2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission How to check trac bar?

[jkern]

how can i easily check to see if the trac bar needs replacement? i have 60k miles on truck, had it replaced under warrenty once. the next time it needs replaced i will use a DSS 3rd gen bracket kit and bar. the truck wonders around on the road a little bit, and is sensitive to the crown on backroads or the lane on a highway (right lane have to hold steering wheel to the left, left lane = hold wheel to the right). i don't want to replace the bar until it needs it, but not real sure how to check it.

 

[McLaughlin]

Have someone turn the steering while you look at where the axle and frame connect to the trackbar. If you seem side-to-side movement, you may be developing a problem.

There are other things that can cause the problems you mentioned.

You could have a bad alignment.

The sector shaft on the steering gear assembly may be loose. You can check it at the same time as you check the trackbar. A DSS may help if the problem is there.

You could have bad tie rod ends. I used Luke's Links to fix that.

I think bad ball joints can also cause the problem.

Tires can also contribute to the problem.

 

[Dave M]

The way I seen my track bar when it was bad was just like "Mclaughlin" said, Watch for vertical or horizontal movement at the frame rail where the ball joint end of the TB connects to the frame rail. Have someone turn the steering wheel left and right with the truck running, with wheels on the ground, as you watch for movement at that joint. If you see any side to side or up and down movement between the frame rail and TB (even 1/8 - 1/4 inch) then it is bad. There should be zero movement in the joint connection to the rail.



You can check for movement at the other end of the TB and in all the tie rod joints in the steering systems. Don't forget the tire pressure in the front tires. If they are low you will get a wobble. I've seen it in mine. As my tires start to wear out and need replaced I have seen it cause a wobble to appear. You can try rotating the tires if the rear are better than front.



Ball joints can be the culprit. Some have seen the steering column shaft loosenes cause it (there is a fix for that on TDR). Sometimes alignment can cause it or steering box loose/bad. This wobble can be difficult for even good mechanics to diagnose. Just check things one at a time.



Good luck,

Dave

 

[jkern]

thanks guys... i kinda thought that was the way to go about it. i drive on a lot of secondary roads that are really bumpy, so i am sure EVERYTHING is a little loose! i already have the DSS steering box lower bearing thing (forget its name now!), so i think a 3rd gen bar with their bracket and some new tie rod ends will help.

 

[wtfd6]

if your trac bar is loose you can see the truck move side to side when sitting still. just turn the wheel back and forth and you will see movement.

 

[JKaptchinskie]

jkern, I am curious if you found your problem yet. My symptoms are the same as yours and I have narrowed mine down to the ball joints, control arms, or a left front hub bearing assembly. (the only front items left to replace). Think I am going to replace the ball joints and hub to make it a complete front end replacement. Let me know what you found out. JK

 

[jkern]

Jason... i haven't put it in the shop yet to look it over, just living with it right now, i hope to get it in in the next month. looks like you may have done what i was thinking of doing, but i guess you are still having problems... maybe i will need to dig deeper. it is ashame that the engineers didn't design a heavier front end on the diesel trucks... the engine weighs about twice what the gasser does... you would have thought an engineer would have caught that!

 

[JKaptchinskie]

I just kept finding other worn out parts as I was replacing them. I enjoy working on my truck but the horror stories i have read about ball joints intimidate me a little. The dealership quoted me $1800. 00 to replace the ball joints, but you can get the Moog b/j from RockAuto for about $55. 00 each. I think that is crazy labor rates so I may tackle them myself.