2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission 3rd gen track bar question/problem, need answer please

[JCyrbok]

I was gonna install my 3rd gen track bar upgrade yesterday but while getting tools out and looking over the parts I ran into a possible problem.



The upper (frame end) of the new track bar and bracket dont let the new bolt slide through the holes. The threads slide through easy but the shank/shoulder of the bolt gets hung up real good. I am using the right bolt according to the instructions. This is the bolt that attaches the bar to the bracket.



Does this bolt have to be hammered through the bracket and the metal sleeve in the track bar end? It looks to me like I will have to wack it pretty good with a 3 lbs hammer to get it through, maybe. I also have the bolt in the freezer overnight to try to contract it alittle (not sure if it will work, but worth a shot). Will also have to grease it up too.



Anyone else run into this? Is it normal? I dont want to start this and get stuck and not beable to finish as I need my truck to get to and from work and have no other transportation.



Any idea sure would be greatly appreciated. I also posted this in the 911 section yesterday but only got one reply.



Thanks in advance,



J-

 

[JWashburn]

I suspect that you have the Mopar 3rd gen track bar not the SSI. It requires a metric bolt. The SSI kit comes with a fractional bolt that is a few thousandths to big. I called SSI and told them that I was going to buy the metric, they said that would work fine, and it does.

 

[JCyrbok]

I got the bar and the bracket from Rip at Source Auto. Not sure if it is an SSI or a stock Mopar one. The instructions says the bolt is 9/16x3inch. What size metric bolt did you get? Also what grade is the bolt? I dont now much about automotive fasteners but know that if you use the worng grade u can bust things? Also where can u get these bolts from, I assume not Home Depot and the like?



The track bar came in a big tube with "Made in Canada" sticker on it and another sticker that has a picture of the bar and Solid Steel Industries printed on it. Can't read the rest of that stick as my 4 year old has claimed the tube as hers and has done some decorating on it, LOL.



Thanks for the info.

J-

 

[fkovalski]

I did the track bar conversion on my '01. 5.....



If I read your concern correctly ... . you are describing the bolt that would come down from the top of the frame (thru the frame) to attach the new bracket onto the frame?



On certain years such as your's... . the holes did not line up due to some changes. I called the mfgr. of the kit when installling mine and they said to clearacne out the hole such that the bolt will fit. It is towards the underside of the frame if I recall. It takes a little effort to do this. I think I went thru 2 of my largers drill bits and really worked the reamer... . but, I would suggest doing this as opposed to forcing the bolt.

 

[JCyrbok]

Fkolvaski, nope wrong bolt.



The one I am talking about is the bolt that attached the actual track bar end to the new bracket. It runs front to back through the bracket and the track bar end.



thanks



J-

 

[fkovalski]

I had no problems other than what I described in my reply... . ... . it should not be a difficult install... .



Brainstroming here:

... . need a different bolt? ... can the bolt fit thru the parts independently? ... if so (or not) can this show where the interfernce is?

 

[JCyrbok]

the bolt can not fit through either the bracket or the metal sleeve in the track bar bushing either alone or in combination.



The interference is in the shoulder or shank that is at the end of the threaded portion between the thread and the head. The threads are about 1. 5 inches long and fit through both the bracket and the sleeve easily. The shank however is a little thicker and will not fit through the holes in the bracket or the metal sleeve in the bushing. This shoulder area is also about 1. 5 inches long.



follow this link for a pic of the bolt if my description is clear as mud, like usual, LOL. In the pic it is the bolt the furthest to the right.



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



Thanks

J-

 

[Cummins724]

I bought my track bar & bracket from Rip also... . went right together. I did have to wack it with a hammer, but no problem at all. I also had the Canada sticker.

 

[JWashburn]

You could measure the bushing inside diameter and proceed accordingly.

I bought a 14mm grade 8 bolt. It is . 551" insted of . 5625" In my area the only place that had such a thing was Fastenall. The next one was either by UPS or 120 miles one way. And being Fastenall I had to buy 5 in order to get 1.

My phone call to SSI was the first that they had heard about the metric bushing on the Mopar track bar.

 

[GCULP]

sounds like you may have two of the bolts mixed up, I also purchased mine from RIP and had no problems. Try this, while the bar and bracket are lying on the ground or bench, test fit all the bolts, nuts, and washers before trying to put it on the truck, then lay them out in different areas according to where they go. I too found that a couple of the bolts seemed interchangeable but were in fact not.

 

[JCyrbok]

Gculp, that is what I intially thought too, so I did try the other bolts. All are too long in the shank and would not let the nut tighten up to the bracket. They all kept the nut atleast 1 inch from being tight.



I emailed Rip and he advised that it did not sound right so I will be calling him wednesday when I am off. I will problem just get a grade 8 bolt that will fit and be done with it.



Thanks

J-