The Calmini track bar is supposed to eliminate the use of track bar extension.

Oh, and yes, I did grease the poly bushings.

Here are some more pics:

I'm a leaf spring guy, but, have you tried putting your jack stands on the frame, and pushing the axle overto the right? My thinking is that if the new one matches the old one, then maybe the axle has shifted over the little bit that it is off....

Just my pea-brain thinking again!! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/notooth.gif" alt="" />

The point is, however, that if you use the stock track bar, they suply you with an extension bracket, but if you use the Calmini track bar, you don't need the bracket. To me, that means that the Calmini bar should be longer than the stock bar.

You just need to put your jackstands under the frame. Then you can push your axle a bit and it will fit just fine.

You are correct in your thinking you don't need the extension.

Joe

not to be argumentative, but it still seems that if you put the lift on, effectively lowering the axle, that the track bar would need to be longer. Maybe the 1/2" doesn't matter? Anyways, take a look at what I have in my head:

I understand what you are saying. I would think the exact same thing. So, if the track bar isnt .5" longer, the axle will be shifted to the right .5", or at least moved over a fraction of an inch to either side?
-J <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

Have you done the "measure twice" deal? Goodness knows I have to measure twice every time I do anything. You are sure that they are the same length? Have you laid them next to each other, eye to eye? WHat they are saying makes sense, I just think that maybre the axle shifted.....
I had a buddy who dealt with this on the front of his XJ... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Speaking as someone that has been know to employ the use of a few graphic visual aids (Nice chart! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" /> ), for the moment I'm gonna give the man the benifit of the doubt on the measuements, and assume that the new Track Bar is indeed the same lenght as the old one...

If so, then YES, you are 100% correct - the axle will sit a little bit off to one side without the extension... but not enough to really worry about - and most likely, not enough that you'd honestly even notice (unless you happen to be the type that can turn charcoal into diamonds <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/ignore.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> )


Neverhteless, if that Track Bar really is the same length as the stock unit - combined with those incorrectly placed Ball Joint mounting holes...

[Ricky Ricardo]

"Someone's got a wholelotta es'plain'n to do!"

[/Ricky]


<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />
<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

m a b,

Get your self a punch, with a bit of length, place it in the hole..

As Joe already mentioned, put the jack stands under the frame, and then jack up on the axle a little, stop right before you start to unload the frame from the jackstands.

The hole should be about lined up, IF not, use the punch, to manipulate it a little, pushing the bolt in through the other side.

You could also have someone push on the left side of the axle, pushing to the right. It is possible that the whole things just shifted a little. They are bushings in there, use'em <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />.

Yes, your axle would be shifted a little to the right, it the trac-bar is the same length. Thats peanuts... The trac-bars primary job, is to keep the axle located laterally in a link style suspension(2nd gen rodeos/amigos, and troopers), to eliminate the sway/wandering of that axle in these types of suspensions.

Wont provide you with any issues, and like Smiley said(in one of the shortest posts, I haev ever seen under his name <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />), unless you are supremely anal, about miniscule details, you will never notice.

BTW, who made that bumper for ya???? I like...

Chase

Thanks for all the responses. I have thought of all those things, and came to mostly the same conclusions, I just wanted to get some more opinions. My fear was not that the whole axle would be shifted to the right, but rather that it would be angled or make the tires wear funny.

I tried lifting the axle like that and using a screwdriver to try to pry the bar over, but couldn't get it to work. Maybe if I try again with the wheels of the jack that is holding the axle up aligned in the direction I want to go, it might work better! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

As far as the bumpers go, they, and the sliders, were made by Matt at Indy4x. Here are some more pics: http://www.independent4x.com/generic68.html

I spoke with Calmini yesterday about the UCA's and they are shipping me out another set. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" /> THe only thing that sucks is that I am without a vehicle until I get them and I have already paid to have the bushings pressed into the ones I have. Maybe they will compensate me for this - I asked, but haven't gotten a response back yet. I am also waiting on a response about the length of the track bar, but so far Calmini has been very helpful.