How to Remove the Track Arm Bracket on a 1986 Jeep Cherokee

The 1986 Jeep Cherokee was equipped with two- or four-wheel-drive. The four-wheel-drive Cherokee used a solid front drive axle with coil spring suspension. The axle is secured fore and aft by suspension arms that attach to the axle and brackets on the frame behind the axle. The axle is secured side to side by a track bar. The track bar attaches to the passenger side of the axle and runs diagonally over the axle to a bracket on the driver's side of the frame.

Instructions

1

Park the Cherokee on a level, paved surface and set the parking brake. Raise the front of the Cherokee with a jack and support with jack stands.

2

Remove the cotter pin from the castle nut on the track bar at the bracket with a pair of pliers. Remove the nut with a ratchet and socket. Attach a ball-joint puller to the track bar and pull it from the bracket.

3

Remove the four bolts that hold the bracket to the frame. There are two bolts on the bottom of the bracket and two bolts at the top of the bracket, on the outside of the frame. Remove the bracket.

4

Mount the bracket on the frame, install and torque the bolts to between 66 and 81 foot-pounds with a torque wrench and socket.

5

Slide the ball stud on the track bar into the bracket. Install the nut and torque it to between 30 and 40 foot-pounds. Line up the notches in the nut with the hole in the ball stud and install a new cotter pin.

6

Lower the Cherokee to the ground.