Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Track Bar Question

[WBodine]

Are these Luke's Links worth the investment or should I just look into replacing the track bar?

 

[AKAMAC]

I haven't used them but have read quite a few reviews that give them the thumbs up for what they do. That being said, I liked the replacement adjustable bars as they allow for proper axle centering when you add weight (replacement front and rear cowkillers) or you add lift.

My 2 cents.

 

[Tinman]

I have all 5 of my ball joints on the 01 Linked. I like them, easy install and greasable. They are very tight joints after install. My track bar joint started to pop recently and I rebuilt the Link and added a spacer to tighten it up. Works great now. It had been on for about 5yrs and 90K miles. However, the articulating surface of the ball and track bar was noticeably worn. The axle end bushing also looked a little worse for wear. I figure next time it starts popping, I'll just get a new bar, probably Kore. One other note: The size of the Link makes mine touch the front diff. cover on full compression of the suspension. I ground it down some to help. I don't bottom my suspension very much and it only scrap a little so it isn't a problem. Some of the newer track bars address this. I think the Luke's fix is good, but if you keep the truck long enough, you'll probably end up replacing the whole bar eventually. The track bar takes do much stress and the joint is at such an angle, the stock bar may never last forever, Linked or not. But if $70 will get an extra 200K miles out of it, that's not bad. I fully expect the other 4 joint to last indefinitely, with an occasional rebuild.

 

[Loren]

I did all the joints on my 2000 truck (before I wrecked it). I didn't get to drive it enough to find out how long the Luke's Links would last, but I was happy with the job.



Mine also rubbed against the front differential cover.



After I finished the job I took the truck to the dealership for a front-end alignment. The mechanic complained that the joints were tight and made it difficult to do an alignment. He got it done okay, though.



Loren

 

[GrantP]

Are these Luke's Links worth the investment or should I just look into replacing the track bar?

I had one on the stock track bar for about 30k. It's a little crude but it works fine as long as you don't mind adjusting it once in a while. I tossed it all for a MOOG replacement bar after I damaged the threads on the factory track bar while removing it. The MOOG track bar has a much larger diameter at the frame attachment and the Luke's link won't fit.

 

[Joe Mc]

I went thru 3 Moog track bars on mine. Thank goodness they were lifetime replacement . . . then I tired of changing them and went with the 3rd gen adjustable unit - finally my front diff is centered!