WTF I snapped the bolt ! HELP

[JeepTJ38]

I had the bolt that holds my lower trackbar mount to the axle (well Bracket) Just shear and fall out !

I noticed my steering was kinda sluggish and pulled into a gas station and heard a ping. When I looked under the front of the car my trackbar was just hanging there ! I'll throw a new bolt in it tomorrow but any idea why this bolt would be so stressed that is would snap ?

I had just the bushing go bad in my TJ and it was crazy. Good thing I wasn't on the freeway !

 

[crimsonride]

I've never heard of that before, mine broke off when I tried to remove it to install my suspension. I had a hell of a time drilling it out.
Is it possible that whoever put on your new suspension used a different bolt less than grade 8?

 

[JeepTJ38]

possible on the grade 8 idea. I am going to make sure its the right grade this time. It's a metric bolt and a little harder to find in higher grades

 

[chadbuckner]

possible on the grade 8 idea. I am going to make sure its the right grade this time. It's a metric bolt and a little harder to find in higher grades

Come on wuss just zip tie it back on!!! you've driven around on worse things than that.......50 miles on a busted c clip axle without knowing it, hardley any oil in your rear diff, and a busted up exahust hanging down like a boat anchor!!

 

[mbryson]

I had that happen after a 65-70 mph drive through the median on I-80.......SUCKS.

I never found the bolt, so I'm not sure exactly what happened, but I learned EXACTLY why the trackbar is there.

 

[RockMonkey]

I had that happen after a 65-70 mph drive through the median on I-80.......SUCKS.

I never found the bolt, so I'm not sure exactly what happened, but I learned EXACTLY why the trackbar is there.

Man, I bet you drive through the median slower next time. Wouldn't wanna lose that bolt again...

 

[Caleb]

Just a possible reason, but what if the bolt wasn't tightened down all the way so there was a little bit of slack in the trac bar, the slack in the trac bar caused the bolt to see a lot of added stress from the trac bar sliding (sliding isn't a good word cause it prolly wasn't moving much) around and that combined with an improper grade bolt may have caused it to fail just a guess

 

[RockMonkey]

Just a possible reason, but what if the bolt wasn't tightened down all the way so there was a little bit of slack in the trac bar, the slack in the trac bar caused the bolt to see a lot of added stress from the trac bar sliding (sliding isn't a good word cause it prolly wasn't moving much) around and that combined with an improper grade bolt may have caused it to fail just a guess

I had that same thought, but wouldn't movement in the bolt cause an aweful lot of wear on the bracket before the bolt actually breaks? Could it be that the bolt was overtightened on istallation and basically broke, but just managed to hold together for a while?

 

[mbryson]

Man, I bet you drive through the median slower next time. Wouldn't wanna lose that bolt again...

I don't want to lose that bolt again........it sucked. I'll work on driving through the median slower.......(actually, I'll go out of my way to keep on the pavement).........Just an FYI. Napa in Evanston are pretty cool dudes. They had a bolt that would work and didn't mind me using their parking lot.

 

[mbryson]

I had that same thought, but wouldn't movement in the bolt cause an aweful lot of wear on the bracket before the bolt actually breaks? Could it be that the bolt was overtightened on istallation and basically broke, but just managed to hold together for a while?

Movement in the bolt would/does cause wear on the bracket and the bushing 'sleeve'........

 

[Caleb]

I had that same thought, but wouldn't movement in the bolt cause an aweful lot of wear on the bracket before the bolt actually breaks? Could it be that the bolt was overtightened on istallation and basically broke, but just managed to hold together for a while?

thats a good point, the slop in the bolt would wallow out the bracket pretty good I would imagine...could be the overtightening though like you said

 

[RockMonkey]

I don't want to lose that bolt again........it sucked. I'll work on driving through the median slower.......(actually, I'll go out of my way to keep on the pavement).........Just an FYI. Napa in Evanston are pretty cool dudes. They had a bolt that would work and didn't mind me using their parking lot.

I'll keep that in mind next time I lose a track bar bolt whilst attempting a 60 MPH traverse of the median in Evanston.

 

[mbryson]

I'll keep that in mind next time I lose a track bar bolt whilst attempting a 60 MPH traverse of the median in Evanston.

Don't you do that in Brenda's car?

 

[RockMonkey]

Don't you do that in Brenda's car?

Yeah, no jaunts through the median in the truck, owe too much on it.

 

[JeepTJ38]

Where can you get metric bolts in Grade 8 ? And why the hell is is metric anyway ! I installed a new bolt (grade 5) and had a freind turn the wheel and the bracket kinda moves from lock to lock. This is the tough country relocator bracket. Kinda worries me but all the bolts are tight. I might just have to ditch the bracket and pay for that adjustable track bar.

Ya chad, but that was the last trip for the TJ. I need this everyday, But i still zip tied it up to go to home depot

 

[chadbuckner]

Ya chad, but that was the last trip for the TJ. I need this everyday, But i still zip tied it up to go to home depot [/QUOTE]


thats what I like to hear! Never underestmaite the power of zip ties!!! :redneck:

 

[JeepTJ38]

Do you think not having the sway bar hooked up would put extra stress on the trackbar bolt. I havn't had my sway bar on since i lifted it and the extra body roll might be putting stress on the bolt. What do you think ?

 

[chadbuckner]

Do you think not having the sway bar hooked up would put extra stress on the trackbar bolt. I havn't had my sway bar on since i lifted it and the extra body roll might be putting stress on the bolt. What do you think ?

I think you worry too much just wheel the uh....sorry I forgot you don't have places to wheel....uh yeah Drive the piss out of it and if it falls apart just go buy a new one!!! :suka: