2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Track bar questions

[24valver]

ok here's my problem... . my truck just developed a "shimmy" at 55-65 mph. now i do mean just developed. it was smooth as glass one day and then the next the shimmy was there. now, im certified in steering and suspenstion for heavy duty trucks, but these ol' Dodge's are a bit different. The truck also seems to wonder more, so I checked the track bar and is worn out. Then i looked at the stabilizer bar links. the bushings are dry rotted. So, I'm thinking that maybe between the two, they are whats causing my shimmy/wondering problems. Do you think that those could be the culprits??? Thanks in advance. Jim

 

[NVR FNSH]

Replace the track bar.



By stabilizer bar links, you mean the sway bar (anti-roll bar), correct? The anti-roll bar does not locate the axle side-to-side under the truck.



Brian

 

[San Felipe Bob]

Track bar and...

Replace the track bar and get the SSI brace.

The SSI brace keeps the steering box from wearing out.

They just plain work!



SFB

 

[24valver]

well, i sure hope that the track bar fixes the shimmy. I know it will fix the wondering, but I'm just not sure about that dang shimmy. Oh well, it's always something cause now I think my clutch my be on it's last legs.

 

[AFoulk]

whats the cheepest place to get one of those ssi braces?

 

[jkalchik]

98. 5, right? Don't waste your money getting a 2nd Gen replacement trackbar. Get a 3rd Gen retrofit bracket and a 3rd Gen trackbar.

Can't comment on the SSI brace. I bought SolidSteel's 3rd Gen bracket & bar and the steering box brace, all through Rip @ Source Automotive. Stand up customer service.

 

[AFoulk]

Do they have a website?

 

[SnoKing]

Yes

Do they have a website?

Source Automotive -- Main



SNOKING

 

[San Felipe Bob]

SolidSteel

SolidSteel = SSI



SFB

 

[San Felipe Bob]

DSS WWW Addy

Here's the web site.

http://http://www.solidsteel. ca/DSS.htm

Check with some of the TDR advertizers too.

I think some offer them below the MSRP?



SFB



Not positive that DSS= SSI

I have the DSS unit on my truck and it's great!

 

[NVR FNSH]

well, i sure hope that the track bar fixes the shimmy. I know it will fix the wondering, but I'm just not sure about that dang shimmy. Oh well, it's always something cause now I think my clutch my be on it's last legs.

Assuming you have no other bad parts, you may need to increase the caster to eliminate the shimmy.



Brian

 

[AFoulk]

well, solidsteel. ca seems to be the cheapest so far for the DSS and the trackbar conversion. I'm thinking of ordering the 2 from them. I've been getting a "rattling" or a "jiggling" thru my steering wheel over certain bumps for about a month now, and after checking things out, I found my track bar had a ton of play in it Anyone know of a cheaper place to get the 2? Source Automotive wanted the same price as PDR did for both items.

 

[24valver]

thanks for all the replies. im changind the track bar tomarrow so we'll see what that does.....

 

[24valver]

well changed the track bar and it doesn't wonder now, but I still have a slight shimmy and the front end needs aligned pretty bad now. I just don't get how the shimmy can just appear so suddenly????

 

[SnoKing]

well changed the track bar and it doesn't wonder now, but I still have a slight shimmy and the front end needs aligned pretty bad now. I just don't get how the shimmy can just appear so suddenly????

\

Did you throw a wheel weight? SNOKING

 

[AKaiser]

I got my SSI 3G trackbar retrofit kit and DSS locally thru a guy in SE Indiana about 3 year ago. It was for a 99 Ram BR1500. Great setup. I think you can find the distributors on SSI's website. Note, you have to get the 3G trackbar itself from SSI, a dealer or parts distributor.



Also, they have two sites. Solid Steel. biz has their vendors listed. This is how I got mine. I got it thru a vendor of Enterprise Engine Enterprise Engine Performance , Tracy Moore in Versailles, IN, which is between Cincy and Louisville.

 

[24valver]

\

Did you throw a wheel weight? SNOKING

I don't know, but right now I'm leaning toward this. I guess I'll talk it to an alignment shop to have it aligned and the tires balanced.