G1625S

Anybody ever use heim joints on the end of a tracbar instead of the rubber mounted factory stuff? I've got a 2000 Grand Cherokee that will push the body from left to right well over 2 inches if you saw at the wheel while not moving on hard pavement....I can see the bushings in the trackbar squishing back and forth as the body moves relative to the axle. Before you ask, here's the list:

Trackbar--NEW Chrysler
Steering box and shaft--NEW Chrysler
Tierod ends--NEW Chrysler
Draglink ends--NEW Chrysler
Unit Bearings--New aftermarket
Ball joints--Not new, but can turn the knuckle w/1 finger w/tierod end disconnected. They are in excellent shape.

I'm at my wits end with this rig--I've gotta chase it all over the road and since I have a spare tracbar, I was thinking of welding some solid heim ends on and giving it a go....thoughts?

Redleg

Check out places like rubicon express for afetermarket off-road parts. They have pre fabbed track bars that are adjustable if you want to lift it ot non adjustable to stay stock. They eliminate the inept ball joint on the top of the track bar (mine is starting to clunk). I'm waiting for warm weather to get one, already have urethayne bushings for the control arms, might even go with aftermarket control arms. Standard heim joints will wear too quickly, the ones R/E use aren't the same as tracor supply, etc. They also offer a "flex-joint" that my understanding is they also wear, but are rebuildable, but strongest for any offroad use.

G1625S

Thanks for the reply! The WJ platform doesn't have the ball joint up top like the ZJ. Most places I've talked to don't offer a track bar for stock lift as the adjustable ones won't go short enough for stock springs. Bummer about the heim joints, I thought I was free and clear I still have the option to set fire to it, anyway

jbjarko

My Rockkrawl trackbar for my TJ uses heims on both ends. Those bushings suck.

G1625S

I wonder if tsc heims would be ok for a grocery getter like mine?

Need95-00CTD

Friends don't let friends buy Rock Krawler...

jbjarko

You're one of thoooooose guys eh? I just have the RK trackbar, but a LOT of folks run RK out on the west. May be different back east, but it works really well out here.

G1625S

All I need is a pavement krawler My wife looks like a drunk driver going down the road--it's that bad!

Redleg

So, I haven't looked under mine in this weather yet, just figured it was the same as my ZJ. Maybe you can cut the end of yours and order the heim style joint from them to thread on? I wouldn't use TSC, those seem like they would have too much play and wear too quickly. For automotive use, if it failed and somebody got hurt, might open some liability. Also the farm joints are gonna be a corse thread and might be a big pain to fine tune, if you find a shop that would even align it for you.

Gotlift01

I'm running a Krawler kit on my XJ and LOVE it! But I do agree their joints suck....I've never ran the joints that came from them, I just keep them as spares!

But anywhoo, if you want some quality heim joints, try the brand QA1...they make some sweet heims and come in either greaseable, or teflon lined.


~Nick