I put a 2" boost on my '99 and had a case of death wobble, and after fixing the alignment it didn't go away. Turns out the track bar was worn, so I looked for an upgrade. I liked the double shear design of Iron Rock's but it's specifies 3" or more, so I sent an email to see if I could trim it down. Josh at Iron Rock was quick to respond and even offered to trim it there for no added cost so I went ahead and ordered it.
Here's what I got:
This thing looks very stout. The powerder coat was flaking in a couple of spots though. This isn't a show queen so I didn't mind too much. I just scuffed it up and sprayed it with the only paint I had around: clear.
I couldn't tell that it had been trimmed. Josh said they'd spray the cut to prevent rust so I figured I'd be able to tell the difference, but I couldn't. I think they forgot to trim it because as best as I can tell my axle is off center 1/4" adjusted all the way in. That's close enough for me right now, if it ends up bothering me I'll trim 3/8's.
I went looking for synthetic grease at the parts store and this is all I could find. It's working good so far.
Getting the stock bracket out was a PITA. My impact wrench was useless, but my 18" breaker bar got it done on 3 of the bolts. The last one started to give but then the "captive" nut started spinning. I thought I broke the weld but it turns out the star just unseated. I had to grind the head off wich took a long time due to poor access.
So I got a replacement bolt and put it together. The bracket went in fine and I figured out the rest. No instructions were included and I think they'd be helpful: the bushing bolts and sleeves are 2 slightly different sizes so you may not notice if you swap them until you try to put it together.
Here's the axle end:
I think this bolt should be a longer and it should include a washer. As it is the end of the bolt just makes it flush with the top of the nut. I used loctite and cranked it down good so it should hold but I'd feel better if it was 1/8 to 1/4" longer. And the stock bolt has a captive washer, there's no reason this one shouldn't.
Here it is installed:
I've driven it for a week now and haven't had any death wobble. But I have heard some clunking from the front and I just found this:
That clean spot is where it contacts the stock cover. This is with the sway bar connected the whole time. I haven't disconnected the sway bar and flexed it to see how bad it is, but I think there's enough bushing give that it slids past, but I don't like it. I plan to upgrade the cover in the future but it'll only stick out more then. Any ideas on fixing this?
I like the basic design and beef of this track bar, but it ain't perfect. Iron Rock should supply a longer axle-side bushing bolt w/ washers with their kit, and I don't know what I'm going to do about the diff cover contact. Maybe most people with more lift bumpstop enough that it doesn't happen, I dunno. Maybe the bushings have enough give that it's OK, or maybe it'll just "self clearance."
Here's what I got:
This thing looks very stout. The powerder coat was flaking in a couple of spots though. This isn't a show queen so I didn't mind too much. I just scuffed it up and sprayed it with the only paint I had around: clear.
I couldn't tell that it had been trimmed. Josh said they'd spray the cut to prevent rust so I figured I'd be able to tell the difference, but I couldn't. I think they forgot to trim it because as best as I can tell my axle is off center 1/4" adjusted all the way in. That's close enough for me right now, if it ends up bothering me I'll trim 3/8's.
I went looking for synthetic grease at the parts store and this is all I could find. It's working good so far.
Getting the stock bracket out was a PITA. My impact wrench was useless, but my 18" breaker bar got it done on 3 of the bolts. The last one started to give but then the "captive" nut started spinning. I thought I broke the weld but it turns out the star just unseated. I had to grind the head off wich took a long time due to poor access.
So I got a replacement bolt and put it together. The bracket went in fine and I figured out the rest. No instructions were included and I think they'd be helpful: the bushing bolts and sleeves are 2 slightly different sizes so you may not notice if you swap them until you try to put it together.
Here's the axle end:
I think this bolt should be a longer and it should include a washer. As it is the end of the bolt just makes it flush with the top of the nut. I used loctite and cranked it down good so it should hold but I'd feel better if it was 1/8 to 1/4" longer. And the stock bolt has a captive washer, there's no reason this one shouldn't.
Here it is installed:
I've driven it for a week now and haven't had any death wobble. But I have heard some clunking from the front and I just found this:
That clean spot is where it contacts the stock cover. This is with the sway bar connected the whole time. I haven't disconnected the sway bar and flexed it to see how bad it is, but I think there's enough bushing give that it slids past, but I don't like it. I plan to upgrade the cover in the future but it'll only stick out more then. Any ideas on fixing this?
I like the basic design and beef of this track bar, but it ain't perfect. Iron Rock should supply a longer axle-side bushing bolt w/ washers with their kit, and I don't know what I'm going to do about the diff cover contact. Maybe most people with more lift bumpstop enough that it doesn't happen, I dunno. Maybe the bushings have enough give that it's OK, or maybe it'll just "self clearance."