Track Bar Bolts

[BSW520!]

Hey All,

just purchased Steer Smarts Yeti front & rear adjustable track bars. I seen where they offered 9/16 hardware for the front but nothing I seen for rear.
question 1. After seeing reviews on the steer smarts front bolts they have one bolt too long…is there a better option?
Question 2. Would the rear bolts be the same size as front ?

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[Vtur]

Yes. I used 3" long 9/16-18 for both front and rear.

 

[BSW520!]

Thank you for the info!

 

[Wheelin98TJ]

Do those bolts work with the existing flag nut and other nut, or did you buy new nuts?

No, stock stuff is metric.

 

[Desert_Gladiator]

Do those bolts work with the existing flag nut and other nut, or did you buy new nuts?

You'd need new nuts - the factory units are metric. I found that you can get an adjustable wrench up in there without much trouble, so you probably don't need to find anything with a tab like the factory ones - though you'll probably want to test that with whatever tools you take with you to be sure. I had one back out on me on the trail, so I keep a few spares and tools for it on hand now.

 

[BSW520!]

ACE didn’t have what I needed so I ordered a kit. $9 shipping sucks but it is what it is. Some say 3.5 is too long but I measured and there’s just enough room for a 3.5 on axle and the frame bolt is already 3.5.

This is what I purchased for the front and rear steer smarts track bars. I did them all except that dreaded axle side front. I got to find the right size wrench to go up in there and hold the nut.

Desert_Gladiator adjustable wrench? Like a crescent? I was having trouble with an open end wrench, but I will get it .. my ocd won’t stop until all are done..

 

[BSW520!]

So I just got my bolts and ran into the same issue. The bolt doesn’t hit the axle but my wrench won’t fit in the hole and if I use a box wrench it won’t be able to come out.

I see two options. Cut the bolt, or weld a flag on the nut. That’s what they should have done in the first place. Any help is welcome!

I agree and have contemplated trying to find a suitable flag nut

 

[WILDHOBO]

This is what I purchased for the front and rear steer smarts track bars. I did them all except that dreaded axle side front. I got to find the right size wrench to go up in there and hold the nut.

Desert_Gladiator adjustable wrench? Like a crescent? I was having trouble with an open end wrench, but I will get it .. my ocd won’t stop until all are done..

I have their track bar up front and can always get my open ended box wrench in there from the top.

 

[Hootbro]

Recently installed my JKS front track bar with 9/16" hardware and used a Craftsman 7/8" Crows Foot with a 3/8" drive breaker bar and got purchase from the top down on the axle side nut to hold it.

 

[WILDHOBO]

I dug through all my old wrenches and found this 7/8 that fit. Yay. I got the axle side to 130 ft-lb but I need to get a 7/8 deep socket for the frame side. There’s about 1/4 inch of clearance between the bolt and axle.

You can borrow mine anytime.

 

[GladLad]

1. Has anyone had issues upgrading to 9/16" bolts, such as the factory mount holes needing to be drilled out?
1a. Or not compatible with your aftermarket track bar? Still looking at my options.

2. Is accessing the nut side issue only because of the bolts being 3.5" long, or would the same access issue occur with 3" bolts? Hard to tell from the pics above, but a shorter bolt may at least allow a box end wrench.

Yes. I used 3" long 9/16-18 for both front and rear.

I take it you bought bolts a la carte, how was your nut side access procedure?

I agree and have contemplated trying to find a suitable flag nut

Did you end up looking for and finding a flag nut?

 

[RudeJeepin]

I'd highly recommend using fine thread bolts if your sourcing your own. Same with any other hardware that's suspension related.

 

[GladLad]

Related to some of my questions in post #11, about bolt length and flag nuts...

I just found this 9/16 bolt kit from Region Offroad, that includes a flag nut. They mention using 3.5" bolts as there's more unthreaded bolt portion to minimize bushing contact with threads. Comes in two set options, one is more appropriate for those using track bar braces.

All Grade 8, zinc plated, fine thread.

Two odd things though.
One, they say the flag nut is Class 10.9, which would be metric, so wouldn't be 9/16". But I'm guessing that's a typo, or just in reference to the flag portion of the flag nut.

Two, they include two lock nuts and a flag nut, when we should only need one lock nut and one flag. Likely just an option in case you don't want to use the flag, but sort of doubles down on obfuscating the first oddity.

Overall, looks like a good kit for what one would want.

I agree and have contemplated trying to find a suitable flag nut

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