2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Track bar gone bad question

[dslmacdown]

For the last several weeks I have noticed that to keep the truck straight you have to turn the wheel about a 1/8 left. Tonight I crawled under the truck with someone turning the steering wheel back and forth. I found play in the track bar but no where else. I am thinking there is not suppose to be any play in the track bar, right? I was thinking about the 3nd gen bracket and bar to replace. My question is the steering wheel off center caused by the loose track bar or is there another problem I need to find? Thank you for all replies.



Chris

 

[dieselshu]

Track bar

Chris, your steering is off center because of the track bar, replace it with the 03 version and bracket or if your truck is lifted get the adjustable with the 03 bracket. You can center your steering wheel with the tie rod adjacent the pitman arm, if it is off to the left you need to shorten the tie rod, off to the right lengthen the rod. Once you have the new bar on get an alignment down at a reputable shop. I have the adjustable by Solidsteel and it works great.



You can buy them thru Rip at sourceautomotive .



Goodluck

Dave

 

[JPittinger]

Easy- Thuren Fabrication. Don makes one mean track bar.

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

If you're on a budget the Lukes Link setup works pretty good.

 

[JKinney]

ditto with the thuren bar and I think its cheaper than converting to an 03 And Its one sweet looking addition Oo.

 

[dslmacdown]

Well after some R & D, I am interested in either the 3rd Gen retrofit or Soild Steel's adjustable bar. Which really is a adjustable 3rd Gen bar kit. Suggestions on vendors and possible prices would be appriecated.



Chris

 

[dieselshu]

distributor for the SS trac bar

sourceautomotive



Give Rip a call he can hook you up.



Dave

 

[dslmacdown]

T T T

any more suggestions?

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

I went to NAPA, lifetime warranty, direct fit.

 

[Turbo Tim 1]

Look at the Thuren bar, it's real beefy, I love mine and it's cheaper than the other set-ups.

 

[McLaughlin]

For service contact Rip at sourceautomotive like Dave suggested. For price you can try xtremediesel (xtremediesel.com). Rip provides really good really fast service. Xtremediesel took about 20 days to ship my order(still haven't gotten it yet. ) but free shipping. If I had it to do all over again, I'd eat the cost difference and buy from Rip.



You may also want to consider getting some Luke Links for the tie rod ends and such. They provided really good/exceptional service also.

 

[dslmacdown]

Well now I have discovered the real for my weird steering. Right side upper ball joint bad. Now I must replace all the joints before I drive to Kansas for Thanksgiving, and I just lost my job (another story for a another time) outside of this everything peachy. If I didn't love this thing soooo much she would go straight to the curb sometimes. 28K miles and this is the first major thing wrong, I hope that is a small bump in the road and not the start of a several page list of problems with her. I am going with Quad 4X4's complete kit, which I will order tomorrow, hopefully which I will recieve by weeks end, replace joints over weekend and be all set.

 

[gonehuntingagain]

Don't the ball joints/track bar both fall under the 3 yr/36000 mile warranty?

 

[dslmacdown]

Don't the ball joints/track bar both fall under the 3 yr/36000 mile warranty?

I believe so, but I timed out the 3 yrs of the warranty this summer. :{ :{ :{

 

[rivercat]

Sure would be nice if someone could blueprint the dss assy for us fabricating types to make our own out of scraps.

 

[SRehberg]

If you're mileage is still in the "warranty" range, even thought you timed out, contact the zone rep for D/C. Lots of times they will work a deal or at worst, split the cost with you, taking a lot of sting out of it. Then you have the warranty good at any dealer. IMHO

 

[59Turbo]

I'm with SRehberg, go to a dealer, preferably the one you bought from and complain because it is a common problem on the ball joints and track bar. I work at a Dodge dealer as a tech and lets just say the squeaky wheel gets the grease.

 

[dslmacdown]

Well I got my ball joint kit and I am ready to tackle the job tomorrow. A few reasons for me doing this job myself.

1. The only cost me around $250, and has stronger joints.

2. I don't like anybody touching my truck especially dealers

3. I need this done by the end of the week

4. I bought the truck in Scottsbluff, NE and I live in Cheyenne, WY a long drive to have work done.



Chris