Need help with Luke's Link/Track bar problem

[Bill Littlefield]

I installed a Luke's Link a couple of months ago to tighten up the track bar. Worked like a charm and was pleased to get my steering back in control.



Spent the last two weeks hunting and driving some bad dirt roads and a few no-roads. On the way home she was loose again and hard to keep on the road.



I figured something was loose or broke in a bit so I set out to tighten it up. All was tight but I could see the Lukes Link and track bar end move up and down about 1/4 inch when my wife would move the wheel before any tires started to move.



I tried to remove the Lukes Link plug to add another spacer (washer). Couldn't get it to turn more than 1/2 turn.



Took the whole assy off and put it in a vise. After some serious muscle, she came loose. I noticed that the Luke's Link has been hitting on the differential. Both had some pretty big scars. I think this made the Link a little out of round right at the lower edge. Anyone else had this problem???



I installed another spacer and a new o-ring. The ball joint seems tight. I re-installed the track bar onto the truck. The ball joint end still moved up and down about 1/4 inch before the tires start to move. Took the truck for a test drive, no improvement. About 1/3 steering wheel rotation before any engagement could be felt.



I can't figure out where the play is coming from. The ball shaft is getting tight in its sleeve. The Luke's Link is tight on the ball. The ball is round and not flat spotted. I think it was just a bad design from the factory (thanks Dodge!).



I'm concerned about both the play in the steering and the interference that the Luke's Link is having with the differential.



Sure would appreciate some advice from some of the rest of you. If I can't get her fixed, I'll go to a DT track bar.



I searched the archives and didn't see any posts with this same condition (just my luck!).



Thanks in advance,



Bill

 

[Cooker]

Sorry I can't help, but let us know what you get figured out. I was stongly considering the Lukes link, but not if there are some inherent problems with the unit.



Thanks,

Ryan

 

[MLee]

bad lukslink??

Bill, just a thought, call luk and ask him, its got a 100% money back on it. he'll probably send a new rebuild kit. He needs to know these problems so if more r/d is needed. just my pennys worth.

 

[Bill Littlefield]

No solution yet

Sorry guys, I was out of town a couple days.



I had talked to Johnny Lucas (sp?) about my Luke's Link problems before I posted the question here. He did not have a solution for me but asked me to let him know what I figure out. He did guarantee the product and would be more than happy to take it back or replace it if there is a problem with it. I was not looking for money back just to fix my truck. Now that I've got the Link apart, I can't see anything wrong with it so no sense in getting a replacement.



I can't tell where my play is coming from. When I'm watching the track bar while someone turns the wheel, I can see the ball joint move up the ball-joint shaft about 1/4 inch before the wheels start to move. At the same time, I can see the axle shift to one side of the truck (in effect, the body moves sideways). It may be that the track bar is just rotating on the ball (bad design).



Since no one seems to have a solution for me, I think I'll try a DT track bar next. It looks like a good design but I didn't want to have to spend the money. I was hoping to use it for some bombing.



I don't think there is a problem with the Luke's Link and for the price I would encourage others to give it a try. It may be that my ball joint was just too warn (80K miles) for it to work. I'm a little concerned about the interference with my differential and wonder if my 35 inch tires could be contributing. I don't think so though but at this point, anything is possible. My truck did have some minor front end damage at one point.



I'm rambling now so I'll stop.



Bill

 

[mr plow]

any idea how much the link costs?

 

[MLee]

re; lukes link

Mr Plow

On your question of how much does lukes link cost, is $50. 00 in cluding shipping, $46. 00 plus $4. 00 shipping. i had mine in three days after i had called him.

i haven't installed it yet but looks simple enough. and looks like good material, good machining. bill littlefield said in the post that he was having interference with his differential when four wheeling. i looked at mine in that area, looked like plenty of clearence, in extreme axel movment. mitt check other parts for ware, but that would also cause tire ware. just thought.

good luck. oppps, spent a nickles worth.