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axle not square

6K views 11 replies 6 participants last post by  jeepmutt 
#1 ·
i have a 98 tj with a stock dana 44 it as 1.5 spacers and 2 inch springs. it has 23 BFG Mts on it. the axle is not squre to the frame any more it has shifted too the right side about an inch or so, nothing seems to be bent. i replaced the lower arms with a diferent stock set same problem. i checked the frame for square and it is right on. so if the arms are good and the frame is good and the trac bar are good what would cause the axel to shift? This is also causing terable vibration due to u-joints at such a bad angle, i am not runing a S.Y.E. yet? any help would be appreciated
 
#3 ·
It is definitely the rear track bar. Black Diamond makes an adjustable one for about $120-$150. None of the 2" spacer kits mention the need for an adjustable track bar, but it is essential for safety and proper alignment. I had the same issue and an alignment shop told me I had a tweaked frame. They were wrong.

The rear track bar runs from the frame to the axle in a diagonal. The front track bar does the same, but the rear has a more pronounced effect from even modest lifting. When you increase suspension height, it is the same as if you put a shorter track bar in a stock height vehicle... it pulls the axle toward the driver side frame rail. If you are running stock wheels instead of ones that set a little wider, the tire is pulled dangerously close to the spring cup... think major sidewall damage.
 
#6 ·
Yes. You can live with the stock front track bar but not the rear. IMO it is grossly negligent not to offer a relocation bracket or an adjustable bar with the spacer lifts. The other thing the budget boost needs is longer sway bar links or quick disconnects. They are simply pulled too tight and will break under modest wheeling.
 
#8 ·
2 inch pucks really aren't going to bring your axle that far out of line that you need to worry about it. The example above is 1.5 inch spacers and 2 inch lift springs. That is where you are getting to the point of needing to factor in the additional trac bar relocation. (or just get rid of the rear trac bar and go with a three link rear) :D
 
#9 ·
The small spacer lifts will throw them off just a tad - keep in mind that the translation per axle is doubled as a whole over the vehicle due to the front and rear track bar pivoting on different sides of the frame.

With that said - yeah you can see if it you look at the tread of the tires, but it's not a big enough deal.

Anything bigger like 3"+ you will need a front track bar - you can get by without the stock rear since the joints pivot "with" movement and wont bind, however it pulls the axle over a good bit. Also - don't redrill you front track bar to center it! THat makes a weak bracket on the axle even weaker; just get a new one and call it good.
 
#10 ·
If you are not running wheels with backspacing that set out wider, the 2" spacer lift will bring a 31x10.5 so close to the spring cup on the driver side rear that you cannot fit a fingertip between them. Under articulation they touch. It is imperative to move them apart with either aftermarket wheels or an adjustable trackbar. If you go with just the wheels, you'll never get a good alignment.
 
#11 ·
thanks for all the help i wont be able to fix it for a while due to 80hr+ work and school weeks. the thing is when i bought the jeep in july it drove like is was brand new and it all of this stuff came on it when i bought it. so is it comon for the rear track bar to bend that much? i just need a temporary fix for now. fabing some thing is not a big deal i have almost unlimited resorces. at the end of november i will start my project which will be fabing up my own 3 link for the front and rear. so i wont even need this part after then. but i do have to drive it every day untill then. thanks agin
 
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