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INSTALLATION
INSTRUCTIONS
517-278-1226 • [email protected] • www.jksmfg.com
491 W. Gareld Avenue, Coldwater, MI 49036
Product: Adjustable Front HD Trackbar
Part Number: JKSOGS128
Applications: Jeep Wrangler TJ, 1997-06
Jeep Grand Cherokee ZJ, 1993-98
Jeep Cherokee XJ, 1984-01
Jeep Comanche MJ, 1986-92
Welcome
CONGRATULATIONS on purchasing a new Adjustable
HD Trackbar from JKS Manufacturing. We are committed
to providing you with the best products available and your
satisfaction is our rst priority.
PLEASE READ these Installation Instructions carefully,
and save them for future reference, as they contain important installation and maintenance information.
Important
NOT COMPATIBLE WITH right hand drive vehicles.
RE-TORQUE ALL FASTENERS after driving 150 miles.
CHECK TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS as part of normal
vehicle maintenance.
Tools Required
Metric/Standard Socket Wrench Set
Torque Wrench
Tie Rod End Remover *
Tape Measure
1-1/2” Open-End Wrench
5/8” Drill Bit
1/2” Drill Bit
Heavy Duty Ratchet Strap *
Anti-Seize Lubricant
Grease Gun with Zerk Fitting Coupler
Wheel Bearing Grease
* Asterisk denotes tools that are not required for some applica-
tions. Thoroughly read instructions rst to determine which tools
will be required for your application.
Parts
Description QTY
A
Female Threaded (Chassis) End 1
B
1-1/4” NF Jam Nut 1
C
Male Threaded (Axle) End 1
D
1/2” x 2-1/2" Grade 8 Bolt 1
E
Sleeve 1
F
Polyurethane Bushing Half 2
G
1/2" Flanged Locking Nut 1
H
5/8” x 4-1/2” Grade 8 Bolt 1
I
Preload Ring 1
J
Nylatron Bushing Half 2
K
Flex Joint Ball 1
L
Retaining Washer 1
M
5/8" Locking Nut 1
N
Grease Zerk 1
O
Set Screw 1
JKSOGS128JKS Adjustable HD Trackbar Installation
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Installation
1. REMOVE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT
(OE) FRONT TRACK BAR
Remove front track bar and mounting hardware
per the factory service manual instructions for
your vehicle. HI N T: If difcult to remove, use
universal puller tool to separate OE track bar ball
stud from chassis rail bracket.
2. MOUNT ADJUSTABLE TRACKBAR TO
CHASSIS BRACKET
Using a 5/8” drill bit, enlarge the tapered mount-
ing hole in the chassis rail bracket located on the
driver-side of the vehicle.
Locate Chassis End (A) of Adjustable Trackbar
and insert the 5/8” x 4-1/2” Bolt (H) through the
Flex Joint Ball (K).
Apply anti-seize lubricant to bolt threads.
Mount chassis end of Adjustable Trackbar to chas-
sis rail bracket by inserting the
3. CENTER FRONT AXLE HOUSING
The front axle housing must be in perfect lateral
alignment with vehicle chassis before Adjustable
Trackbar installation can be completed.
Before you center the axle housing, make sure the
vehicle is at normal ride height, on level ground,
with the suspension supporting the full vehicle
weight.
Determine if the axle housing is centered by mea-
suring the distance between the tire and chassis,
using the exact same points on each side of the
vehicle to ensure accuracy. HI N T: For example,
measure from the edge of a tire tread lug to the
outboard side of the chassis, then repeat the measurement on the other side of vehicle using the
exact same points.
5/8” x 4-1/2” Bolt (H) upwards into enlarged hole.
Secure with 5/8” Locking Nut (M).
Tighten the 5/8” x 4-1/2” Bolt (H) to 135 ft-lb. using
a torque wrench.
IMPORTANT: Upper ange of spherical bushing must
t ush against the chassis rail bracket.
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JKSOGS128
If the two measurements are equal, the axle is
centered. If the measurements vary, divide the difference in half to determine the amount of adjustment required. HI NT: If the axle housing is not
centered, the chassis can be laterally shifted using
either of the following methods.
Ratchet Strap (preferred)
 Attach a heavy duty ratchet strap to the chas-
sis on one side of the vehicle, and to the axle
housing on the other side.
 Tighten the strap in small increments to pull
the chassis in alignment with the axle.
 Take measurements after each adjustment
until centered.
JKS Adjustable HD Trackbar Installation
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Steering Wheel
 Have a partner turn the steering wheel in
small increments to shift the vehicle chassis
side-to-side.
 After each adjustment, have your partner
hold the steering wheel steady while you take
measurements.
4. SET ADJUSTABLE TRACKBAR LENGTH
AND MOUNT TO AXLE
Using a 1/2” drill bit, enlarge the original mounting
hole on the factory axle bracket.
IMPORTANT: Length of Adjustable Trackbar must be
set with axle housing perfectly centered and the ve-
hicle at normal ride height.
With the axle housing centered beneath the chas-
sis, adjust the length of Adjustable Trackbar by
rotating the axle end until the bushing aligns with
the mounting holes on the axle bracket.
Apply anti-seize lubricant to threads of 1/2” x
2-1/2” Bolt (D).
Install Axle End (C) of Adjustable Trackbar to the
axle bracket and secure with 1/2” x 2-1/2” Bolt (D)
and 1/2” Flanged Locking Nut (G).
Take measurements again to ensure axle housing
is perfectly centered and make any nal adjustments if necessary.
Check the Chassis End (A) of Adjustable Trackbar
to ensure it is aligned with the chassis rail bracket.
If necessary, rotate fore/aft until the space between the trackbar and chassis rail bracket is
even.
5. LUBRICATE ADJUSTABLE TRACKBAR
Lubricate the Grease Zerk (N) at the chassis end
of Adjustable Trackbar using common wheel bearing grease or equivalent.
Maintenance
Re-torque fasteners after driving 150 miles. Continue to
check torque specications as part of regular vehicle main-
tenance routine.
The chassis end of the Adjustable Trackbar features a
spherical Nylatron bushing which is greaseable, adjustable
and rebuildable.
Lubrication
Lubricate the bushing via the Grease Zerk (N)
regularly as part of vehicle maintenance schedule.
Use common wheel bearing grease or equivalent.
Bushing Preload
The spherical Flex Joint is factory preloaded to 15
ft-lbs. and no adjustments are necessary at time
of installation. In the unlikely occurrence that the
bushing begins to loosen up over time, the user
can tighten the Preload Ring (I) to eliminate any
slop.
To adjust bushing preload, rst remove the Set
Screw (O) to unlock the Preload Ring (I). Then
tighten the Preload Ring to 15 ft-lbs. using a torque
wrench. Re-install the Set Screw to lock the Pre
load Ring.
JKS strongly recommends the use of Flex Joint
Tool # SM-FJL-TOOL to adjust the Preload Ring (I).
This special spanner socket is available directly
from Summit Machine by calling 877-533-7557.
IMPORTANT: The Chassis End of Adjustable Trackbar
must be in the “neutral” position (as illustrated above)
before the Jam Nut is tightened.
Once all adjustments are complete, fully tighten
the Jam Nut (B) to prevent Adjustable Trackbar
length from changing. HINT: It may be easier to
tighten Jam Nut with the Adjustable Trackbar removed from the vehicle.
Tighten the 1/2” x 2-1/2” Bolt (D) on axle bracket to
65 ft-lb. using a torque wrench.
JKSOGS128JKS Adjustable HD Trackbar Installation
Replacement Parts
Flex Joints are designed for maximum longevity
and it is extremely unlikely that any parts will
wear out. Just in case, all replacement parts are
available directly from JKS Manufacturing on our
website at www.jksmfg.com.
Cleaning
Regular cleaning with pressurized water is
recommended to maximize ease of operation and
reliability. Always lubricate afterwards to evacuate
any moisture.
©2013 JKS Manufacturing, Inc & Aftermarketing, LLC
Revision Date 10/31/2013
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