2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Track bar=Stabilizer bar ?

[Missouri Mule]

Just wanted to know if the track bar and stabilizer bar are one in the same?



With 185,000 and no steering/front end problems looks like I have to replace stabilizer bar.



TIA

 

[Dave M]

Just wanted to know if the track bar and stabilizer bar are one in the same?



With 185,000 and no steering/front end problems looks like I have to replace stabilizer bar.





TIA

The short answer is NO! :-laf Now for the long answer.



My stock truck 4x4 has a sway/stabilizer bar bolted at the front between the frame rails. Each end of the sway bar connects thru end links to the steering knuckle. The other type stabilizer is the aftermarket product made by SS (Solid Steel Ind. ) that is called (DSS) a Dodge Steering Stabilizer by them.



It is a steering box brace that is mounted under the stock sway/stabilizer bar and uses a bracket off the brace that the steering box shaft is connected thru with a bearing around it to stabilize the steering box shaft and elimate any movement there.



The fix does not replace the stock stabilizer bar but adds another bar under it (the DSS) to help eliminate steering box sector shaft play.



Here are links that may help which show the DSS:



http://www.sourceautomotive.biz/dss00194024.htm

http://www.solidsteel.biz/install_dss.htm



THe Track Bar is connected from a bracket on the left (passenger side of the axle up and over to a bracket on the front right side (drivers side) frame rail. There is a SS (Solid Steel Ind. ) retrofit bracket that is bolted on the frame rail to replace the stock TB with a 2003 type TB. See here:



http://www.sourceautomotive.biz/dnt40294024.htm

http://www.solidsteel.biz/install_tbk.htm



Here are all the front end goodies except for a new 3 1/4 turn steering box to replace the stock 4 1/4 turn box:



http://www.sourceautomotive.biz/steeringsuspension.htm

http://www.solidsteel.biz/



Does that make sense? I got all this stuff and my 3 1/4 turn box from here:



http://www.pscmotorsports.com/index.php?cPath=98&osCsid=ec6ac804d5792632781dd719d4fc7908



EDIT (3/1/07): I just found out the steering stabilizer I bought from PSC was not made by Solid Steel but by PSC. The TB bracket and 2003 TB that I bought from PSC were Solid Steel products. Be careful to ask what you are ordering is a Solid Steel Ind products and not a knock off of DSS.



Dave

 

[Missouri Mule]

I believe we were looking at the track bar by your description but he used a different name.

 

[AKAMAC]

The track bar joins the frame to the front axle and controls lateral movement. The DSS system uses the 3rd Gen TB and a bracket. Other after market systems use the original mounting bracket.

I used Thurens TB for simplicity of install, both are good systems.

 

[Missouri Mule]

I did a few searches before posting and today I checked out Thurens web site. It was definitely the track bar that was loose but I need to check out the stabilizer bar also. I also turned a few more pages in the service manual and found the description of the track bar.

 

[Dave M]

I did a few searches before posting and today I checked out Thurens web site. It was definitely the track bar that was loose but I need to check out the stabilizer bar also. I also turned a few more pages in the service manual and found the description of the track bar.

Get under the truck and watch the track bar while someone moves the steering wheel lock to lock. If the track bar moves at all (1/4-1/2 inch) than the truck will wobble. It usually is loose at the ball joint end on the frame rail but you can get movement on the axle end too. Any movement means it needs tightened or its worn out.



Dave

 

[Missouri Mule]

We turned the wheel but not lock to lock and it moved I'll suggest to my mechanic we try to tighten it but it will probably need replacement.

As of now the truck holds the road as usual (slight pull to right since new).