2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission track bar

[Wyomingcowboy]

I am hoping to enlist a little expertise here... . I recently took my '01 3/4ton in to have it aligned and they informed me I needed a track bar. I bought a new one from autozone and installed it. The shop aligned my truck then, but it still pulled so I sent it back in. They informed me that the brand new track bar was bad. They showed me the very slight wobble in the ball joint end. Another shop did an alignment with the new track bar and said it was fine.

My question is: how much wobble should a good track bar have in either end?

I got ripped off by one or possibly 3 places and would like to know who to yell at. PLEASE HELP!!!

 

[rotohead]

Well, you could do a search on this 2nd gen 4 wheel drive issue and spend a week reading all the threads... but to make it short, you are at a point where you have to make a decision.
ANY OEM design track bar (even Moog type) has a inferior design compared to the 3rd gen track bar adapter plate and matching 3rd gen tb aftermarket combo (frame side ball joint is weak). It's more money to go this way for sure... esp after you already bought a replacement OEM bar that doesn't work. If you go the 3rd gen mod now you can be pretty confident that you're done with that front end problem. That's why after three OEM bars in two yrs for me, I'm glad I did the 3rd gen mod early with no regrets.
There are a number of vendors for the bracket and if your not lifted a stock bar from Rockauto.com works fine.
Chuck

 

[Missouri Mule]

Yuo can get 2nd gen track bar which many members like or the 3rd gen track bar from here but as I understand not the bracket. Thuren Fabrication-home page



My track bar is loose but the Mule is still going down the road straight (little pull to rilght but always had that).

 

[Extreme1]

I recommend the Lindstand trac bar.

Get the rebuilt bar, not the kit. I've only had to adjust mine twice in over 100,000 miles.

 

[DPrew]

I put a Moog track bar on 50K miles ago and just replaced it with a third gen style kit. The OE style Moog bar (specifically for trucks with a 2. 5" leveling kit) was junk after 50K miles of on road use. I just replaced all of the tie rods ends with Moog units with zerks as well. The steering has a feel better than when the truck was new.

 

[Lightman]

I replaced my track bar on two different trucks with the Thuren trac bar. It solved my problems on both trucks. It is adjustable so you can get yor axle centered properly. Both the trucks I instaled it on had the axle to off center more than an inch with the stock bar. It made the truck steer alot better and eliminated all death wobble.

 

[LandShark]

You could also consider a Luke's Link. I've had one for 85,000 miles on my track bar and it's still tight. Only got 30k each from 2 oem track bars.

 

[Wyomingcowboy]

Thanks for all the help... . membership money well spent!!

 

[Wyomingcowboy]

What is a leveling kit, and do I need one? I am thinking about the thuren 3rd gen track bar (purely for the # of positive posts on here) and am confused about what is needed and why. Also, what is the bracket for, and if I do order from thuren, do I order a 3rd gen bar or the one for my year? (2001)

 

[JKinney]

What is a leveling kit, and do I need one? I am thinking about the thuren 3rd gen track bar (purely for the # of positive posts on here) and am confused about what is needed and why. Also, what is the bracket for, and if I do order from thuren, do I order a 3rd gen bar or the one for my year? (2001)

A leveling kit could be a raised spacer between the top of the spring and the frame, That would amount to two inches. With a thuren bar you just get a thuren second gen track bar. The bracket deal is if you go with a track bar from a third gen truck, then you need the 180. 00 or so bracket to make the track bar fit. Don does not make those brackets.



Call Don thuren and talk to him.

 

[JFaughn]

I went with the solid steel parts , its a little confusing , mutable names . Windecker Machine Ltd. Home Page

 

[Alphacowboy]

Thuren, and Thuren and Thuren! Thats your choice! :-laf I know have Dons HD crossover steering, his TrackBar, and now his Steering Stablizer, HANDS DOWN is amazing quality and is ROCK solid. My truck drives better then it did when I bought it. I even have a 5" lift on it!



Nothing but smiles here!

 

[Seafood10]

I 2nd. Alpha, did both of those and it is Solid, even better than new.

 

[Joe Mc]

Edited out bad link - TDR Admin - 08. 25. 07.



Get the rebuilt bar, not the kit. I've only had to adjust mine twice in over 100,000 miles.



What the heck is this link? I clicked on it and a message stating "my system was hacked" appeared#@$%!