2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Can track bar play amplify engine noise/vibration?

[Hohn]

Hi guys. I recently did the d25/Bilstein mod, and while I love the ride and the look, there is something that is eating me alive.



I mangled the threads on the OEM track bar doing the install (ignorance was NOT bliss), and there's a lot of play in it now. I was barely able to get the nut back on, but there's almost a 1/2" of play in the track bar now.



Ever since I did the install and created the play in the track bar, there is a lot more engine noise in the cab. It's REALLY loud when I turn left (stretch track bar), and seems to go away almost completely when I turn right (which loads

the track bar in compression).



Furthermore, when I shut the truck down, there is a shudder that resonates through the whole cab!



Could the play in the track bar be amplifying the engine vibration? My DT track bar should be here tomorrow, and I hope this fixes it. It's weird-- you can feel the vibration in the steering wheel and shifter as well.



What else could I have done during the D25 install that would cause such vibration?? I am 90% sure it's the track bar, but I don't want to be throwing money at everything. .



Thanks for the replies in advance.



Justin

 

[mediccummin]

Coil change???

Not sure if someone ask this when you were questioning your install a couple weeks back but. Did you put the coil Isolators back on top of the springs when you put them in? Just a thought.

 

[Hohn]

No, I didn't reinstall any coil isolators. i didn't have to. The OEM springs came out and left the isolators up in the tower.



Since I first posted this thread, I have installed the DT track bar, and have NO play in the front at all. BUT I still have this annoying rumble-like resonance linked to engine RPM.



I am going to make sure that my upper shock bolts are tight. They seem to be a common culprit.



It's weird how the vibration is absent when i make a right turn, but audible on left turns. It leads me to believe the something is loose on the left side since the noise goes away when the left side is loaded from cornering.



If it's not the left shock, I I will have to check the trailing arms, though i tightened them with a 1/2" impact, so I doubt there's any looseness there.





Justin

 

[HEYBOSS]

I'm not familiar with the install but usually when you have a condition like yours, check all bushings on the front end for wear and play. Some times they're hard to spot specially if the truck is jacked up on a hoist or floor jack, you may want to have someone sit inside the truck, all wheels on the ground and have him turn the wheels back and forth stop to stop while you look under it. Also by having the brakes applied at the same time may put extra stress on the front end making it easier to locate the problem, good luck.

 

[Jetson]

Did you check your exhaust to make sure it isn't touching something? Also make sure the motor mount bolts are tight.

 

[Hohn]

You guys have mentioned good things to check. There's a lot of things that could be causing my problem. I don't so much suspect the bushings, since the truck is only a yr and 20K miles old. Nonetheless, I will check anything and everything I can for looseness.



Maybe it's the motor mount bolts? I suppose when I was prying on the front to get the track bar off, I might have caused that vibration. Since the vibration is in BOTH the steering wheel and gear shifter, that seems to be the most likely culprit when you think about it.



If the wind weren't >30mph today, I would actually get to check out the truck and get something done on my day off.



Justin