar to this one... can the rear sway bar be removed?... with almost identical comments as those brought up here. It all depends on the owners risk comfort level and intended use for the vehicle, particularly if lifted. For me, I appreciate the stiffer lateral structural support, compliance with the manufactures intent, and geometry control. And not to be picky, while pick-up trucks don't have "track bars" that I know of, many, including mine, have "sway bars". The sway bars provide stabilization noticed mostly when heavily loaded and while towing. When light and empty, many feel that the pick-up rear end is too stiff. When my Lance Truck Camper is on the truck, that sway bar earns it keep. I took a trip with the sway bar removed and regardless of turning roll resistance concerns, I mostly noticed a great difference when driving in crosswind conditions. But, I understand, this is not much of an issue on a YJ Wrangler. I have 402,000 miles on my 1990 YJ and keep it structurally stock. It has been my daily driver since 1999 and has let me down only once (the throttle cable broke at the floor pedal attach point). I take it "desert" off-roading, but not "Rock-Crawling" where articulation becomes an issue. My niece loves it with the top and doors off during summer, in fact she wants me to give it to her when she turns 16. The YJ is somewhat unstable at freeway driving speeds, so she won't get it for quite a while, unless I die, then I'll be buried in it. Every switch, lever, light, button and dial works as the designers intended. That's where I'm coming from. So I ask anyone reading this... What benefit would I gain by permanently removing the rear track bar on my YJ Wrangler? [/QUOTE]
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Jeep Wrangler YJ
YJ General Discussion
Rear track bar bracket broken
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