Trackbar and stabilizer fail

[vicsvx]

I have 21 eco sport s, 20k miles, 35s, mopar lift and developed steering slop after light offroad use on Xmas eve day. The steering is sketchy at higher speeds and made an appointment to get the steering looked at.

Initially, I thought it was the gear box needing adjustment as I read many threads about it on both jl/JT. Easy ebough to do, but since it's under warranty I wanted jeep to investigate.

The mechanic drove it around, had it in the shop for about an hour or so, and then I was told that the stabilizer and the trackbar are shot. He also proceeded to tell me That it's a common problem and he has three other appointments today for the same issue. Both parts are on back-order and he said that he's only allowed to order one a month of the stabilizer. Has anyone else ran into this issue? Or maybe getting smoke blown up my keester? It all would have been warranty work so that's good... But I didn't want to wait months driving a sketch machine and get the same parts that failed somewhat easy.

I ended up buying the mopar fox stabilizer for 177 shipped, clayton stabilizer relocation brackets 95 shipped and a jks adjustable trackbar for 277shipped. Upgrades I was planning on in the future but ya...Input about the failures?

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[ShadowsPapa]

I was told that the stabilizer and the trackbar are shot. He also proceeded to tell me That it's a common problem and he has three other appointments today for the same issue.

I question the "trackbar" being shot as a "common problem".
The steering stabilizer - well.......... those aren't great from day 1 but that's not causing slop or play in steering. The track bar can allow an axle to wander a bit - causing steering issues.
Sounds like he's mixing some fact with things I'm not sure are fact - but sound fishy.
Not heard of the "only allowed to order........" bit and that he's seen 3 that same day for the same problem? Really?

 

[vicsvx]

@ShadowsPapa i have read a both the stabilizer but since mine was doing fine it wasn't on a priority list. The trackbar I wanted to get eventually because my axle is off-center about and inch. But again wasn't a priority.

But I agree sounded a little suspicious... But I just wanted to get others input on the topic. I did talk to a guy with a gladiator setup similar to mine but a gasser at the dealership... He was in for the same thing. But I left without hearing what they determined his issue to be.

 

[FitfulGoat]

I have 21 eco sport s, 20k miles, 35s, mopar lift and developed steering slop after light offroad use on Xmas eve day. The steering is sketchy at higher speeds and made an appointment to get the steering looked at.

Initially, I thought it was the gear box needing adjustment as I read many threads about it on both jl/JT. Easy ebough to do, but since it's under warranty I wanted jeep to investigate.

The mechanic drove it around, had it in the shop for about an hour or so, and then I was told that the stabilizer and the trackbar are shot. He also proceeded to tell me That it's a common problem and he has three other appointments today for the same issue. Both parts are on back-order and he said that he's only allowed to order one a month of the stabilizer. Has anyone else ran into this issue? Or maybe getting smoke blown up my keester? It all would have been warranty work so that's good... But I didn't want to wait months driving a sketch machine and get the same parts that failed somewhat easy.

I ended up buying the mopar fox stabilizer for 177 shipped, clayton stabilizer relocation brackets 95 shipped and a jks adjustable trackbar for 277shipped. Upgrades I was planning on in the future but ya...Input about the failures?

Sounds like a whole lotta smoke to me. Not saying that they may not need replacement but a second opinion would be on my short list.

There are a lot of factors involved and it could be as simple as loose bolts on your steering box to blown out bushings. I would start by checking torque/tightness on all your bolts because I highly doubt that mechanic did much diagnosis let alone real work on the truck.

 

[vicsvx]

@FitfulGoat i did that before my appointment. Everything looked good and felt tight. Bushings look good. I didn't get to look at the gearbox because I didn't feel like removing intercooler tubes. If it was the gasser I would have looked at the gearbox, a lot easier to remove the air intake than the intcooler tubes ect.

 

[FitfulGoat]

@FitfulGoat i did that before my appointment. Everything looked good and felt tight. Bushings look good. I didn't get to look at the gearbox because I didn't feel like removing intercooler tubes. If it was the gasser I would have looked at the gearbox, a lot easier to remove the air intake than the intcooler tubes ect.

On my gasser the 4 bolts are right on/by the frame rail in the drivers side wheel well. I don’t have to remove anything to get to them. Same goes for the drag link nut.

 

[Lunentucker]

Get it back and put the aftermarket trackbar and stabilizer that you want on it.

 

[vicsvx]

@Lunentucker I already bought them, I mentioned it in my OP. I was just asking if anyone else had similar situations with the trackbar and stabilizer 'failing"

 

[Lunentucker]

@Lunentucker I already bought them, I mentioned it in my OP. I was just asking if anyone else had similar situations with the trackbar and stabilizer 'failing"

10-4. Yes. Numerous accounts of the OE stabilizer taking the dump. Seems the trackbar failure would be optically evident.

 

[scoobycarolanNC]

you have a '21 so you have the new steel steering box and I highly doubt there's any issue there. TBH you could drive without a steering stabilizer and there wouldn't be slop in the steering if all else was ok. The stabilizer just deadens any harmonic bouncing from one wheel to the other (which is what real death wobble is). It may kill bump steer a bit, but it won't kill steering slop.

The track bar is a hollow steel bar with bolts through it. they can't really go bad. They have. abushing in each side, but they are solid hard rubber. Do they look torn, off center, or anything 'bad'? You can compare the rear track bar bushings to the front if you're not sure. Now, if your track bar was loose THAT could introduce slop. It needs to be at around 125ft/lbs of torque. If you've been driving around with it loose for a while then the frame or axle bolt holes may have wallowed out and allow the bolt to wiggle no matter how tight they are and the could give you slop (ask me how I know lol)

Those new parts will definitely help. I have the same stabilizer and have run it on a JK, JL and now my JT. Keep an eye on the torque of your track bar bolts and check out the bolt holes when you change it. If they are oblong you need to get that corrected.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

It may kill bump steer a bit, but it won't kill steering slop.

That's exactly what it's for - bump steer. Not slop, etc.

The rest- well said.

 

[Jeeperjamie]

I got the fox stabilizer on mine and it made almost no difference over the stock stabilizer honestly. If you got your jeep dialed in your stabilizer isn't going to matter but I do feel like the fox stabilizer is a waste of money. I've got my stock one back on my jeep and when I first put the fox stabilizer on I thought it was pulling to the right a bit, not much but some. I guess I just got use to it over time because it definitely has been forcing the jeep to the right. I put the stock one back on about a month ago to see how rode and drove and the stock one felt better than the Fox honestly to me and I'm running 37's with 3-1/4 inches of lift. I am considering buying the TS stabilizer by Falcon to see if it makes any difference as far as taking some of rode feel out of the steering. As far as the track bar, those things will last a while I ran the one on my JKU for almost 4yrs and 70,000+ miles before finally putting a adjustable track bar on that someone gave me. The bushings on the end can wear out but on my JKU through 35's and 37's it never wore out and I beat the crap out it.

Also before anyone ask, I did prime the fox stabilizer by pushing it in and out a few times to break it in before putting it on and I also full locked it side to side a few times once I got it on before driving it. Pretty much a waste of $150, that's what it was when I bought it 2-1/2 yrs ago. I have been curious about the TS stabilizers though, my setups pretty good but taking some extra road feel out of the steering is always a plus. I would drive it without the stabilizer on once you put the track bar on to make sure you got everything dialed in. That's some advice I've taken from guys much older than me who have been driving lifted rigs for many many yrs with zero issues. They take those Bandaids off and dial the rigs in and then put them back on for extra comfort.

 

[In3briatedPanda]

I question the "trackbar" being shot as a "common problem".
The steering stabilizer - well.......... those aren't great from day 1 but that's not causing slop or play in steering. The track bar can allow an axle to wander a bit - causing steering issues.
Sounds like he's mixing some fact with things I'm not sure are fact - but sound fishy.
Not heard of the "only allowed to order........" bit and that he's seen 3 that same day for the same problem? Really?

IDK about Jeep, but Lexus is limiting quantities on some stuff for us too. I can only order three hitches a week. Really? IDK what the disruption is, but im seeing it at Lexus too.

 

[In3briatedPanda]

I dropped my 21 JT off today for my last jeep wave lof and rotate 9600ish miles. i added a balance and asked them to look at the steering shimy i get between 40-50 mph and uneven roads. after hitting a bump, the steering wheel oscillates back and forth until i slow down under 40 mph and it stops. if im over 50mph it oscillates a couple times and smooths out. I think i have a tire or wheel issue, but im expecting them to replace the stabilizer bc thats what is all over the internet. I hope they dont just throw parts at it. Ive commented this a few times on this thread, just sharing again bc its at the shop today.

I wrapped a 20 around the wheel lock with a note 'sorry for the 35s', so maybe ill get a little more effort out of them. I dont trust the shop next door (i dont really trust anyone to work on my vehicles to be fair but its warranty), but i have some buddies that work there and keep an eye out for me.

 

[vicsvx]

I think the steering box needs adjusted. The parts I was told needing replacement, I bet it was the half fast quick fix without actual diagnostics. But either way, things I wanted anyway.

But now is the wait... To see if the issue is fixed with new parts or, if I need to take it back in again.

As I stated earlier, I did look at everything and nothing looked abnormal. Everything was tight. Bushings look good. The only thing I didn't check or mess with is the gearbox adjustment. With the truck off, there's a lot of play in steering wheel. So I still think that's my problem

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