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Front axle too far to passenger side

12K views 36 replies 10 participants last post by  jape 
#1 ·
I'm not sure exactly what lift is on my jeep, but if I had to guess I would say a pro comp stage 1 4" lift kit. I have stock upper control arms with angled non-adjustable lower arms, white shock with black boots that are only stamped "MADE IN MEXICO". It has a 1" TC drop and the front sway bars use a double 45 degree bend to offset about an inch.

This all started when I noticed my front sway bar was rubbing on the driver's side frame. I got new bushings and shoved it back and it seems of crept back towards the passenger side over the course of two-three weeks. So I looked at my front axle straight on and can visibly tell the passenger side tire is about 1.5"-2" further out than the driver's side wheel. So I measured my coils and got 16" in the front and 12" in the rear. No major coil sag. Upon inspecting my trackbar axle mount, I noticed there was two set of holes. The track bar is non-adjustable and is bolted to the set of holes closest to the driver's side.

From what I understand this is what the pro comp kit says to do. Obviously I can fix some of the axle movement by switching to the previous mounting holes and I plan to do so. My question is: if there is no more than some minute spring sag, why would my axle be so far over? My only guess is the PO(s) either did not have to relocate the track bar and it was done with out checking. I can also visibly tell that the coil buckets are off because of how far it's pushed over. I'm hoping I dont have to buy an adjustable track bar as I'm growing tired of fixing problems on this thing, but I will do it if it's a must. just looking to gain insight on any other possible causes.

Sorry for the novel, I'm an engineer, I have to explain my process.
 
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#2 ·
I'm not sure exactly what lift is on my jeep, but if I had to guess I would say a pro comp stage 1 4" lift kit. I have stock upper control arms with angled non-adjustable lower arms, white shock with black boots that are only stamped "MADE IN MEXICO". It has a 1" TC drop and the front sway bars use a double 45 degree bend to offset about an inch. This all started when I noticed my front sway bar was rubbing on the driver's side frame. I got new bushings and shoved it back and it seems of crept back towards the passenger side over the course of two-three weeks. So I looked at my front axle straight on and can visibly tell the passenger side tire is about 1.5"-2" further out than the driver's side wheel. So I measured my coils and got 16" in the front and 12" in the rear. No major coil sag. Upon inspecting my trackbar axle mount, I noticed there was two set of holes. The track bar is non-adjustable and is bolted to the set of holes closest to the driver's side. From what I understand this is what the pro comp kit says to do. Obviously I can fix some of the axle movement by switching to the previous mounting holes and I plan to do so. My question is: if there is no more than some minute spring sag, why would my axle be so far over? My only guess is the PO(s) either did not have to relocate the track bar and it was done with out checking. I can also visibly tell that the coil buckets are off because of how far it's pushed over. I'm hoping I dont have to buy an adjustable track bar as I'm growing tired of fixing problems on this thing, but I will do it if it's a must. just looking to gain insight on any other possible causes. Sorry for the novel, I'm an engineer, I have to explain my process.
Well through my experience, a shifted axle is due to the trackbar. In this case it is the front one so an adj front track bar is the fix. There are 3 high quality ones that once I save enough I'll be doing too. Currie, jks, and metalcloak are all adj and are beefy. I'm going with metalcloaks due to cost which is the cheapest if the 3, being $220 or so. Best of luck to you. It may be wise to take off all the lift components and get a higher quality kit. It. Sounds like they took a lot of shortcuts. Make sure you do some research on what/how things are supposed to look and compare them to your rig. It'll help a lot
 
#3 ·
I've done a fair amount of homework as far as what a lift should be composed of and how it needs set up. I don't really have the funds (well wife would probably set it on fire if I spent the funds) right not to get a proper lift kit that I could trust all components. For not its fixing one problem at a time. And I currently have a bent rim to be fixed.
 
#4 ·
That is highly unusual that the front axle is too far to the passenger side with a suspension lift. With the factory track bar in place, the front axle will be too far to the driver's side after a suspension lift has been installed.

Either there's an aftermarket front track bar installed that is too long, or you meant to say the front axle is too far to the driver's side. :)
 
#5 ·
Nope, definitely pushed towards the passenger side. The track bar mount on the axle either had the extra set of holes drilled unnecessarily and or an after market track bar that was too long. It seems odd though that a non adjustable track bar is included in a kit or that it doeant match up in a proper length.
 
#8 ·
Automotive lighting Bumper Room Automotive exterior Auto part




Automotive tire Tire Vehicle Car Automotive wheel system




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I know i dont have anything shown for reference but I tried to center the shot with the side of the body to show where the wheels sitv and too a picture of the track bar mount on the axle. Ill try and remember to get a picture of the track bar later or tomorrow.
 

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#11 ·
Try moving the axle side of the track bar back to the original hole. Hopefully it's not wallered out. That would move the axle back towards the drivers side. Remove bolt, have someone turn steering wheel until it lines up with original hole.
 
#12 ·
Sorry, here it is..

Auto part Vehicle Engine Suspension part Suspension




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Neglect the power steering leak. . Its not as fast leaking as it would seem therefore I haven't had the need to replace it just yet.
 
#13 ·
My next plan of action is to relocate the track bar to the original set of holes on the axle mount and hopefully it will get it back to where it needs to be. If there's no coil slag, I cant figure out what would cause it to be out of whack in the first place. Unless of course the lift was originally 4.5" but I know thats an odd ball size and my coils wouldn't have sagged exactly .5" each.
 
#15 ·
That's wierd looking at it. I agree, something might be bent but not sure from the pics.

Normally, with a lift like that, the axle will shift to the driver side. It does not make sense that you have it shift to the passenger side, let alone at 1.5"-2". Are you measuring to the fender flares? They can bend and be off for measuring. Try measuring from the frame to a common point on both tires, like a center tread. Make sure to measure to the exact same point and post back.

In the end, an adjustable track bar will solve your problem as long as there is nothing else out of whack.
 
#16 ·
That track bar is definitely not the OE one the factory installed, it was probably made for a much taller lift which would push it out towards the passenger side. Replace that track bar with an adjustable length and the axle will be centered as it should be.
 
#17 ·
I plan to see how it does in the original set of axle mounting bracket holes first as this is a free 5 minute fix. If it is still unsatisfactory an adjuatable track bar will be my next purchase. Ill update with results so as to inform anyone in the future with a similar problem. Thank you everyone for your help and insight.
 
#19 ·
Couldn't get the axle bolt to budge last night, I soaked it PB blaster and hopefully make some progress when I get home. If I can't, has anyone has experience with getting the bolt out. If it strip the head or nut I'm going to be forced to drill the head off and try to remove it that way which will no doubt be a painfully long process.
 
#22 ·
You might have to let it run for a couple of minutes, or even let it run for a couple of minutes at a time, several times. Keep dousing it with the PB Blaster, too.

If it still doesn't budge, try a little heat. Propane torches can be relatively cheap ($20 or so).
 
#23 ·
Let the engine run or the impact? I started to see some wear on the bolt head (yes I am using the correct size) and I don't want to strip the hex head. I don't have a torch and may need to get one. But the axle bracket has a hole only big enough to get an open wrench in there and taking a torch to it may prove difficult. How flamable is PB any how? Dont want to have to spray, clean, heat, spray, clean heat. Although that's still probably half as time consuming as drilling it out. .
 
#24 ·
I meant use the impact several times. I'm not sure how flammable PB Blaster is, but I don't think it will be a safety issue.

If you look at their website, it does say flammable vapors. I suspect you would be ok after letting it sit for a bit before applying the heat. The MSDS is available on their website. I know I've never had an issue with it before, but you never can tell.

Worst case, heat the socket with the torch.
 
#26 ·
If the bolt snaps it may not be so bad. I planned on drilling through the head pushing the bolt as far as I can into the mount and trying to cut it or drill through the cross section to break it. Again very time consuming efforts but my wife and I only have two vehicles and I cant destroy the track bar and wait for a new one to come. If the bolt snaps a little further back it could be in my favor. Either way I see no case where cutting the track bar will help.
 
#27 ·
UPDATE: measured the distance from the top of the wheel to frame and got 11" on the passenger side and 10" on the drivers side. I finally got the bolt out (thanks to PB Blaster). But when I moved it to the original hole I got 10" on the passenger side and 11" on the driver's side:facepalm: and I was not able to get a wrench in the tight spot to hold the nut and decided to leave the track bar in the re-drilled hole. I plan on getting the metalcloak adjustable track bar in the near future to fix the problem. Thanks again everyone for the advice.
 
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