Replacing Trackbar Bushing?

[audiobliss]

Had a local shop take a look at the front end of the Cherokee yesterday, and they said the only thing that needed any attention was the trackbar bushing. Said it wasn't really bad yet, but would just continue to get worse and the Jeep would start to wander going down the road.

Anyhoo, he called back today with a price (couldn't get a quote yesterday because supply company's computers were down), said it would be $215. Seems a little steep to me, and it doesn't look like it'd be too hard to do.

So
1) is that a horrible price?
2) is it a fairly easy job to do?
3) where/how much can I expect to get a bushing for?

Thanks!!

[John in MA]

On my ZJ the bushing is molded into the track bar and can't be replaced. Should be a similar suspension on your XJ. That would account for a lot of the price--somewhere around $100 IIRC.

It's an easy job. Unbolt the bar at both ends, pop off with a puller, adjust new bar to match old, installed.

[audiobliss]

Thanks for the info. That makes sense. I posted the question on a few Jeep forums and decided I would buy and replace the bushing, or just replace the whole trackbar with a nice aftermarket one, depending on what my research led me to.

However, over supper Dad said he was going to pay for it, and he recommended this shop, so I guess I'm just going to go through with it.

[Serendipity]

However, over supper Dad said he was going to pay for it, and he recommended this shop, so I guess I'm just going to go through with it.

Wow, after the speeding ticket? You must have a really nice dad!

[audiobliss]

Wow, after the speeding ticket? You must have a really nice dad!
I'm pretty sure the speeding ticket has nothing to do with the maintenance of the Jeep. However, I did just pay to have the right rear tire replaced. Had it replaced and all the tires rotated and balanced. So for the last week I've been trying REALLY hard not to break the tires loose at all. I did last night a bit in the rain...just couldn't resist...but that's the only time so far.

And I've also been doing a REALLY good job of doing 7 over tops since that speeding ticket.

And I forgot to update that thread on the speeding ticket, but I called all the lawyers, decided on one, went to his office, and paid him a week ago. He says he can get it reduced to improper equipment. :)

[Serendipity]

Didn't you just change your right rear tire recently?

[audiobliss]

Fairly, I'm sure.

[Frank Z]

The trackbar bushing is not molded in. Go to your local auto parts and buy a new bushing and put it in.

[Serendipity]

audiobliss,

I'm sure you can fix it yourself, you car nut :)

[stereo_luver]

Man up and put the bushings in. BOTH! I mean what the hell are we talking about? Maybe 1 hour to complete the task and thats with a piss break in between. Bust a knuckle and get a free dose of character. Its an easy job but be sure and get the girlly there and smear grease and **** all over you. Scream as you slam the wrench on the frame like you busted your fingers and ****. You'll get the added comforting from the old lady along with the satisfaction of a job done well by YOU. Ready to tackle the next project. Jack that sucker up HIGH! Slam on some 42's and get in the mud and rocks.

Chuck

PS...set the jeep on a set of ramps if you can to get a little extra clearance. Don't let the wheels dangle with a set of jack stands under the frame or front lower member. When you unbolt the track bar the axle assembly will shift and you'll have a time getting the **** lined back up. Not too bad if you have 2 people, but alone it can be fun as sandpapering a tiger's ass in a phonebooth. Have a jack handy to menuver the axle in place with the new bushings. And please be sure and use jack stands under the axle if no ramps are available. Put them under the axle on each side. I don't always and have had a few close calls over the 20 something years of working on this ****.

[Frank Z]

Man up and put the bushings in. BOTH! There's only 1 bushing. The frame side has a TRE.

[audiobliss]

Thanks for the info, Frank and stereo_luver. However, the shop installed the trackbar and realigned everything at 9 this morning. They started working on it as soon as I got there. I'm not sure if there was any dead time between replacing the trackbar and aligning it, but it took them an hour and 45 minutes.

The steering is SO much crisper, it's awesome! :D