Instructions for the Rubicon Express TJ Front Track Bar
The front suspension on a Jeep Wrangler TJ is designed to handle off-road terrain at slow or moderate speeds. At higher speeds or in challenging areas, the front end can become unstable to the point of being a danger to the driver and passengers. Rubicon Express manufactures adjustable front track bars that improve stability in extreme off-road situations. The bars are available through off-road accessory outlets, and installation requires basic automotive knowledge as well as mechanical aptitude.
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Things You'll Need
- Adjustable track bar
- 5/8-inch bolt/nut/spacer assembly
- Hydraulic or mechanical jack
- Socket wrench
- Open-end wrench
- Pickle fork bar
- Hammer
- Power drill
- 5/8-inch drill bit
- Torque wrench
Instructions
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1
Park the Jeep TJ on a flat level surface and engage the parking brake.
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2
Lift the left side of the vehicle with a hydraulic or mechanical jack to provide clearance as you remove and replace the front track bar. Omit this step of the Jeep has an accessory lift kit installed.
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3
Attach a socket wrench onto the bolt where the upper end of the factory track bar attaches to the mount on the vehicle frame. Attach an open-end wrench onto the nut as a backup. Loosen and remove the bolt and nut. Discard both.
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4
Remove the bushing bolt and nut at the opposite end of the bar with the socket wrench and open-end wrench. Save the bolt, nut and washers.
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5
Fit the forks of a pickle-fork bar between the end of the track bar and the bushing. Strike the end of the bar with a hammer to separate the bar from the bushing and remove the factory track bar.
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6
Set up a power drill with a 5/8-inch drill bit. Drill and enlarge the bolt hole in the mount at the frame.
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7
Position the bushing end of the Rubicon Express track bar against the bushing. Make sure the bar extends horizontally from the bushing, and the bend at the opposite end of the bar is pointing up.
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8
Connect the lower end of the bar at the bushing using the saved washers, bolt and nut. Attach the open-end wrench onto the nut as a backup. Tighten the bolt to 55 ft. lbs. with a torque wrench.
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9
Loosen the lock nut on the sleeve near the upper end of the track bar with the open-end wrench. Position the circular fitting at the end of the bar at the 5/8-inch hole in the mount. Turn the fitting clockwise or counterclockwise by hand, as necessary, so it aligns with the 5/8-inch hole.
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10
Insert the provided bolt from the 5/8-inch bolt/nut/spacer assembly through the underside of the circular fitting. Fit the bolt through the 5/8-inch hole in the mount from below. Push the end of the bar against the face of the mount.
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11
Slide the provided spacer onto the upper end of the bolt above the mount and thread the nut onto the end of the bolt. Attach the open-end wrench onto the nut as a backup. Tighten the bolt to 55 ft. lbs. with the torque wrench.
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12
Tighten the lock nut securely with the open-end wrench. Lower and remove the jack.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Wear safety glasses when drilling and enlarging the hole in the mount..
References
- Photo Credit Bill Pugliano/Getty Images News/Getty Images
