Metalcloak's new Sector Shaft Brace?

[Rusty PW]

One of the first mods I did was to install a Steersmart's brace. With the brace, you are putting the sector shaft in a double shear mount. This eliminants the side to side movement of the sector shaft. In the rocks, you are putting a lot of side loading on the sector shaft without the brace. After breaking a steering box on my Power Wagon back in '09 in Moab. I have run with a brace.

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[bleda2002]

What size tires are you running? I don’t know that I would put a brace on for “improvement” more a matter of peace of mind. A sector shaft snap is up there on my list for really crappy trail fix. And the box movement- new bolts help- but the frame steel is still only so thick- this is where the movement is coming from- steel deflection, not bolt stretch.

The box movement came from them being aluminum boxes that the bolts threaded in to more so than the frame steel etc. I had the steersmarts trackbar reinforcement and sector shaft brace, the bearing lasted about 10K miles before it went to shit and i took it off. Havent looked back since and no worse for wear although I do get the idea of bracing it for rock hopping.

 

[Burghardphotography]

I’m installing both the brace and reinforcement bracket on Monday, I’ll report back!

 

[Gren71]

What size tires are you running? I don’t know that I would put a brace on for “improvement” more a matter of peace of mind. A sector shaft snap is up there on my list for really crappy trail fix. And the box movement- new bolts help- but the frame steel is still only so thick- this is where the movement is coming from- steel deflection, not bolt stretch.

Id have to double check but I think part of the problem was that the aluminum box and old bolts were moving. And there’s not supposed to be any movement after the TSB for the steel box. But I could be way wrong.

As far as the synergy setup, early on a lot of guys got it more for the steering box stabilization than the actual actual sector shaft reinforcement. Since the newer models all have the newer box already im sure most newer owners are looking at them in the opposite and wanting the reinforcement more.

When i had it on i was running 35s for a while, followed by 34s for a bit before it came off. The version I had was the original one that was later identified to have an issue causing grease not to get from the zerk to where it was supposed to go. Which made it grind and bind.

 

[Pookie]

Just installed it, we’ll see how it does.

Please let us know your experiences. Looks like a cheaper alternative to Synergy or SteerSmarts. Installation looks a little easier too.

 

[Lunentucker]

Will this help reduce excessive steering play on the JT?

Not likely.
Adjust your steering gearbox properly and make sure you have +4.5 to +6 positive caster.

 

[Sduncan]

For a gas JT, the Synergy brace is easy to install. The newer bearing update seems to have solved any issues. I had bought one for my gas JT, but then sold the gas JT and got a diesel model. For the install, I carefully ground out the small gusset/bracket that’s in the way and it went on easily.
For bigger tires and especially if you’re on the rocks or similar, I’d use whatever brand you choose as long as it has the track bar brace included.

 

[Gladiator_92]

I’m just curious- why are folks choosing the metal cloak over synergy or steer smart??

personally I ram the synergy for about 20k miles on my jku before going to the psc big bore…. ?. That is unfortunately looking like it Won’t ever be a thing for diesel owners ?.

https://www.synergymfg.com/synergy-jeep-jl-jt-front-track-bar-and-sector-shaft-brace.html.
Both the synergy and the steer smart brace the sector shaft And enforce where the box mounts….. it must still be an issue as they both made this from the JKU to the JL JT platform….. the steering box will flex the frame where the box is mounted.
I don’t see how the metal cloak is going to provide that at all?? This is an upgrade that in my opinion is worth spending a bit more $$ on and fixing several issues with one solution. (My opinion)
The strength of the sector shaft is one problem, the track bar mount is a second, and the steering box flex is a 3rd. With steer smart or synergy you are fixing 3 problems with one upgrade. This looks like it’s trying to fix one…. And I say trying because the design doesn’t look the strongest in how the sector shaft is supported…..

It seems like a big advantage to the metal cloak is the mounting location. They say that their brace directs the twist force from the weak frame to the strong crossmember its mounted to. The synergy mount applies the steering force to the week frame area and mounting points. If you need track bar reinforcement as well, metal cloak sells a brace for that too.

 

[Burghardphotography]

I have been meaning to update this thread:

Had a reputable local shop in town install this brace. Unfortunately, it caused a bad creaking sound from the 11-1 position of steering, and kept the steering wheel from returning to center. The shop that installed it adjusted it twice before we decided to remove it. The tech said their instructions provided no torque specs or drilling template for the plate mount.

Unless there wasn’t some mistake here that caused the brace to behave like this, I couldn’t recommend it. @Metalcloak do you know what may have caused this issue? I really liked the design of this brace and I wish we could have got it to work. I’m running your track bar reenforcement bracket and love it, have no issues there.

 

[Sduncan]

There could be several issues.
1. The piece could have been machined incorrectly so when mounted and torqued down it created a bind on the sector shaft.
2. the shop tightened the fasteners “out of order”. There is an order that they should be torqued down, at least with the Synergy.
3. the piece that fits the sector shaft could be out of round causing the bind.

Just guessing because MC usually puts out good quality parts. Give them a call and see what they say.

 

[Burghardphotography]

There could be several issues.
1. The piece could have been machined incorrectly so when mounted and torqued down it created a bind on the sector shaft.
2. the shop tightened the fasteners “out of order”. There is an order that they should be torqued down, at least with the Synergy.
3. the piece that fits the sector shaft could be out of round causing the bind.

Just guessing because MC usually puts out good quality parts. Give them a call and see what they say.

I agree completely, I’ve always been satisfied with Metalcloak parts. I would have called them already, but we left on a month long backcountry road trip two days after we installed it! Probably should create a road trip thread if I have the time…

 

[XraytecH]

Glad I went with SteerSmarts

 

[BigG]

Please let us know your experiences. Looks like a cheaper alternative to Synergy or SteerSmarts. Installation looks a little easier too.

I haven’t had any issues with the brace. If you follow the directions the install is pretty easy. No regrets here.

 

[Lunentucker]

I have been meaning to update this thread:

Had a reputable local shop in town install this brace. Unfortunately, it caused a bad creaking sound from the 11-1 position of steering, and kept the steering wheel from returning to center. The shop that installed it adjusted it twice before we decided to remove it. The tech said their instructions provided no torque specs or drilling template for the plate mount.

Unless there wasn’t some mistake here that caused the brace to behave like this, I couldn’t recommend it. @Metalcloak do you know what may have caused this issue? I really liked the design of this brace and I wish we could have got it to work. I’m running your track bar reenforcement bracket and love it, have no issues there.

Metalcloak is notorious for sending bad instructions with good products.
The brace is the template.

 

[Gladiator_92]

I have been meaning to update this thread:

Had a reputable local shop in town install this brace. Unfortunately, it caused a bad creaking sound from the 11-1 position of steering, and kept the steering wheel from returning to center. The shop that installed it adjusted it twice before we decided to remove it. The tech said their instructions provided no torque specs or drilling template for the plate mount.

Unless there wasn’t some mistake here that caused the brace to behave like this, I couldn’t recommend it. @Metalcloak do you know what may have caused this issue? I really liked the design of this brace and I wish we could have got it to work. I’m running your track bar reenforcement bracket and love it, have no issues there.

Keep us posted on what you hear back if you hear from them. I am holding off on purchasing until I hear more review from people. Curious, could you clearly notice steering/general stability improvements in the jeep's handling from their track bar brace?

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