2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Lukes Link...feedback needed from users

[DLangford]

In a recent post I described my experience with the death wobble.

Doing an inspection underneath revealed that my Lukes Link track bar repair kit had loosened up quite a bit at its ball joint, contributing a lot to the wobble (I also found one slightly loose tie rod end).



I installed the Lukes Link about 20k miles ago. Is it normal for them to loosen back up that quickly? I called the company and the technician said to add one of the shims from the original kit and retighten, which I did. I guess I would rather not have to monitor this component.



I am thinking that if this is a weakness/problem with the Lukes Link, I may go to the Solid Steel retrofit kit for a 3rd gen track bar in the 2nd gen truck.



But, that is pricey so I wanted some opinions of those who have used the Lukes Link.

 

[CThomsen]

I've had a Lukes Link on my 97 for ~80K with no death wobble problems since installation and no adjustments.

 

[Tinman]

I have all 5 ball joints on my 01 Linked. I've never had DW but I have lately had a lot of popping in the front end on turning. I added Links to the tie rod ends (the only one's that wasn't already done). Didn't help, so I rebuilt the others. All where a little loose. I cleaned them up, added a shim and greased. We'll see if it helps. Yes, they apparently do need some mantainance, but it is still cheap and relatively easy. Much better than the stock unit which are disposable it you don't use Luke's Links.

 

[LandShark]

I've had a Luke's on the track bar for about 90,000 miles and it's as tight as the day I installed it.

 

[DLangford]

THanks to all for the replies.

Landshark, what torque value did you use, if you remember this far along?

 

[LandShark]

THanks to all for the replies.
Landshark, what torque value did you use, if you remember this far along?

I have no idea. Most likely it was whatever torque was in the instructions. (Install was maybe 8 years ago)

 

[DLangford]

I called Lukes Link. THe man there said to torque it to about 35#. When I did that, the cotter key hole happened to not match up with the slot, so I went tighter, just enough to get the hole clear enough to get the cotter in. I do not know what the final torque was, it does not sound like its all that critical.

If it works, great. I don't have a problem occasionally checking and tightening it. In that respect I wish that Lukes had put a statement in their instructions to periodically check and retighten with the shims if it loosens up.

If it loosens up again too quickly on me, I am pulling it off and installing a Source Automotive upgraded 3rd gen to 2nd gen track bar retrofit. Pricey at about $425 total but sounds bulletproof.

I don't want to have Death Wobble ever again, especially pulling a loaded gooseneck at 60 mph in traffic!

 

[Rattler]

I was having a (Clunking) sound coming from under my truck somewhere. I finally traced it down to the rubber spacer that fits between the frame and lukes link. It had worh thru allowing movement in the trackbar. After i retightened the nut the sound went away. Randy