2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Track Bar replacement causing steering wheel to be off center??

[CRSmith]

Hello all,

I just got the track bar replaced under warranty. Now the steering wheel is off center about 10 degrees. Let me 'splain what I think is the cause and you tell me if I'm right or wrong. If the track bar is the tinyest bit longer or shorter than the old one, the axle will be located different laterally under the truck. Correct? Since the steering box, tie rods, drag link, etc. are all mounted relative to the frame, the different axle location will cause the steering knuckles to be turned a little bit. This will cause the driver to have to correct w/ the steering wheel. Your comments are appreciated.

 

[Steve Campbell]

There is an easy adjustment.....

The shaft that runs from the pitman arm to the tie rod has an adjuster in it. A little twist either way will make quite a difference. Go slow... ... and check the clamping bolts on the tie rod when you finish with the other one... . mine were loose, and I had not even played with them.

 

[NVR FNSH]

Doesn't adjusting the drag link change toe-in on our trucks?



Brian

 

[illflem]

I doubt if the track bars are different lengths. If you had an alignment with a worn track bar they might have recentered the steering wheel off due to the wear, new track bar put it back where it was supposed to be but the steering wheel was now off.

 

[Dane]

Brian,

If you keep the steering wheel in place (like they do during alignments) spinning the adjuster near the pitman arm does change the toe-in. If you keep the wheels pointed straight and let the steering wheel spin, it only moves the position of the steering wheel in relation to the tires which stay pointing straight. This adjustment should only be done with the wheels on the ground so they dont move and the steering wheel does.

 

[NVR FNSH]

illflem,

I believe the mfg tolerances on the track bar are enough to change the steering wheel. When GET Dodge change the track bar on my '96 gasser the steering wheel clocking changed - truck had never been aligned since it left the factory.



Brian

 

[jmtandem]

grease fitting trac bar

The frame end of the trac bar (drivers side) has a grease fitting. Might not hurt to give it a little grease each oil change.

 

[dseabaugh]

It is not unusual for people to get the wrong track bar (1/2 ton maybe) I don't remeber, but if you get the short o0ne I think it makes the steering wheel off. I have a friend that owns an alignment shop and he says half the trucks that come in have the wrong bar and half that come in are loose.

 

[Matt42]

Originally posted by reduaram

Hello all,

I just got the track bar replaced under warranty. Now the steering wheel is off center about 10 degrees. Let me 'splain what I think is the cause and you tell me if I'm right or wrong. If the track bar is the tinyest bit longer or shorter than the old one, the axle will be located different laterally under the truck. Correct? Since the steering box, tie rods, drag link, etc. are all mounted relative to the frame, the different axle location will cause the steering knuckles to be turned a little bit. This will cause the driver to have to correct w/ the steering wheel. Your comments are appreciated.

That's exactly what happened to me when I changed out my track bar. There is just a tiny bit of variation in the overall effective length of different track bars of the same part number to do that. A quick twist of the drag link (mentioned above by Dane & NVR FNSH) straightened out the wheel. It took about 1/4 turn for me. I had it double checked for alignment at the dealer, and my work was fine. (Luke Dodge in Phoenix did not charge me for the quick check!)



The track bar is an accurate product, but it is not a precision product.



Some alignment people will disagree, but I think that making that final adjustment is a good idea. A variable ratio steering gear has a definite center point. It's nice to have it as the steering wheel center point, as well.

 

[Dane]

Matt,

Good point about the VR steering(or any other for that matter... ). If all is setup correctly, the steering wheel is centered with the truck running straight on level ground AND will turn the same # of turns lock to lock off the center reference.

 

[illflem]

If you do adjust the coupler make sure the big side (with the bolts) isn't facing straight forward. It looks like there is plenty of clearance with the wheels pointed straight ahead but in a hard turn on the right tilt the coupler may hit the steering stabilizer bending or ripping it. Take it from someone who found out the hard way.