Steering damper & track bar bushings - when to replace?

[crispyboy]

I like to keep up with the preventative maintenance on my vehicles and was wondering if there is a typical mileage when a steering damper should be replaced?

Also can the stock track bar bushings be changed out? Is it important enough to do this on before substantial wear is exhibited?

The truck still seems to steer pretty good but I have been told the ball joints are getting some play so that job is on my list to do this winter.

 

[AEdelheit]

The steering damper is hard to say, I have seen some last a year and other 5+ years. You could take one end off and see how it feels, it should be harder to move the faster your try.
For the track bar I would not mess with putting new bushings in the stock one, spend a little more money and get a good track bar, most are adjustable but can still be set to stock, have much better bushings and the bar itself will have less deflection then stock improving overall steering feel!

 

[Prairie Dog]

If your not doing anything to the suspension then the stock track bar will serve you just fine. You will notice no difference by going to an expensive adjustable bar if no adjustment is needed. Simply replace the bushings and make sure it's tightly torqued. This is an easy DIY job.
As for the dampener, as long as it's not leaking and you have no odd handling issues (steering wheel shimmy, etc.) then it is fine.

Scott

 

[AEdelheit]

Everyone has there opinions but I feel you will notice a difference with a better track bar, I deal with people on this issue every day and have yet to talk to someone that has not noticed a difference. I have talked to a good number of people who have had replacement bushings pop out of the stock track bar as they were driving down the road though.

 

[EStadler]

E. Stadler
Hate to drag out the discussion but I find myself in the same place as crispyboy.
I currently have no problem with the steering on my 04.5 3500 quad cab, LB, with Pacbrakes exhaust brake and air bags.
Just turned 100K miles and thought I would be pro-active and upgrade the track bar bushings before and problems arise.
Here's the question: Are the polyurethane bushings, aka Lukes Link Trackbar bushings the preferred way to go and when you replace the bushings should you get a wheel alignment.
I plan to replace the tires soon (approx.60K miles) so I might very well have an alignment done anyway.
Thanks for your input.

 

[Prairie Dog]

Replacing the track bar bushings wont effect the alignment.

 

[crispyboy]

I appreciate everyone input as I see that many of you deal with these vehicles everyday. My truck will always be stock in tire size and suspension.

Anyway the vehicle still steers pretty good with the stock components but it seems like the maintenance could be accomplished with some quality polyurethane bushings if I can find them. Anyone recommendations? The truck is an 09 so from what I have read it has heavier duty steering and suspension components than previous models which may have needed the aftermarket components (i.e. trackbar). I don't mind spending the extra money on quality parts if there really is a cost benefit. I can see where you are money ahead by spending big dollars on quality ball joints - still seems like a weak spot.
I'll check the steering damper as soon as time avails. If it needs one I'll probably look for a Bilstein.

 

[Ozymandias]

I don't recommend polybushes, they tend to squeak after some time and if the quality isn't pefect they distort within short time, pressured rubber is best for this part.

 

[crispyboy]

Ozy,
By chance do you have any links to replacement bushings that you would consider?

 

[Ozymandias]

I ordered mine from Rockauto, they are ok.
My Truck is also in OEM height, no Lift or whatsoever.


In the Past I did some polybushes to my Jeep, was a disaster.
But I must confess, I am Mr. 100% - if something isn't absolutely perfect I can not life with it, well, I'm a Swiss.

 

[cerberusiam]

The poly bushings tend to soften over time and they will allow the track bar to walk back and forth with enough pressure from larger tires or road conditions.

The aftermarket track bars solve the problem with a heim joint on one end which is another thing to contemplate.

 

[Bob4x4]

The only way to know how the trackbar is holding is to watch for movement under load,ie have someone rock the steering wheel back and forth hard.