Trackbars: OEM, TF Bushing replacement, JKS, something else? Unicorns?

LoPo

LoPo

Caught the Bug
So I have a TF Gen 2 Front Trackbar. Seems that my frame side bushing is going out as I can get some movement in it when I turn the wheels side-to-side. TF sells a replacement bushing for $25. I've heard that pulling the installed one and installing the new one is a bitch. MTG was telling me that an OEM Trackbar can be had for ~$60. I've found the JKS one for ~$190.

My question is... is the OEM Tbar going to be fine and hold up? Is there really a benefit to the JKS? I'd spend the extra $35 to save myself the time and cussing while trying to press out the old bushing and press in the new one if I'm not gaining anything.
 
Sharkey

Sharkey

Word Ninja
If memory serves, EVO1 was running its OEM trackbar with no issues until this year's Vegas to Reno. I don't have to tell you how hard that rig is run. Seems like the OEM gets the job done.
 
wayoflife

wayoflife

Administrator
Staff member
LoPo said:
So I have a TF Gen 2 Front Trackbar. Seems that my frame side bushing is going out as I can get some movement in it when I turn the wheels side-to-side. TF sells a replacement bushing for $25. I've heard that pulling the installed one and installing the new one is a bitch. MTG was telling me that an OEM Trackbar can be had for ~$60. I've found the JKS one for ~$190.

My question is... is the OEM Tbar going to be fine and hold up? Is there really a benefit to the JKS? I'd spend the extra $35 to save myself the time and cussing while trying to press out the old bushing and press in the new one if I'm not gaining anything.
Click to expand...

What I can tell you is that I run a factory track bar on both my JK's and have been for quite a while now. It is what I prefer and it is what EVO 1 runs as well. Nothing wrong with the JKS track bar but I don't know if it's needed. The only thing I would recommend is that you get an older 2007-10 track bar as the newer ones have a spherical frame side joint and it doesn't seem to last as long.
 
LoPo

LoPo

Caught the Bug
Sweet thanks for the confirm!


Sent from my SM-N900V using WAYALIFE mobile app
 
OverlanderJK

OverlanderJK

Resident Smartass
LoPo said:
Sweet thanks for the confirm!


Sent from my SM-N900V using WAYALIFE mobile app
Click to expand...

Get the older style track bar. 07-10 not the newer one. The older one is better and what I had to switch to after getting play in my stock one.
 
Rebel JK

Rebel JK

New member
I found that replacing my OE TB bushings out was not bad if using the driver tool for the press to keep things centered. Took about 30 minutes to knock out the old ones and re press new set.
 
LoPo

LoPo

Caught the Bug
wayoflife said:
I'm pretty sure this is it: 52059983AC
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Cool thanks. :thumb: That's seems like a pretty hard part to source online from the usual suspects. :)

I'll have to make a few calls to see anyone can get it close to the price of 52059983AD. Seems this factory mopar parts site wants $150 for either model.
 
wayoflife

wayoflife

Administrator
Staff member
LoPo said:
Cool thanks. :thumb: That's seems like a pretty hard part to source online from the usual suspects. :)

I'll have to make a few calls to see anyone can get it close to the price of 52059983AD. Seems this factory mopar parts site wants $150 for either model.
Click to expand...

So long as the Crown one comes with clevite bushings on both ends, I personally wouldn't hesitate to run one. You could save quite a bit going that route. Of course, if you really want a JKS, I probably have one in my garage along with a host of other track bars I no longer use.
 
sjd78

sjd78

New member
I wonder why the design was changed if the old design is better? I have a 14 so maybe I should ask around locally and see if I can get someone's take off. :yup:
 
wayoflife

wayoflife

Administrator
Staff member
sjd78 said:
I wonder why the design was changed if the old design is better? I have a 14 so maybe I should ask around locally and see if I can get someone's take off. :yup:
Click to expand...

The addition of a spherical joint on the frame side mount was supposed to better as in it would offer less bind. The problem is, the joint just doesn't seem to last as long. The older style uses bonded rubber bushings on both ends and they last a lot longer.
 
JAGS

JAGS

Hooked
I picked up an extra stock trackbar some time ago. Guy included in a deal when I bought a BB I thought I was going to run. Re-sold the BB, put kept the TBar. Is there a way to tell what kind of joint it is and/or what year it might have come off of? Sorry to mini highjack LoPo, but partially on topic.
 
OverlanderJK

OverlanderJK

Resident Smartass
wayoflife said:
The addition of a spherical joint on the frame side mount was supposed to better as in it would offer less bind. The problem is, the joint just doesn't seem to last as long. The older style uses bonded rubber bushings on both ends and they last a lot longer.
Click to expand...

If the frame side joint moves it's the new style. If it's fixed it's the old style.
 
sjd78

sjd78

New member
wayoflife said:
The addition of a spherical joint on the frame side mount was supposed to better as in it would offer less bind. The problem is, the joint just doesn't seem to last as long. The older style uses bonded rubber bushings on both ends and they last a lot longer.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the explanation. I appreciate it!
 
silversurfer575

silversurfer575

Member
wayoflife said:
What I can tell you is that I run a factory track bar on both my JK's and have been for quite a while now. It is what I prefer and it is what EVO 1 runs as well. Nothing wrong with the JKS track bar but I don't know if it's needed. The only thing I would recommend is that you get an older 2007-10 track bar as the newer ones have a spherical frame side joint and it doesn't seem to last as long.
Click to expand...

Eddie,

Are you running factory front and rear track bars?

How many inches of lift do you have on the front?

How many inches of lift in the rear?

With the amount of lift you have, how much offset do you see on your front and for the rear axle?

THX in advance....
 
wayoflife

wayoflife

Administrator
Staff member
silversurfer575 said:
Eddie,

Are you running factory front and rear track bars?

How many inches of lift do you have on the front?

How many inches of lift in the rear?

With the amount of lift you have, how much offset do you see on your front and for the rear axle?

THX in advance....
Click to expand...

Yes, front and rear factory track bars. I am running ProRocks with EVO track bar relocation brackets and with the 3.5" of lift I have, the axles are relatively centered.
 
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