adjustable track bar needed with X codes?
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 1,727
Likes: 42
From: Almost back in TX biotche
It is now. I literally just had the truck aligned yesterday after replacing front shocks, tie rods, hub bearing, and end links.
Thread Starter
|
Tuned
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 287
Likes: 8
I've swapped two Ex's to X-codes, factory track bar on both. Didn't have any issues getting it back together, actually both trucks went like butter. Never had either aligned but there is no noticeable shift in the axle, no odd tire wear and tracks perfectly straight down the road. Should I have one? Maybe...but haven't seen any downside to the current set-up. The first one I did now has about 70k miles on that set-up, my current one roughly 10k.
Installed adjustable track bar, added just enough length so it would fit right in without wiggling the axle and guess what? Steering wheel is off center and axle isn't centered. Very strange. No alignment yet, so we'll see what they say when I take it in.
Tuned
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 318
Likes: 32
when I did my X codes from ATS I got the adjustable track bar and had to trim approximately 3/8" off of each threaded end.
FTE Remembers
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 8,259
Likes: 346
From: Northern California
Here's the interesting thing: I put it all back together with the stock track bar because the adjustable hadn't arrived yet. Took a little work getting the stock one to line up but wiggling the axle using the steering wheel helped. On the test drive, the steering wheel was level and axle didn't seem out of place.
Installed adjustable track bar, added just enough length so it would fit right in without wiggling the axle and guess what? Steering wheel is off center and axle isn't centered. Very strange. No alignment yet, so we'll see what they say when I take it in.
Installed adjustable track bar, added just enough length so it would fit right in without wiggling the axle and guess what? Steering wheel is off center and axle isn't centered. Very strange. No alignment yet, so we'll see what they say when I take it in.
did you actually measure the axle to confirm it is centered in relation to the frame ?
Seems to me if you went from stock ride height to a diffrent ride height and keep the axle centered your steering wheel should have to be in a diffrent location since you moved the distance between the axle to the steering box.
Thread Starter
|
Tuned
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 287
Likes: 8
did you actually measure the axle to confirm it is centered in relation to the frame ?
Seems to me if you went from stock ride height to a diffrent ride height and keep the axle centered your steering wheel should have to be in a diffrent location since you moved the distance between the axle to the steering box.
yeah I agree, every Jeep I've ever lifted, the steering wheel was way out until we got everything set.
I added about 3/4" length with the adjustable track bar so it would install easily but now the steering wheel is off. I'm taking it for alignment at a dedicated 4x4 shop soon, so they'll get it right.
Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 3,941
Likes: 240
From: Texas
Haven't measured yet. Eyeballed the amount of tire sticking out from the fender from above, looked pretty damn close on both sides.
yeah I agree, every Jeep I've ever lifted, the steering wheel was way out until we got everything set.
I added about 3/4" length with the adjustable track bar so it would install easily but now the steering wheel is off. I'm taking it for alignment at a dedicated 4x4 shop soon, so they'll get it right.
yeah I agree, every Jeep I've ever lifted, the steering wheel was way out until we got everything set.
I added about 3/4" length with the adjustable track bar so it would install easily but now the steering wheel is off. I'm taking it for alignment at a dedicated 4x4 shop soon, so they'll get it right.
Thread Starter
|
Tuned
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 287
Likes: 8
I know..that's why it was weird with the stock track bar and the steering wheel was level. With a lengthened ATB, now the steering wheel is about 30 degrees to the right.
Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 3,941
Likes: 240
From: Texas
Mine was weird as well. After the install with the track bar disconnected my axle was sticking out the passenger side 1 1/2” more than center and once I pulled my axle to center and installed the ATB it was all fine. After about two weeks and letting the suspension settle I added 2” Icon hamgers and shackles and a 4” rear block swapping out the stock 2 1/2” and the axle tried to shift towards the passenger side WITH the track bar the same length which goes against what everyone thinks should happen when you lift the front. Mine has finally settled and all is great. I just need to take it to the local old school alignment shop and get it all perfect so these high dollar tires last.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 6 Best Deals Available on New Fords & Lincolns Right Now
Brett Foote
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals
Joe Kucinski
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
|
Tuned
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 287
Likes: 8
Mine was weird as well. After the install with the track bar disconnected my axle was sticking out the passenger side 1 1/2” more than center and once I pulled my axle to center and installed the ATB it was all fine. After about two weeks and letting the suspension settle I added 2” Icon hamgers and shackles and a 4” rear block swapping out the stock 2 1/2” and the axle tried to shift towards the passenger side WITH the track bar the same length which goes against what everyone thinks should happen when you lift the front. Mine has finally settled and all is great. I just need to take it to the local old school alignment shop and get it all perfect so these high dollar tires last.
Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,790
Likes: 24
From: Mount Royal, NJ
What track bars are you guys using that need cutting? which ones did not need cutting?
Last edited by housedad; Jun 13, 2018 at 09:20 PM. Reason: posted garbage instead of message by mistake
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 222
Likes: 5
From: Dalton, Ga
Anything is possible I guess. I bought the whole suspension from ATS and I'm guessing Jr knew which one to send me. I didn't add any lift other than the X code springs up front...shackles are new but stock height.
Thread Starter
|
Tuned
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 287
Likes: 8
FTE Remembers
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 8,259
Likes: 346
From: Northern California
i have never ever seen a formula but I am sure a geometry math wiz could make one.
My way, remove track bar - get vehicle at ride height - measuring from inside of tire to frame on both passanger and driver side. Center axle - measure track bar mount location = track bar length
hint.... ratchet straps may be needed to hold axle perfectly centered. And you may need to bounce on the front or drive it a bit to make sure you are at static ride height.
Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 3,941
Likes: 240
From: Texas
i have never ever seen a formula but I am sure a geometry math wiz could make one.
My way, remove track bar - get vehicle at ride height - measuring from inside of tire to frame on both passanger and driver side. Center axle - measure track bar mount location = track bar length
hint.... ratchet straps may be needed to hold axle perfectly centered. And you may need to bounce on the front or drive it a bit to make sure you are at static ride height.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pythagorean_theorem