Driveshaft Rub

[Red Neckerson]

While out "creek crawling" over Labor Day Weekend, I noticed a "rubbing" sound. I found out it was my front driveshaft (front u-joint) hitting my new Borla Header and the driveshaft was also kissing the side of the tranny when the left front suspension is flexed.
I have a 3" suspension lift with a 1" bodylift on a 98 TJ. When I put the suspension lift on (Black Diamond) I relocated the front track bar over a 1/2" as per the directions. I measured to see if the front axle was centered and it did seem to measure evenly. Also got an auto tranny. Any help would be greatly appreciated!!! Thanks!!

	Track bar A track bar is a component of a car suspension system that provides lateral location of the axle. While the purpose of the rear suspension of an automobile is to allow the wheels to move vertically with respect to the body, it is undesirable to allow them to move forward and backwards, or from side to side. It is this latter movement that the track bar is designed to prevent. It is a simple device, consisting of a rigid bar running sideways in the same plane as the rear axle, connecting one end of the axle to the car body or chassis on the opposite side of the vehicle. The bar is attached on either end with pivots that permit it to swivel upwards and downwards only, so that the axle is, in turn, allowed to move in the vertical plane only.

[Bounty__Hunter]

Sounds like you may need to extend your bumpstops. Not only will it keep those parts from rubbing, but properly adjusted bumpstops will allow the springs to last longer by preventing repeated over-compression.

[Red Neckerson]

Originally Posted by Bounty__Hunter

Sounds like you may need to extend your bumpstops. Not only will it keep those parts from rubbing, but properly adjusted bumpstops will allow the springs to last longer by preventing repeated over-compression.

The Black Diamond lift did come with longer bumpstops. I run 33x12.5's without any fender rub at all. But if you think I need longer bumpstops I will get them. Will I need to do both the front and rear?

[TwistedCopper]

I had the same problem with an XJ, which has a nearly identical front end. I adjusted the trackbar and the problem was one.

I really wish I had measured the axle before lifting it to see if it is truly centered from the factory.

	Track bar A track bar is a component of a car suspension system that provides lateral location of the axle. While the purpose of the rear suspension of an automobile is to allow the wheels to move vertically with respect to the body, it is undesirable to allow them to move forward and backwards, or from side to side. It is this latter movement that the track bar is designed to prevent. It is a simple device, consisting of a rigid bar running sideways in the same plane as the rear axle, connecting one end of the axle to the car body or chassis on the opposite side of the vehicle. The bar is attached on either end with pivots that permit it to swivel upwards and downwards only, so that the axle is, in turn, allowed to move in the vertical plane only.

[Red Neckerson]

Originally Posted by TwistedCopper

I had the same problem with an XJ, which has a nearly identical front end. I adjusted the trackbar and the problem was one.

I really wish I had measured the axle before lifting it to see if it is truly centered from the factory.

Yes, I wish I had done the same. I Thought of getting an aftermarket adjustable trackbar and maybe trying to adjust it a bit to experiment. I dunno,
Bounty made a good point with the bumpstops, but I hate to give up wheel travel. The TJ works really well for me off road, but if it comes to that, so be it.

	Track bar A track bar is a component of a car suspension system that provides lateral location of the axle. While the purpose of the rear suspension of an automobile is to allow the wheels to move vertically with respect to the body, it is undesirable to allow them to move forward and backwards, or from side to side. It is this latter movement that the track bar is designed to prevent. It is a simple device, consisting of a rigid bar running sideways in the same plane as the rear axle, connecting one end of the axle to the car body or chassis on the opposite side of the vehicle. The bar is attached on either end with pivots that permit it to swivel upwards and downwards only, so that the axle is, in turn, allowed to move in the vertical plane only.

[Bounty__Hunter]

How long did you already extend the front bumpstops by?

When you relocated the front trackbar during the lift, did you merely redrill the lower hole 1/2" to the drivers side? Or did you relocate the bottom mount with a supplied bracket?

	Track bar A track bar is a component of a car suspension system that provides lateral location of the axle. While the purpose of the rear suspension of an automobile is to allow the wheels to move vertically with respect to the body, it is undesirable to allow them to move forward and backwards, or from side to side. It is this latter movement that the track bar is designed to prevent. It is a simple device, consisting of a rigid bar running sideways in the same plane as the rear axle, connecting one end of the axle to the car body or chassis on the opposite side of the vehicle. The bar is attached on either end with pivots that permit it to swivel upwards and downwards only, so that the axle is, in turn, allowed to move in the vertical plane only.

[Red Neckerson]

Originally Posted by Bounty__Hunter

How long did you already extend the front bumpstops by?

When you relocated the front trackbar during the lift, did you merely redrill the lower hole 1/2" to the drivers side? Or did you relocate the bottom mount with a supplied bracket?

I'm guessing probably around 2" on the bump stops. Not for sure.

Yes, all I did was drill a new hole for the trackbar relocation in front. I did not get a bracket for the front, just the rear.

	Track bar A track bar is a component of a car suspension system that provides lateral location of the axle. While the purpose of the rear suspension of an automobile is to allow the wheels to move vertically with respect to the body, it is undesirable to allow them to move forward and backwards, or from side to side. It is this latter movement that the track bar is designed to prevent. It is a simple device, consisting of a rigid bar running sideways in the same plane as the rear axle, connecting one end of the axle to the car body or chassis on the opposite side of the vehicle. The bar is attached on either end with pivots that permit it to swivel upwards and downwards only, so that the axle is, in turn, allowed to move in the vertical plane only.