2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission new trac bar,now steering wheel off alignment!

[GreggNoble]

i just installed my annual new track bar and now my steering wheel is off the straight horizontal position that it was,and the axle appears to be across the truck more to the drivers side!

its the same NAPA warrenty bar that i have replaced many times and never seen this before. i have a 2" levelling kit in my front end but its been there for years. i`m told that all dodge ram track bars are the same 1500/2500/3500`s but some how this bar must be shorter iguess!

anything to offer on this dilema? thanks

 

[Joe Mc]

Especially with the leveling kit you need to consider the adjustable trackbar to center the axle on the front. If you really like changing the trackbar every year then I wouldn't suggest converting to a 3rd gen adjustable trackbar because you'd never need another one. Just a few strokes of grease every now and then and maybe new bushings every 3 - 5 years is all. I did the Moog trackbar (free part) annual change-out for 3 years then decided I was tired of it. MHO

 

[GreggNoble]

at the time i bought the warrenty bar,i wasn`t aware of the 3rd gen conversion,so i`m gonna stick to the warrenty bar as long as i can ,but this one is different seems to be shorter, wondering if anyone knows if its fact that all ram track bar are the same?

 

[PC12Driver]

I took the lifetime warranty track bar route for about a year. In that year I had two go bad so I gave up and went with the 3rd gen conversion. Anyway, one of the two bars was a little shorter and I did have to adjust the drag link a little to get the wheel straight again. It doesn't take much to knock it off center - only a couple twists of the link are needed to bring it back (less than 1/4"). And if you look at a stock truck, the axle probably isn't centered under the truck from the factory anyway...



As far as the lifetime bars, ya gotta figure that they are being offered as lifetime not because they're good quality, but they're cheap enough that the parts house can give them away. When the second bar was clapped out by 5,000 miles, I called Rip and did it right. The truck finally feels new again (the DSS helped as well). On the upside, since I bought the "lifetime" bar at Autozone, they took it back and gave me a full refund. So basically I was able to use two of their bars for a year for free.

 

[GreggNoble]

PC12 ! YOU GOT A REALLY GOOD DEAL! so you did experience what i`m talkin about ,you did encounter a bar that was shorter? the dealer sais that i must be mistaken cause all part #`s for ram track bars from 1994-2002 are the same. i dunno but mine has drawn the axle across the truck toward the drivers side about an inch. must be something wrong!

 

[PC12Driver]

Yeah, at least it didn't cost me anything to have a truck that wandered all over the road because of a rebuilt scrap part!



I don't recall if it was shorter or longer, but it wasn't exactly the same length. The dealer is right; there is only one part number for the 2nd gen 4x4s. But there are several manufacturers, so there will probably be some variance when these things are machined. And who knows what you'll end up with when the bar is rebuilt and resold as a "lifetime. " That's why our steering linkages are adjustable.



The only 2nd generation Dodge that has a centered up front axle is a 2wd. The 4x4s are centered at only one point in their suspension travel. As the suspension compresses, the front axle will move to the right. As it unloads (or gets a leveling kit without a track bar relocating bracket) it moves to the left. If yours wasn't shifted over to the driver's side, then there would be a problem!

 

[GreggNoble]

Thanks, so when i get it aligned soon, will the guy be able to do an accurate alignment with the front axle not square with the rear axle? can the alignment machines tell if the axle is not centred?

 

[Texis]

I suppose I'm missing something. My 97 has 320K and has the original track bar, all original bushings, steering linkage, etc. I have not had any problems with any of this stuff to date? The truck drives just like it always has. It wanders a bit, but it always did.



To be fair all the truck see's is highway time and the occassional muddy road. Is all this damage caused by rough roads or 4-wheeling? Maybe rocks (we don't have any)

 

[Joe Mc]

I suppose I'm missing something. My 97 has 320K and has the original track bar, all original bushings, steering linkage, etc.

Only thing I guess your missing is: Oversize tires and 2" lift ?



Most often once tire size increases this puts more strain on things + add the 2" leveling = recipe for things to wear out.

 

[Texis]

That do make a difference. I have always run 285's on the truck. And as I stated it's basicall all highway miles. I do get nervous when I hear everyone constantly discussing front end problems and I start wondering if mine is going to fly apart at 75mph.

 

[diesel DOG]

140,000 on mine and still tight

 

[Joe Mc]

That do make a difference. I have always run 285's on the truck. And as I stated it's basicall all highway miles. I do get nervous when I hear everyone constantly discussing front end problems and I start wondering if mine is going to fly apart at 75mph.

When I got mine (5/01) it had 75k and 265's on it, all was well until I put the first set of 305's on it around 105k and shortly thereafter I started replacing the track bar, then rod ends, then the leveling kit came, then more parts etc. , etc.



As far as falling apart at 75 mph, there's only one way to find that out



But it would be best to check everything in the front end out periodically just to be on the safe side.