Adjustable Track Bar - Centering frame to body method

[rean1mator]

Hi All,
Wondering what method you are using to center and measure the frame to the body when installing your adjustable track bar.

The WH install directions make no sense to me:

Trac Bar Installation:
• With the trac bar off the vehicle, center the frame / body over the axle by simply turning the steering wheel.
An
accurate centering method is to position a bubble level vertically at the wheel wells center to act as a fender reference
plane.
Then on each side, measure from it to the tire outer sidewall. Shift the frame / body, via the steering wheel, so
that each side’s measurement is the same.
• With the axle centered under the vehicle, measure the eye-to-eye distance of the trac bar mounts on the vehicle, and
then adjust the new trac bar length accordingly

Turning the steering wheel to center the frame is also turning the wheel so that would effectively completely change the reference point(the outer tire wall)

 

[bmc69]

Turning the steering wheel to center the frame is also turning the wheel so that would effectively completely change the reference point(the outer tire wall)

You've obviously not tried it yet...LOL.

Without the track bar in place, turning the steering wheel a bit to the left or right does nothing except move the entire frame left or right over top the front axle.

 

[Past_Miner]

I've always struggled with this as well. I usually end up getting as close as I can and then jacking the front end off of the ground over and over between fine adjustments until the axle is centered. I have found that I always needed to move the truck back and forth between lifts to get everything settled back to a neutral position between changes.

It isn't very efficient but it has always worked. If someone has an easier method I would be interested in hearing it too.

 

[rean1mator]

Haven't tried it yet! Was thinking it required turning the wheel a lot to center the frame. thanks!

You've obviously not tried it yet...LOL.

Without the track bar in place, turning the steering wheel a bit to the left or right does nothing except move the entire frame left or right over top the front axle.

 

[70_Steve]

Do Not center the front differential by measuring off the body!!!

Measure from the frame to the inside lip of the wheel. Do not measure to the tire.

 

[DirtDonk]

I've always struggled with this as well. I usually end up getting as close as I can and then jacking the front end off of the ground over and over between fine adjustments until the axle is centered. I have found that I always needed to move the truck back and forth between lifts to get everything settled back to a neutral position between changes.

It isn't very efficient but it has always worked. If someone has an easier method I would be interested in hearing it too.

I have one. Stop lifting the truck off the ground.;D
Saves a lot of time and effort and is completely unnecessary.

Since the trackbar does not support vehicle weight, you don't have to lift the truck to remove it.
Since the body and chassis move much more easily and consistently to each other with the tires on the ground, turning the wheel in small increments gets the deed done.

Easy peasy.

Paul

 

[DirtDonk]

Agree about the body as a reference. I've been meaning to suggest some changes but have not done so in awhile.

While many might prefer using the body so that they won't have that unsightly difference in the tires sticking out farther one way vs the other, it's the frame and axle that matter. NEVER the body.
Well, not "never" really since some of you might have perfectly centered bodies. But that's not a given with an EB and that's for sure!

Paul

 

[JAFO]

I got it close by measuring, then I just had the wife drive the Bronco for me a few times while I followed behind to get an eyeball on things. Then we'd go back home and I would make some tweaks. Got really good at getting the track bar down and back in place. Long pry bar, foot pushing on the frame, etc. Minimum of three trips out test driving is my guess.

 

[welndmn]

I find it best to just use a ratchet strap, tie one end off at the frame, the other end at the axle.
You can use the ratchet strap to center the axle, then measure off the trac bar mounting holes and adjust it to fit.

 

[navalbronco66]

When I centered mine, i found that the center of the diff was the passenger side edge of the differential cover on my Dana 44. I then found the center of the frame which was on the front cross member. I marked that and used a plumb bob tied to the center. After letting the plumb touch level surface I used a level placed up against the passenger edge of the diff cover. I used the end of the level so that it points towards the front of the bronco. The edge was about 2 inches from touching the plumb bob string. I then tied a strap from the frame to the bumper of my pickup and tightened the strap until the plumb bob line touched the edge of the level. I then installed the adjustable track bar. That seems to have centered my diff to the frame. I hope this method is acceptable LOL

 

[DirtDonk]

That right there is about as accurate as you could ever hope to get it.

Paul

 

[DirtDonk]

Oh, and the only thing you ALWAYS have to make sure of before you do any adjustments to either a trackbar or a draglink, is that your suspension is at actual finished ride height.
Any variation from that and you're just going to have to re-adjust things once it's back on the ground.

Which is why you don't adjust these things, or check for driveshaft lengths, until the truck is on the ground and settled.

Paul

 

[savage]

I've used the WH method and had know trouble, only thing is if you just put a new lift on , you may have to adjust the track bar one more time, when the coil springs relax to their ride height.

 

[needabronco]

I've always used a ratchet strap to pull the body the direction I wanted, then adjusted the track bar. This is a less than 5 minute operation.

 

[bigjhoov]

Leave suspension at ride height.

Use a ratchet strap attached diagonally from frame to axle to pull the frame somewhat centered over the axle.

Measure diagonally from common points on the axle and frame to determine if the axle is centered, adjust ratchet strap accordingly to center axle to frame.

Measure distance between frame and axle tac bar mounting points and adjust trac bar to this measurement.

Install trac bar and hardware to spec.

Measure diagonally from common points on the axle and frame to insure the axle is centered.

You will now more than likely have to adjust your steering drag link to center your steering wheel as well.

 

[DaveLev]

Great posting guys. Was going to tackle this next paycheck.

 

[rean1mator]

So recently installed full suspension setup and just installed a new tie rod/drag link too.

Should I wait until after I get my aligment done or before I do the alignmen...or does it matter?

and thanks for all the great advice as usual!

 

[Justafordguy]

You need to get the frame/axle centered before an alignment.