Track bar. Bad from day one?

[tmacc]

If this repeats I goofed somewhere.

Anyway, My truck goes in on fri. to have the track bar and drag link end replaced. I first noticed it on one of the first warm days we had around here recently. There is a clunk that I feel thru the steering wheel. But when the weather cooled down I can't feel it. In fact, I waited till we had a very warm day to take it in to the dealer so it was really obvious.
I did notice a slight clunking, very slight, coming thru the wheel in Sept. when I bought the truck, but It seemed to go away when it got cooler. I realy didn't pay much attetion at the time. Now that it seems to be temp. sensitive, I'm wondering if it was bad from the beginning.
What do you guys think?
BTW Should the dealer align this thing after they replace the parts?

 

[Guest00]

It will need an alignment but remember the dealers alignment rack is NOT my friend, say it out loud this time. The dealers alignment rack is NOT my friend.
Go have it done at a reputable front end shop so it is right, use the alignment spec's from this site

 

[NVR FNSH]

tmacc,
The dealer will claim that the alignment is not necessary afterwards - technically they are correct. The track bar is non-adjustable & the draglink only affects whether the steering wheel is centered or not.

However, do yourself a favor and have the front end aligned per 'Brents' specs - you'll be happy that you did.

Brian

 

[illflem]

I replaced my track bar without an alignment until months later when I got new tires. The aliment was right on Brent's specs, they didn't even charge me. The tech said that my truck was one of only a handful of vehicles in his career that was right on.
Word of caution when you get aligned, make sure the coupler on the tie rod that adjusts the toe in isn't adjusted so the big end is facing forward. It looks fine with the wheels pointed straight ahead, but in a sharp turn the coupler can hit the steering damper and damage it.

 

[tmacc]

Well, I sort of knew the answer to that one when I asked. Our local (non-dealer) mechanic is pretty good and he'll set it to the spec that I give him from this site. It's just a pain have to schedule the truck on different days of the week. It is suppose to be a work truck. Not a shop truck.

Bill, I'll make sure I mention the coupler when I take it in.

Thanks again guys. Tom

 

[tmacc]

Well, got the fr!ckin' truck back and it still has a clunking that I can feel through the steering wheel and to top it off, it now wanders worse than ever. Obviously, no one test drove the truck when it was supposably finished. I didn't feel like dealing with it tonight, so I try to further investigate it in the morning. The only thing I checked was that they did replace the track bar and drag link end. Unbelievable!!!!!
Oh yea, they did center the steering wheel like I asked.

[This message has been edited by tmacc (edited 05-04-2001). ]