Track Bar

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What is a "track bar"? Do 4x4's have them?

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1996 Dodge 2500 SC, SLT, Cummins 12V, 5-spd. , 4X4, JRE 4" exhaust (somebody stole my kitty and my muffler fell off!), TST 280 HP/685 Ft-Lb Uprate Kit, AFC Spring Kit, Horton Fan Clutch, Jacobs/Ram Exhaust Brake, MagHytec Differential Cover, Combo Gauge, K&N Filter, Brite-Box, no turbo silencer ring, full-time fog lights. Prime-Loc and Rancho 9000 shocks coming soon!

 

[Archive]

Oh,yes! EVERY Ram model year '94 or later has one, and in my experience, if you have more than 70,000 mi. on yours without replacing it, it is most likely worn out. I've replaced 2 by that mile marker, and am on my 4th one @ 150,000.

The track bar is the device that locates your front axle sideways relative to the vehicle frame. It is attached to the passenger side of the front axle by a bolt thru a rubber bushing into a bracket welded to the axletube (on the front side of the axle). It is attached to the driver side framerail by means of a ball joint (this is the part that wears out) into a bracket welded to the bottom of the framerail, just behind the steering sector.

When the ball joint wears out, the motion imparted to the steering drag link (bar between the steering sector and the tie rod) doesn't translate into tire turning motion, it instead shifts the vehicle frame sideways relative to the axle. The result is noticable "play" in the steering. If you go over a railroad crossing or other rough section of road at anything it can cause a violent "shimmy" in the steering and front end, if the ball joint is wore out enough. This can be positively scary--trust me, I speak from experience! It will also agravate any brake pull your truck might be experiencing.
They aren't cheap to replace, but Moog or NAPA give lifetime replacement guarantees on their units (cost of a Moog is around $205. 00 last time I replaced one.
To tell if yours is bad, have a friend "saw" the steering wheel back and forth (I like to have the engine running for power assist) while you look for movement in the ball joint. Dodge says up to 1/16" movement is o. k. -- I say B. S. !! I notice quite a bit of "wander" with less than 1/32" of play. Driving with a gusty side wind while towing 18,000# of gooseneck gets quite stressfull #ad
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Hope this helps.

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Dean Jahnz
Black '94 dually (first on the block!), TST 230hp, Transgo shift kit, combo guage, 28' gooseneck camper/hauler, '83 Toyota extreme terrain 4x4.
My motto: The Most is Barely Enough!

 

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Thanks a lot, Dean. I really appreciate your detailed explanation. I have 57,000 miles on my truck so it is time to check my track bar! #ad

 

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I just checked mine and there is about 1/8" play. I am at 80,000 miles now. I have a Moog on it way. As I write this.

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Dee'sel
97 2500 Club 4X4 3. 54 LSD 5 speed, K&N Air filter RE0880 & Psychotty,
TST #11 all the way forward, #12 for winter, AFC spring kit,
TST EGT gauge & TST 0-60 boost gauge in A Pillar
Silencer Ring removed, Cat-be-gone, 4" exhaust from down pipe,
Dynomax 4" bullet, Crome 4" turn down, AmsOil 80W-90 in Trans,
Lund WInter front, Leer Cab Level Shell, 235/85R16 Goodyears
NRA/USPSA member and proud of it

 

[Archive]

Do you you usually need an alignment after replaceing the track bar?My new one is on the way from NAPA($189)after 52000 miles.

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95' 25004X4,Driftwood,Banks,Warn fender flairs and running boards(Play truck)95 3500,driftwood,Banks&phscotty,30,000 GVW apple and tractor hauler(work truck)

 

[Archive]

This thread prompted me to look at the track bars on our 97 and 98 trucks. Sure enough the ball-joint end moves about 1/8 inch on both trucks. You can see clearly how the axle moves sideways under steering forces. No wonder it is so hard to steer a straight line.
This is at 72k (97) and 16k (98) miles. If anything the 98 looks worse.
The dealer will hopefully replace the 98 trackbar under warranty.
NAPA will sell me a trackbar for the 97 for $192 with lifetime warranty.
BTW these trucks are used 99% on road, and get regular greasing of steering parts.

 

[Archive]

I replaced mine today with a Moog. The ball joint end is alot bigger on the Moog track bar than the OE one. And It should be the last one I have to buy.

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Dee'sel
97 2500 Club 4X4 3. 54 LSD 5 speed, K&N Air filter RE0880 & Psychotty,
TST #11 all the way forward, #12 for winter, AFC spring kit,
TST EGT gauge & TST 0-60 boost gauge in A Pillar
Silencer Ring removed, Cat-be-gone, 4" exhaust from down pipe,
Dynomax 4" bullet, Crome 4" turn down, AmsOil 80W-90 in Trans,
Lund WInter front, Leer Cab Level Shell, 235/85R16 Goodyears
NRA/USPSA member and proud of it

 

[Archive]

illflem: No you shouldn't have to realign after replacement. The bar locates the axle position with respect to the frame but doesn't affect any adjustments. You might notice that you steering wheel is in a SLIGHTLY different position when driving on a straight, level road but I doubt it.

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'94 3500 4x4, 193,000 miles, Auto w/shift kit,3. 54 Gears, TST #5 plate, 235-85-16s, Rancho 9000s w/remote, Isspro gauges inplace of cupholder & Amsoil Bumper to Bumper. NRA member.

 

[Archive]

My steering wheel is off by about 5 deg. Boy oh boy the truck drive better #ad
#ad
#ad


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Dee'sel
97 2500 Club 4X4 3. 54 LSD 5 speed, K&N Air filter RE0880 & Psychotty,
TST #11 all the way forward, #12 for winter, AFC spring kit,
TST EGT gauge & TST 0-60 boost gauge in A Pillar
Silencer Ring removed, Cat-be-gone, 4" exhaust from down pipe,
Dynomax 4" bullet, Crome 4" turn down, AmsOil 80W-90 in Trans,
Lund WInter front, Leer Cab Level Shell, 235/85R16 Goodyears
NRA/USPSA member and proud of it

 

[Archive]

Originally posted by illflem:
Do you you usually need an alignment after replaceing the track bar?My new one is on the way from NAPA($189)after 52000 miles.

BEST PRICE I GOT FROM NAPA WAS $324. 00 #ad
I SAID YOU HAVE TO DO BETTER THEN THAT HE DROP THE PRICE TO $220. 00. AFTER I TOLD HIM THAT CHRYSLER WANTED $230. 00 FOR THE TRACK BAR.

 

[Archive]

Since we shifted to NAPA...

A buddy of mine used to deal with a guy named Phil @ NAPA. He said Phil didn't know his tush form a hole in the ground. He went on to say that NAPA stands for "Never Ask Phil Anything" #ad

 

[Archive]

#ad
How about "No American Parts Available"
#ad
oops, I'd better shut up, I work there #ad
#ad


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95 2500 SLT Laramie 3. 54, automatic,Herculiner bed liner, JVC cd out of factory infinity system, southwest grill gaurd (a favorite amongst the deer population), K&N, AFC adjusted, dual straight exhaust out of "gutless" cat, Geno's dual EGT/boost gauge, TST #6 plate slid all the way forward, AFC housing slid all the way forward, silencer ring removed
"Layin' the 'SMOKEDOWN' on their ROOdy Poo CANDY GASSERS!"

 

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I installed a new trackbar today. I got it from NAPA and it was $189 like most of you were saying. I followed the service manual except I didn't put the frame on jackstands as the manual said to do. The old one came out OK after some pounding with a joint separator and a big hammer. Surprise came when the new one didn't line up with the frame, about 1 inch off. After I put the frame on jackstands it went right in. I guess it pays to follow the instructions. During the test drive I found the steering wheel off a few degrees to the right. About 3/4 turn on the drag link adjuster centered it right up. My road wander is gone, thought my driving was getting worse but it was just the truck.

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Ron

'96 Club Cab 2500 4x4, 4:10/w LS, Automatic, BD Pressure Loc, Mystery Switch,TST 230/605, Cummins Chrome, Mag-Hytec rear and trans covers, Boost, Pyro and trans temp gauges, Optima Red Top batteries, All black. 5th wheel hitch and camper tie downs. Tow 13k/33. 5' HitchHiker triple glide 5th Whl. and also use 9. 5' Lance Camper. NRA Life Member.

 

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I am Looking to replace my 2nd track bar @57,000miles. So heres my plan, Being in Bakersfield where there is a winston cup race every so often AT Mesa Marin ,So There are some race car chassis shops around here that work with DOM steel tubing, I plan on making my own track bar that has a placable ball joint end and is adjustable in length for different truck height's due to lift kits. A $25. 00 ball joint end is a lot cheaper than $189. 00 to $320. 00.
Doug

 

[Archive]

Ya'll are right about that. I just replaced my OEM track bar at 50,000 miles with the Heim unit. It was less than the track bars mentioned above with shipping and I sent the core back for $45 credit.

I have added the Rickson 19. 5's, Rancho shocks, including the steering damper, fixed the slop in the steering box and changed out the track bar. The difference in how the truck handles is absolutely amazing, it drives better than when new.

The Heim is adjustable and has a grease zert. So..... every 5,000 miles I change the oil, manually adjust the the "self-adjusting" rear brakes, adjust the track bar and now I have THREE zerts to grease.

Whoopee!

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1998 Driftwood Extended Cab, short box,12 valve,4X4,automatic, 3. 55, 52,000 miles, Banks cam plate, Rickson 19. 5's, Abbott EPRA, Rancho Shocks,Heim trackbar, NoCat, Ranchhand headache rack with side rails, in bed tool chest, side steps and rear bumper.

 

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I called my local NAPA about a track bar,they didn't know what one was let alone a part number,no wonder I rarely do business with them. I went to www.napaonline.com punched in my vehical info and trackbar. Came up with two numbers with only one digit difference,but $189 vs. $324. Iwent for the cheap one as both have lifetime warrenties. Could of ordered online but I called my local Napa with the number and the bar was in the next day-no shipping charges. Install was a breeze,no jacking. The new bar is absolutly identical to the stock one,could even take the stock one back and get a new one for my other truck. Old bar had about 1/2 inch play,my rig now drives straight,no more getting pulled over for suspected drunk driving!

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95' 25004X4,Driftwood,Banks,Warn fender flairs and running boards(Play truck)95 3500,driftwood,Banks&phscotty,30,000 GVW apple and tractor hauler(work truck)

 

[Archive]

Where do you order the Heim trackbars from?
I like the idea of a replaceable ball-joint.
NAPA does not offer this AFAIK.