how do you remove the rear track bar?
 

I was trying to fit my new tailpipe in and there wasn't enough room (the
hangers wont squeeze past the track bar and the floor) so I thought I'd
just drop it for a few minutes... So I snapped the bolt (frame side) and
got the nut off the axle side but the axle side bolt wont pound out. It
spins and the bar moves so it's not just bound up, is there a retaining
clip in there? or a puller needed? Also anyone know if it's okay to
replace the OEM torx head bolts with a grade 8 or is the OEM bolt
specifically hardened for the track bar? My haynes manual doesn't show a
retainer but there's a piece of metal with two little holes in the
bottom between the axle side mount, it swivels so I'm guessing this is
the hang up.

Of course only after I got this far into it did it dawn on me that I
could have just jacked the thing up to maybe get enough space to squeeze
the tail pipe through. But no big deal; from the looks of the bolt I
snapped they needed replacing anyway.

Re: how do you remove the rear track bar?
 

Uh...I forgot how this works (which side) but just jack up one side higher than
the other...this will free up the bar and it will come out easy.

Brian
88 YJ

Re: how do you remove the rear track bar?
 

Uh...I forgot how this works (which side) but just jack up one side higher than
the other...this will free up the bar and it will come out easy.

Brian
88 YJ

Re: how do you remove the rear track bar?
 

Uh...I forgot how this works (which side) but just jack up one side higher than
the other...this will free up the bar and it will come out easy.

Brian
88 YJ

Help (was Re: how do you remove the rear track bar?)
 

I got the tailpipe in (jacking up the frame gave me just enough room).
While I was under it I took a "pickle fork" to the head of the bolt that
wont come out. Couldn't get it off.. I'm guessing from the lack of
replies; that there isn't supposed to be a retainer of any sort in their
(axle side rear track bar mount) The bushings are so cruded up and
pushed out that I can't see in there to figure out what sort of retainer
it is; or how it's supposed to be removed. It appears to be a little
bracket with two small holes in the bottom that is sandwitched between
(inside) the track bar mount, with the track bar itself in between the
two flanges of this retainer (or what I think is a retainer).

Anyone with an 88 YJ come across anything like this? I've got the nut
off, pounding it didn't work, the fork didn't manage to pull it out...
and all the while the freaking track bar is loose and movable... leading
me to think there's some sort of retainer.

Help (was Re: how do you remove the rear track bar?)
 

I got the tailpipe in (jacking up the frame gave me just enough room).
While I was under it I took a "pickle fork" to the head of the bolt that
wont come out. Couldn't get it off.. I'm guessing from the lack of
replies; that there isn't supposed to be a retainer of any sort in their
(axle side rear track bar mount) The bushings are so cruded up and
pushed out that I can't see in there to figure out what sort of retainer
it is; or how it's supposed to be removed. It appears to be a little
bracket with two small holes in the bottom that is sandwitched between
(inside) the track bar mount, with the track bar itself in between the
two flanges of this retainer (or what I think is a retainer).

Anyone with an 88 YJ come across anything like this? I've got the nut
off, pounding it didn't work, the fork didn't manage to pull it out...
and all the while the freaking track bar is loose and movable... leading
me to think there's some sort of retainer.

Help (was Re: how do you remove the rear track bar?)
 

I got the tailpipe in (jacking up the frame gave me just enough room).
While I was under it I took a "pickle fork" to the head of the bolt that
wont come out. Couldn't get it off.. I'm guessing from the lack of
replies; that there isn't supposed to be a retainer of any sort in their
(axle side rear track bar mount) The bushings are so cruded up and
pushed out that I can't see in there to figure out what sort of retainer
it is; or how it's supposed to be removed. It appears to be a little
bracket with two small holes in the bottom that is sandwitched between
(inside) the track bar mount, with the track bar itself in between the
two flanges of this retainer (or what I think is a retainer).

Anyone with an 88 YJ come across anything like this? I've got the nut
off, pounding it didn't work, the fork didn't manage to pull it out...
and all the while the freaking track bar is loose and movable... leading
me to think there's some sort of retainer.

Re: how do you remove the rear track bar?
 

Wranglerjeep1 wrote:
> Uh...I forgot how this works (which side) but just jack up one side higher than
> the other...this will free up the bar and it will come out easy.

Problem is I can't actually get the bolt on the axle side mount to come
out. I can jack it up and get the frame side out (I snapped that
bolt)... Hmmm maybe the axle side bolt is worn so much that I have to
take the load off it to get the flattened part to unbind.. I'll try that.

Re: how do you remove the rear track bar?
 

Wranglerjeep1 wrote:
> Uh...I forgot how this works (which side) but just jack up one side higher than
> the other...this will free up the bar and it will come out easy.

Problem is I can't actually get the bolt on the axle side mount to come
out. I can jack it up and get the frame side out (I snapped that
bolt)... Hmmm maybe the axle side bolt is worn so much that I have to
take the load off it to get the flattened part to unbind.. I'll try that.

Re: how do you remove the rear track bar?
 

Wranglerjeep1 wrote:
> Uh...I forgot how this works (which side) but just jack up one side higher than
> the other...this will free up the bar and it will come out easy.

Problem is I can't actually get the bolt on the axle side mount to come
out. I can jack it up and get the frame side out (I snapped that
bolt)... Hmmm maybe the axle side bolt is worn so much that I have to
take the load off it to get the flattened part to unbind.. I'll try that.

Re: Help (was Re: how do you remove the rear track bar?)
 

As I recall when I removed mine many years ago the bolts came right out on
both ends. All there was were the bolts, the little u-shaped brackets (kind
of acts as a shim) and locking nuts on either end.

Perhaps you need to soak it down real well with Liquid Wrench and then try &
drive it out with an air chisel punch bit. Some heat might help as well, but
don't get the axle too hot.

"Simon Juncal" <sjuncal@erols.com> wrote in message
news:3FB84D24.4010309@erols.com...
> I got the tailpipe in (jacking up the frame gave me just enough room).
> While I was under it I took a "pickle fork" to the head of the bolt that
> wont come out. Couldn't get it off.. I'm guessing from the lack of
> replies; that there isn't supposed to be a retainer of any sort in their
> (axle side rear track bar mount) The bushings are so cruded up and
> pushed out that I can't see in there to figure out what sort of retainer
> it is; or how it's supposed to be removed. It appears to be a little
> bracket with two small holes in the bottom that is sandwitched between
> (inside) the track bar mount, with the track bar itself in between the
> two flanges of this retainer (or what I think is a retainer).
>
> Anyone with an 88 YJ come across anything like this? I've got the nut
> off, pounding it didn't work, the fork didn't manage to pull it out...
> and all the while the freaking track bar is loose and movable... leading
> me to think there's some sort of retainer.
>

Re: Help (was Re: how do you remove the rear track bar?)
 

As I recall when I removed mine many years ago the bolts came right out on
both ends. All there was were the bolts, the little u-shaped brackets (kind
of acts as a shim) and locking nuts on either end.

Perhaps you need to soak it down real well with Liquid Wrench and then try &
drive it out with an air chisel punch bit. Some heat might help as well, but
don't get the axle too hot.

"Simon Juncal" <sjuncal@erols.com> wrote in message
news:3FB84D24.4010309@erols.com...
> I got the tailpipe in (jacking up the frame gave me just enough room).
> While I was under it I took a "pickle fork" to the head of the bolt that
> wont come out. Couldn't get it off.. I'm guessing from the lack of
> replies; that there isn't supposed to be a retainer of any sort in their
> (axle side rear track bar mount) The bushings are so cruded up and
> pushed out that I can't see in there to figure out what sort of retainer
> it is; or how it's supposed to be removed. It appears to be a little
> bracket with two small holes in the bottom that is sandwitched between
> (inside) the track bar mount, with the track bar itself in between the
> two flanges of this retainer (or what I think is a retainer).
>
> Anyone with an 88 YJ come across anything like this? I've got the nut
> off, pounding it didn't work, the fork didn't manage to pull it out...
> and all the while the freaking track bar is loose and movable... leading
> me to think there's some sort of retainer.
>

Re: Help (was Re: how do you remove the rear track bar?)
 

As I recall when I removed mine many years ago the bolts came right out on
both ends. All there was were the bolts, the little u-shaped brackets (kind
of acts as a shim) and locking nuts on either end.

Perhaps you need to soak it down real well with Liquid Wrench and then try &
drive it out with an air chisel punch bit. Some heat might help as well, but
don't get the axle too hot.

"Simon Juncal" <sjuncal@erols.com> wrote in message
news:3FB84D24.4010309@erols.com...
> I got the tailpipe in (jacking up the frame gave me just enough room).
> While I was under it I took a "pickle fork" to the head of the bolt that
> wont come out. Couldn't get it off.. I'm guessing from the lack of
> replies; that there isn't supposed to be a retainer of any sort in their
> (axle side rear track bar mount) The bushings are so cruded up and
> pushed out that I can't see in there to figure out what sort of retainer
> it is; or how it's supposed to be removed. It appears to be a little
> bracket with two small holes in the bottom that is sandwitched between
> (inside) the track bar mount, with the track bar itself in between the
> two flanges of this retainer (or what I think is a retainer).
>
> Anyone with an 88 YJ come across anything like this? I've got the nut
> off, pounding it didn't work, the fork didn't manage to pull it out...
> and all the while the freaking track bar is loose and movable... leading
> me to think there's some sort of retainer.
>

Re: how do you remove the rear track bar?
 

The bolt in mine was worn to the point where it did have a flat edge - I had
to cut off the head of the bolt and pound the heck out of it to get it out
because of that. It just wouldn't budge the other way at all. It was the
bolt on the frame side though, the axle side came out relatively easily.

"Simon Juncal" <sjuncal@erols.com> wrote in message
news:3FB84F09.2020203@erols.com...
>
>
> Wranglerjeep1 wrote:
> > Uh...I forgot how this works (which side) but just jack up one side
higher than
> > the other...this will free up the bar and it will come out easy.
>
> Problem is I can't actually get the bolt on the axle side mount to come
> out. I can jack it up and get the frame side out (I snapped that
> bolt)... Hmmm maybe the axle side bolt is worn so much that I have to
> take the load off it to get the flattened part to unbind.. I'll try that.
>

Re: how do you remove the rear track bar?
 

The bolt in mine was worn to the point where it did have a flat edge - I had
to cut off the head of the bolt and pound the heck out of it to get it out
because of that. It just wouldn't budge the other way at all. It was the
bolt on the frame side though, the axle side came out relatively easily.

"Simon Juncal" <sjuncal@erols.com> wrote in message
news:3FB84F09.2020203@erols.com...
>
>
> Wranglerjeep1 wrote:
> > Uh...I forgot how this works (which side) but just jack up one side
higher than
> > the other...this will free up the bar and it will come out easy.
>
> Problem is I can't actually get the bolt on the axle side mount to come
> out. I can jack it up and get the frame side out (I snapped that
> bolt)... Hmmm maybe the axle side bolt is worn so much that I have to
> take the load off it to get the flattened part to unbind.. I'll try that.
>

Re: how do you remove the rear track bar?
 

The bolt in mine was worn to the point where it did have a flat edge - I had
to cut off the head of the bolt and pound the heck out of it to get it out
because of that. It just wouldn't budge the other way at all. It was the
bolt on the frame side though, the axle side came out relatively easily.

"Simon Juncal" <sjuncal@erols.com> wrote in message
news:3FB84F09.2020203@erols.com...
>
>
> Wranglerjeep1 wrote:
> > Uh...I forgot how this works (which side) but just jack up one side
higher than
> > the other...this will free up the bar and it will come out easy.
>
> Problem is I can't actually get the bolt on the axle side mount to come
> out. I can jack it up and get the frame side out (I snapped that
> bolt)... Hmmm maybe the axle side bolt is worn so much that I have to
> take the load off it to get the flattened part to unbind.. I'll try that.
>

Re: Help (was Re: how do you remove the rear track bar?)
 

Just play with jacking up the rear of the jeep. put jack stands under both
sides but leave one side higher than the other. When you do this you cause the
track bar to shift.....then get a bigger hammer. Mine came out pretty easy but
I did have to use elbow grease.

Brian
88 YJ

Re: Help (was Re: how do you remove the rear track bar?)
 

Just play with jacking up the rear of the jeep. put jack stands under both
sides but leave one side higher than the other. When you do this you cause the
track bar to shift.....then get a bigger hammer. Mine came out pretty easy but
I did have to use elbow grease.

Brian
88 YJ

Re: Help (was Re: how do you remove the rear track bar?)
 

Just play with jacking up the rear of the jeep. put jack stands under both
sides but leave one side higher than the other. When you do this you cause the
track bar to shift.....then get a bigger hammer. Mine came out pretty easy but
I did have to use elbow grease.

Brian
88 YJ

Re: how do you remove the rear track bar?
 

jdarg wrote:
> The bolt in mine was worn to the point where it did have a flat edge - I had
> to cut off the head of the bolt and pound the heck out of it to get it out
> because of that. It just wouldn't budge the other way at all. It was the
> bolt on the frame side though, the axle side came out relatively easily.

Yeah I snapped that one, it was worn flat the axle side was also so this
turned out to be the problem... I would have figured it out quicker but
the bolt was spinning, and the track bar was moving back and forth in
the slot but still the bolt wouldn't budge even with a pickle fork on
the bolt head and 2 pound hammer on the other end. I just had to relieve
the tension like everyone suggested. Thanks everyone.

Re: how do you remove the rear track bar?
 

jdarg wrote:
> The bolt in mine was worn to the point where it did have a flat edge - I had
> to cut off the head of the bolt and pound the heck out of it to get it out
> because of that. It just wouldn't budge the other way at all. It was the
> bolt on the frame side though, the axle side came out relatively easily.

Yeah I snapped that one, it was worn flat the axle side was also so this
turned out to be the problem... I would have figured it out quicker but
the bolt was spinning, and the track bar was moving back and forth in
the slot but still the bolt wouldn't budge even with a pickle fork on
the bolt head and 2 pound hammer on the other end. I just had to relieve
the tension like everyone suggested. Thanks everyone.

Re: how do you remove the rear track bar?
 

jdarg wrote:
> The bolt in mine was worn to the point where it did have a flat edge - I had
> to cut off the head of the bolt and pound the heck out of it to get it out
> because of that. It just wouldn't budge the other way at all. It was the
> bolt on the frame side though, the axle side came out relatively easily.

Yeah I snapped that one, it was worn flat the axle side was also so this
turned out to be the problem... I would have figured it out quicker but
the bolt was spinning, and the track bar was moving back and forth in
the slot but still the bolt wouldn't budge even with a pickle fork on
the bolt head and 2 pound hammer on the other end. I just had to relieve
the tension like everyone suggested. Thanks everyone.