4-inch lifted KK's: JBA adjustable track bar noisy?

lfhoward · **Posted:** Thu May 08, 2014 1:57 pm

Hey all,

There are enough of the 4-inch lifted KK's out there now to get some feedback on this. I have a 4 inch JBA lift. My rear suspension has been noisy over bumps ever since lifting, particularly at slow speeds. The clunking sound is coming from the adjustable track bar. The JBA track bar uses Heim joints rather than rubber bushings like the OEM track bar, and there seems to be some slop in the connection between the Heim joint and the unibody so that it clunks when moving side to side. Inside the jeep, the clunking noise sounds to me like it's on the driver's side, because this is where the bar attaches to the unibody (the other end is connected to the rear axle). I have verified that the clunking noise is coming from the track bar by having a hand on it while a friend rocks the jeep from side to side. I can feel it and hear it. My mechanic agrees it is the track bar. Passengers in my Jeep for the first time ask me if it is safe! :oops:

I know it is, but it does get old.

So, for those of you running JBA adjustable track bars-- do you just live with the noise, or is there a way to quiet it down? If this clunking sound is not normal for the JBA track bar, I'd like to know too.

Some ideas:
1) My jeep was rear ended at one point before lifting, so perhaps the bolt that the track bar is attached to is not OEM and if it is a smaller diameter, it would explain the slop. Perhaps it is bent and was not replaced at the body shop.

2) Perhaps the track bar end is defective and the joint itself has too much play. JBA sells track bar end replacements for $20.

3) Maybe all your 4-inch lifted KK's sound like this? Let me know.

Texasrugby911 · **Joined:** Thu Feb 04, 2010 3:18 pm **Posts:** 196

I had this issue for a very long issue. I ended up purchasing the replacement JBA end links for the track bar. That quieted the clunking the clunking but not totally. I then checked the rear and realized the place where the shocks bolt to the axel were not shimmed properly. They would actually rotate and torque in place making the loud noise. I went to the local home improvement stores, bought washers and placed them on either side of the bolt inside the bracket. This seemed to improve the noise quite drastically. I still have slight noise, but not near as bad as it was. just my :2cents:

lfhoward · **Posted:** Fri May 09, 2014 11:58 am

Thank you, Texasrugby911. I'm glad to know yours has improved since you shimmed up your shock mounts. I updated the thread with a poll for people with the JBA track bar. I'm still interested in everyone's experiences and ways that you fixed it too, so please add text responses as well.

Bmxer524 · **Posted:** Fri May 09, 2014 1:01 pm

I voted because I wanted to feel like I was part of it.... :oops:

I'm keeping my eye on this thread though. Now that I have the coilovers the 4" kit is the next step. Probably gonna build my way there over time :twisted:

carlosburitica · **Joined:** Sat Jan 05, 2013 1:07 pm **Posts:** 309

i made my track bar and have 0 noise. better than jba IMO and costed me 120 to my door.
had to open the mounting bracket to accommodate the hi misalignment spacers.

the only part where you guys can get noise is from the spacers
now my kk came with 9/16 bolts but my friends ave 1/2 bolts so if you are using a 9/16 misaligment or cone spacer with a 1/2" bold you are going to get a clucking noise in there.

when i built mine i got 3/4 heims and 5/8" misalignment spacers, and ordered 1/2 and 9/16 spacers just in case.

the track bar end pieces that jba sell are not the best you can get them for less than $10 in other places.. you can get way better for less...

lfhoward · **Posted:** Fri May 09, 2014 5:04 pm

carlosburitica wrote:

i made my track bar and have 0 noise. better than jba IMO and costed me 120 to my door.
had to open the mounting bracket to accommodate the hi misalignment spacers.

the only part where you guys can get noise is from the spacers
now my kk came with 9/16 bolts but my friends ave 1/2 bolts so if you are using a 9/16 misaligment or cone spacer with a 1/2" bold you are going to get a clucking noise in there.

when i built mine i got 3/4 heims and 5/8" misalignment spacers, and ordered 1/2 and 9/16 spacers just in case.

the track bar end pieces that jba sell are not the best you can get them for less than $10 in other places.. you can get way better for less...

Bmxer, I put that fourth option there just for you! :-)r

Carlos, thanks for your input on how the ends work. If I understand you right, if the bolt on the KK is smaller in diameter than the heim joint, you need a spacer to fill the slack. If the spacer is too narrow, there is still room for movement in the joint, and hence the clunking sound. Am I correct? Do you have a pic to illustrate this for us? Also, where did you buy your spacers and heims for your homebrew track bar? It sounds like I might be able to fix mine by getting the right combo of new heims and/or spacers to go on the bar that are a better match for my bolt size. BTW, the JBA bar is beefy and good construction, but mine is just noisy. It may be that my bolt size is different from OEM because of being rear-ended and the subsequent body shop repair (which included a new rear axle).

Bmxer524 · **Posted:** Fri May 09, 2014 5:10 pm

lfhoward wrote:

Bmxer, I put that fourth option there just for you! :-)r

Everyone likes to feel like a part of something :CAMPING:

I'm probably one of the next KKs to be up in the 4" lift category. Once I get the coilovers in up front I can figure out how I'm going to get to 4". So for the time being, you guys can sort out the problems before I get to them :POPCORN:

lfhoward · **Posted:** Fri May 09, 2014 5:22 pm

Bmxer524 wrote:

lfhoward wrote:

Bmxer, I put that fourth option there just for you! :-)r

Everyone likes to feel like a part of something :CAMPING:

I'm probably one of the next KKs to be up in the 4" lift category. Once I get the coilovers in up front I can figure out how I'm going to get to 4". So for the time being, you guys can sort out the problems before I get to them :POPCORN:

It is super cool that you found a used JBA lift and bought it. (I felt like I was getting away with something when I bought Brian's lift kit!) You will love it. It's a great setup and both on-road and off-road handling will improve. If I can figure out this rear clunking and get the extended brake lines on, then it will officially be done. (until I can regear!!) Modding a Jeep is not for the faint of heart. :wink:

To get to 4 inches in the rear, you'll need the JBA 4 inch springs and a longer track bar to center your axle, with JBA 4 inch sway bar links and brake line extensions highly recommended for flex and better handling.

carlosburitica · **Joined:** Sat Jan 05, 2013 1:07 pm **Posts:** 309

lfhoward wrote:

carlosburitica wrote:

i made my track bar and have 0 noise. better than jba IMO and costed me 120 to my door.
had to open the mounting bracket to accommodate the hi misalignment spacers.

the only part where you guys can get noise is from the spacers
now my kk came with 9/16 bolts but my friends ave 1/2 bolts so if you are using a 9/16 misaligment or cone spacer with a 1/2" bold you are going to get a clucking noise in there.

when i built mine i got 3/4 heims and 5/8" misalignment spacers, and ordered 1/2 and 9/16 spacers just in case.

the track bar end pieces that jba sell are not the best you can get them for less than $10 in other places.. you can get way better for less...

Bmxer, I put that fourth option there just for you! :-)r

Carlos, thanks for your input on how the ends work. If I understand you right, if the bolt on the KK is smaller in diameter than the heim joint, you need a spacer to fill the slack. If the spacer is too narrow, there is still room for movement in the joint, and hence the clunking sound. Am I correct? Do you have a pic to illustrate this for us? Also, where did you buy your spacers and heims for your homebrew track bar? It sounds like I might be able to fix mine by getting the right combo of new heims and/or spacers to go on the bar that are a better match for my bolt size. BTW, the JBA bar is beefy and good construction, but mine is just noisy. It may be that my bolt size is different from OEM because of being rear-ended and the subsequent body shop repair (which included a new rear axle).

this site is your friend: http://www.qscomponents.com/
order:
1. Kit With 3/4 Cone Spacers (you need to tell the to send you 1/2 cones), Weld-In Bungs .250 & Jam Nuts (you can choose a bung for thinner wall, i tried .120 on the beginning and changed it .25 wall. that is basically bullet proof. http://www.qscomponents.com/KitW34Cone250Bung.html $68.30
2. need 3' of 1 1/2 dom tube. http://www.qscomponents.com/3Tube250.html $31.50
3. need a spacer reducers from 3/4 to 9/16
since they don't make those you need 3/4 to 5/8 and get reducer 5/8 th 9\16 http://www.qscomponents.com/34to12.html two of them $3

they can cut the dom tube ad TIG weld the bungs for $5 each side.

you need to tell them to make it 37" total length (center eye to eye) on the minimum adjustment that is the size of your stock bar.
total: with shipping +- $120 depeding on shipping.

you can choose solid rod ends or the economy ones and a thinner dome if you want and make it for lot less.

i will post a pic of my track bar tomorrow.

lfhoward · **Posted:** Fri May 09, 2014 10:15 pm

What I need to do is crawl under there with a camera and take some photos of the track bar mounts on the Jeep. I bet I am missing spacers. If so, this is an installer problem and not a JBA problem. Cone spacers go on the bolt on either side of the heim joint, correct? Or inside the heim joint if it is a misalignment spacer?

Carlos, if you could post a close up of the track bar joint installed on the Jeep, with spacers, that would rock.

Could somebody else photograph their JBA track bar joint too, especially if you are not getting clunking noises?

I'd like to compare the differences in the way they are mounted. Thanks! :rockon:

Bmxer524 · **Posted:** Fri May 09, 2014 11:22 pm

I might have to tell John to come back and check this thread out. Maybe he can offer some insight.

But I know that exact feeling. You beat me to Brian's lift lol. I literally sent him the text that night telling him I'll buy it if the sale with you didn't work out. And my only problem with the 4" springs is the fact that I'll get my rake back. I don't want that, and I don't think I can jack the front up enough to level it out. As of now, I know I'll need longer rear shocks, sway bar links, brake lines, and possibly the track bar. All depends on what I choose to do in the rear.

No sense in highjacking your topic. I'll send you a pm with everything I'm thinking about.

carlosburitica · **Joined:** Sat Jan 05, 2013 1:07 pm **Posts:** 309

just took this pics

sorry don't have one out to show what it did.

one thing is that my heim joints are 3/4 and jba are 5/8
i had to use a reducer spacer to make it 9/16 to match the bolt of my kk. now for some reason my friends kk had 1/2 bolts dont' know if that is a diference with the trail rated kks

used two cone spacers it was a little difficult to get them in. the misalignment spacers thAT I GOT were to thick and didn't fit on the kks frame

left was my first bar 1 1/4 dom .120 wall right hd 1 1/2 dom tube .25 wall (it weights like 15 pounds alone)
i did a stronger bar, i believe this part gets a lot of street and better to do it right.

installed passenger side. two cone spacers

drivers side

drivers side moved to the side

note that i installed the bolt backwards. to installed the other way i needed to list the car so it could to in between the spring and by doing that i was gong to misalign that original setting that i had.

i measured the distance between that wheel wall and the spring top mount and adjusted the bar until i got it even on both sides. i am taking the car to an aliment shop to do a precise adjustment and get a correct alignment

lfhoward · **Posted:** Sat May 10, 2014 4:07 pm

Carlos, thanks for these photos. They show amazingly well what is going on in the joint area when the joint is installed correctly. I can think of two reasons my track bar is noisy: 1) lack of cone spacers on the sides of the joint, or 2) a 5/8 in heim joint on a 9/16 or 1/2 in bolt leaves lots of room to move around. We are getting severe thunderstorms here, so my investigation will have to wait until tomorrow!

carlosburitica · **Joined:** Sat Jan 05, 2013 1:07 pm **Posts:** 309

this is what I basically have
is hard to find 9/16 hardware and that is why I went with 3/4 to 5/8 and them 5/8 to 9/16

just make sure your kk is a 1/2 or 9/16 bolt whe ordering spacers or just get both just in case

lfhoward · **Posted:** Sat May 10, 2014 6:59 pm

I have an idea. I'd like to rehabilitate the mounting of my existing track bar.

Assuming mine is lacking cone spacers and JBA's rod ends are 5/8 inch heims mounted on a 1/2 inch bolt, would this take care of the problem?
http://www.qscomponents.com/58to12hms.html
The 5/8 to 1/2 inch high misalignment spacers look like they have cone spacers already integrated into their design.

Now if instead I have a 9/16 bolt like you, I could go with 5/8 inch cone spacers and two 5/8 to 9/16 reducers, right?

carlosburitica · **Joined:** Sat Jan 05, 2013 1:07 pm **Posts:** 309

lfhoward wrote:

I have an idea. I'd like to rehabilitate the mounting of my existing track bar.

Assuming mine is lacking cone spacers and JBA's rod ends are 5/8 inch heims mounted on a 1/2 inch bolt, would this take care of the problem?
http://www.qscomponents.com/58to12hms.html
The 5/8 to 1/2 inch high misalignment spacers look like they have cone spacers already integrated into their design.

Now if instead I have a 9/16 bolt like you, I could go with 5/8 inch cone spacers and two 5/8 to 9/16 reducers, right?

first find out what heim you have on the jba. and what bolt you have then get a reducer and a con spacer. the hi misaligment spacer are to big and you wont be able to fit them on the kk track mounts specially the top one.. you need cone spacers for the kk even the cone spacers are a pain on the butt to fit and you may need to open the track bar mount a little with a pry bar or with the old track bar.

i you have the 9/16 yes. so just order the 4 5/8 cone spacers and 4 5/8 to 9/16 and 4 5/8 to 1/2 just in case. (they are few dollars a pair)

lfhoward · **Posted:** Sun May 11, 2014 7:11 pm

Thanks for the input. I went to measure today and I realized I need to remove the track bar to get accurate measurements, and I didn't have my tools. Is this a job I want to do with the Jeep on the ground or up on jack stands? It seems like it would be hard to line it up if the rear suspension is drooping down and putting tension on it. Thoughts? :?:

Thanks.

carlosburitica · **Joined:** Sat Jan 05, 2013 1:07 pm **Posts:** 309

need to be on the ground or with out the tires buy axle need to he jacked up on both sides.
all the weight of the car need to be on the axle

lfhoward · **Posted:** Sun May 11, 2014 7:18 pm

carlosburitica wrote:

need to be on the ground or with out the tires buy axle need to he jacked up on both sides.
all the weight of the car need to be on the axle

Thanks. Thought that would be the case. It would be easier with the tires off the Jeep and the axle on jack stands. I need a tire rotation anyway!

lfhoward · **Posted:** Thu May 22, 2014 7:34 pm

I'm going to get to this project sometime in the next week. Just wanted you all to know I haven't forgotten about it! :wink:

4-inch lifted KK's: JBA adjustable track bar noisy?

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