I'll try to keep this short. I have a friend that works in the R&D department for Rancho Suspension. We were working out a deal one night to get my truck in to be a guinea pig for a new steering stabilizer (which works great) and leveling kit. Well the subject of the trackbar came up. I've never had any problems with mine, but I know some people have. Rancho seems to have an interest in possibly developing a better than stock one for our trucks. So I'm wondering would anybody be interested in one? Don't ask me how much. I think he just want's to know if there is a market for them.
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New trackbar?
- Thread starter hv2hunt
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I'll have to think about that for a while.
That's long enough. MY ANSWER IS YEEEESSSSS. I am on my third track bar on a 2000. I was smart enough to buy the lifetime bar from moog. Any front end upgrades would be welcome. I am going to rebuild mine (front-end) this spring and plan on going with upgraded ball joints and other componets. I would also like a source for all the rubber bushings and grommetts that look trashed after only 18 months.
That's long enough. MY ANSWER IS YEEEESSSSS. I am on my third track bar on a 2000. I was smart enough to buy the lifetime bar from moog. Any front end upgrades would be welcome. I am going to rebuild mine (front-end) this spring and plan on going with upgraded ball joints and other componets. I would also like a source for all the rubber bushings and grommetts that look trashed after only 18 months.
Count me in, I'd buy a Rancho track bar. Get them to turn out a few urethane bushings, also, if you can! Ball joints would be great, as nobody is making them yet for 2001's, but that's not a likely product to come from Rancho.
The moog is a thicker bar, but the ball joint is still the weakest part of it. You will develop play in the steering, a clunking sound when turning the wheel, and hard to hold it straight down the road. The moog is also cheaper than the dodge one price wise and has a lifetime warranty.
Morph.
Morph.
need some info
Ok all you guys with the worn out track bar here is your chance to see if we can get something better. I just got off the phone with my friend and he would like to know WHAT is failing. They are aware of the issue of lifted trucks and needing an adjustable track bar. But is it failing at the swivel points? Is the bar bending? what's wrong with the OEM? I can't answer any of these questions because I have no issues with mine.
Ok all you guys with the worn out track bar here is your chance to see if we can get something better. I just got off the phone with my friend and he would like to know WHAT is failing. They are aware of the issue of lifted trucks and needing an adjustable track bar. But is it failing at the swivel points? Is the bar bending? what's wrong with the OEM? I can't answer any of these questions because I have no issues with mine.
Well here is my history:
The first two trackbars I bent somehow, they were stock dodge trackbars.
The other 4 track bars have worn out. They wear out on the driver's side due to the lousy balljoint design. There is an adjustable DT track bar or something like that that replaces the ball joint with a heim joint, but is around 250 bucks or so. Basically we need to get rid of the ball joint, make it thicker(stronger) and adjustable or make different sizes. I now have the 2" skyjacker front springs in my truck which is why my moog track bar did not last this last time. I am looking at having to go with the DT track bar or something similar for the adjustablity of it's design.
Morph.
Oh yeah, tell your friend that if they need someone to test their products, I can put it through it's paces. Drove 100,000 miles last year on every type of surface. I can't seem to find a truck that will hold together.
The first two trackbars I bent somehow, they were stock dodge trackbars.
The other 4 track bars have worn out. They wear out on the driver's side due to the lousy balljoint design. There is an adjustable DT track bar or something like that that replaces the ball joint with a heim joint, but is around 250 bucks or so. Basically we need to get rid of the ball joint, make it thicker(stronger) and adjustable or make different sizes. I now have the 2" skyjacker front springs in my truck which is why my moog track bar did not last this last time. I am looking at having to go with the DT track bar or something similar for the adjustablity of it's design.
Morph.
Oh yeah, tell your friend that if they need someone to test their products, I can put it through it's paces. Drove 100,000 miles last year on every type of surface. I can't seem to find a truck that will hold together.
Steve St.Laurent
Staff Alumni
Linstad Alignment (1-800-432-0017) makes an adjustable ball joint kit for the end link of the track bar. That's where most of the problems are. You can also get a track bar from them with their kit already installed on it. When the ball joint loosens up you simply tighten it up. It is not adjustable for length like the DT bar. I put one on my truck about a year and 35,000 miles ago and it's still tight the last time I checked.
hv2hunt, in the last 18 months I have put on a little over 50K miles wearing out 3 trackbars. Every single mile was on paved surfaces, there might have been a gravel shoulder or parking lot in there but I don't remember it. My truck has been used as a commuter and occaisionally pull my boat. About 20% of that 50K+ miles would be considered around town type driving, the rest is highway or freeway driving. The roads around here are rough, but not all that rough. A new bar makes it drive like a million bucks for about 10K miles and by 15K it is getting annoying with the wander and constant steering correction. Before 20K miles you are herding the truck down the road.
On each trackbar that I have had wear out it has been the balljoint that got sloppy. The joint is WAY too small for the job it is asked to do. The parts of the bar that is supposed to maintain loading on the joint is made of nylon and a spring. The nylon wears until the spring is not loading the joint enough to keep it tight, then the wear steadily accelerates. The bar is basically sloppy when the plastic is about 1/3 worn. The looser it gets the harder it gets pounded on. If a balljoint is used it will need to be a lot bigger to get a decent useful life. A lifetime type heim joint would be a lot stronger and last a lot longer. A poly bushing in the other end would help keep the wander and wear down as well.
The worst part of the whole thing is that when the balljoint is trashed on the trackbar the stress on the steering linkages and the steering box is a lot higher. A sloppy trackbar will take out the tie rod ends and/or steering box eventually.
I am not really interested in a lifetime warranty bar like the moog, they last little if any longer than the OEM part. I want a bar that will last for a long time without adjusting or changing it. I would not mind paying for a new trackbar every 100K+ miles if it would keep the steering tight for 100K miles.
Sorry so long, but that is my version of the problem.
On each trackbar that I have had wear out it has been the balljoint that got sloppy. The joint is WAY too small for the job it is asked to do. The parts of the bar that is supposed to maintain loading on the joint is made of nylon and a spring. The nylon wears until the spring is not loading the joint enough to keep it tight, then the wear steadily accelerates. The bar is basically sloppy when the plastic is about 1/3 worn. The looser it gets the harder it gets pounded on. If a balljoint is used it will need to be a lot bigger to get a decent useful life. A lifetime type heim joint would be a lot stronger and last a lot longer. A poly bushing in the other end would help keep the wander and wear down as well.
The worst part of the whole thing is that when the balljoint is trashed on the trackbar the stress on the steering linkages and the steering box is a lot higher. A sloppy trackbar will take out the tie rod ends and/or steering box eventually.
I am not really interested in a lifetime warranty bar like the moog, they last little if any longer than the OEM part. I want a bar that will last for a long time without adjusting or changing it. I would not mind paying for a new trackbar every 100K+ miles if it would keep the steering tight for 100K miles.
Sorry so long, but that is my version of the problem.
count me in, when i purchased my ram used from a customer of mine it had 83,000 miles on it. i know he did not change it. And yes the truck wanders to which ever side the road is sloped to. I tried "Lukes Link", but it has only made it a LITTLE better. so i am in same boat as every body it seems.
Long story-short... YES count me in
Long story-short... YES count me in
Count me in
I would try one on my 2001. It could already use a new trackbar. I went through several on my '96 and it needs another one now. The first one I had replaced under warrenty, but the remainder have all been replacements from NAPA. Why? because they have a lifetime warranty. I bought one trackbar and every 15 to 25K, I put another one on, for free (minus the beer and time in the garage). If Rancho is going to build a better mouse trap, which should not be too hard, it needs to have a lifetime warranty, otherwise, I would be inclined to stick with my NAPA trackbar. Which wears out, but I replace it with free parts.
Just my 2 cents worth. DR
I would try one on my 2001. It could already use a new trackbar. I went through several on my '96 and it needs another one now. The first one I had replaced under warrenty, but the remainder have all been replacements from NAPA. Why? because they have a lifetime warranty. I bought one trackbar and every 15 to 25K, I put another one on, for free (minus the beer and time in the garage). If Rancho is going to build a better mouse trap, which should not be too hard, it needs to have a lifetime warranty, otherwise, I would be inclined to stick with my NAPA trackbar. Which wears out, but I replace it with free parts.
Just my 2 cents worth. DR
track bar (not)
I would definatly be interested. I was going to call in the morning and have bar number 6 overnighted to me so I will have it for my next trip out thursday. Truck has 111,000 miles. also found out this afternoon that both drag link ends are shot. These parts are not heavy enough for these trucks. Just sold my '87 D-50 that had 187,000 miles with all original front end components and u joints. only weak part on that truck was the transmission every 30 to 40,000 miles; and I used it REAL HARD from the day it was new. and yes you can pull a trailer with a 4 banger. just not a 32 ft gooseneck like Big Whitey pulls. :--) :--) :--) I have front end checked at a proffesional alignment shop (not a tire/gas station variety) every set of tires.
I would definatly be interested. I was going to call in the morning and have bar number 6 overnighted to me so I will have it for my next trip out thursday. Truck has 111,000 miles. also found out this afternoon that both drag link ends are shot. These parts are not heavy enough for these trucks. Just sold my '87 D-50 that had 187,000 miles with all original front end components and u joints. only weak part on that truck was the transmission every 30 to 40,000 miles; and I used it REAL HARD from the day it was new. and yes you can pull a trailer with a 4 banger. just not a 32 ft gooseneck like Big Whitey pulls. :--) :--) :--) I have front end checked at a proffesional alignment shop (not a tire/gas station variety) every set of tires.
mee too
I'm ready for a new one, ball joint end is shot. One with a replaceable ball joint end would be cool, I assume the adjustables are this way, shame to have to replace the whole bar for one bad end
Count me in
I'm ready for a new one, ball joint end is shot. One with a replaceable ball joint end would be cool, I assume the adjustables are this way, shame to have to replace the whole bar for one bad end
Count me in
David Wheeler
TDR MEMBER
Is it bad?
I know I'm supposed to have the steering wheel turned back-and-forth and watch for movement at the frame attachment point. Mine moves up and down a little (not rigid), but no horizontal movement. Is mine bad or getting there? TIA
David
I know I'm supposed to have the steering wheel turned back-and-forth and watch for movement at the frame attachment point. Mine moves up and down a little (not rigid), but no horizontal movement. Is mine bad or getting there? TIA
David
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