2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission track bar's dead

[Kissfan113]

Went in for new tires and an alignment today, they told me my track bar was shot, What is a good fix for this, Should i go ahead and get the 3rd gen mod or is there something else i should look at, or should i go back to stock??

Kevin

 

[Nate]

I have a stock one in good shape if you want it? Just cover the shipping and it's yours.

 

[Kissfan113]

I may very well take ya up on that Nate, See what shipping is to zip 24927, if you need more info pm me, I am gonna wait to see what the consensus is as far as aftermarket vs stock, i definately don't want to be replacing them all the time. but if i go back to stock, i will definately take it

Kevin

 

[Big Sur]

There have been dozens of discussions here about this. I went through the same situation recently and decided on the Thuren. My advice: search the forum and read as much as you feel like and then when you're confused and/or frustrated step back. Don't think about it for a while and the answer will then come to you :-laf

 

[randrade]

track bar

there is one on the classifieds, I stopped by and it was like new condition

 

[wcjp]

I bought mine at Napa. They have a lifetime warranty. Just swap out when it wears again.

 

[JDKammin]

My track bar is out on my 96 diesel. I wanted to get a Thurenfab, as I have one on my 94. He is two weeks out from getting one done for me. He is that busy. I could not wait because I have had the death wobble twice. Thurenfab track bars can be rebuilt, but the major difference is that there is no tie rod style end on the driver's side. I also noticed that I have two tie rod ends that are loose. I ended up buying the parts I need at NAPA. Otherwise, I would have bought Thurenfab crossover steering for this truck.

 

[JayWm]

I bought mine at Napa. They have a lifetime warranty. Just swap out when it wears again.

Which you will be doing quite often. Napa's track bars have not done well with me at my shop. I've seen them fail in as little as 90 days. Good thing they are easy to change. A napa tech rep is supposed to come my shop tomorrow to meet with my service manager and me about why we won't sell their track bar. We've had good luck with the Moog replacement. Did one Luke's link, wasn't bad to do. We'll have to see how long it lasts. Although it seems to get good reviews. I find it interesting the 3rd gen looks like a Ferd set up (it kills me to type that). Not surprised though as Ferd's track bars hold up better than Dodge/Jeep. Although the rest of the steering linkage on Ford's die in a spectacular manner. Best of luck to you.

 

[Forrest]

Jay,



Is the Moog replacement a direct drop in replacement?



Do you know who distributes it?





thanks

 

[Alphacowboy]

do the thurenfab bar and be done with it. No more replacing "lifetime warranty" parts, no more wandering axle, do it right, never look back!

 

[GCULP]

I have researched this as well and have decided to step up and upgrade to the '03 bar and retrofit kit. The Thuren was an attractive alternative, but even it advertises it is rebuildable, if something in rebuildable, then there must be some kind of wear point, and it does still have a ball joint at one end, it is just a heck of a lot larger that the original. The other criteria is cost vs. how long you plan to keep the truck, I would suggest if your looking at under 5 years, the Thuren at $269 is the best solution, any longer and you may consider the next step up. Hope this helps.

 

[Alphacowboy]

I have researched this as well and have decided to step up and upgrade to the '03 bar and retrofit kit. The Thuren was an attractive alternative, but even it advertises it is rebuildable, if something in rebuildable, then there must be some kind of wear point, and it does still have a ball joint at one end, it is just a heck of a lot larger that the original.

The 3rd gen bar has a wear point as well though. Have read that people are still having problems with the bushings wearing out on the 3rd gen bars as well at low milage. I know Don has been contacted about a 3rd gen replacement as well, as some have had issues with the 3rd gen bar as well. Personally, I dont like the 3rd gen bar for the reason is that its a dealer part, and most impartantly, it has 2 "soft" bushings. One side of the Trac-bar in my opinion should be fixed. Less chance of play, and stiffer.



Also, Don's bar is rebuildable with off the shelf parts, he only advertises it this way for a simple reason. Wants people to know that if for some reason his company was to no longer exist, people could repair this bar if needs be. In all honesty, I dont think we ever have to worry about that happening. The paticular joint he uses on this bar is top notch. A good part of the expense of the Thuren bar is in that Jonny Joint. He went with the more expensive joint because its know to last and has one hell of track record of not failing or wearing. He did his homework on this one. I have litterly spent hours on the phone with Don over this and other parts on our trucks. His stuff is more expensive than most, but there is a reason, and I hate to use this old saying, but ya get what ya pay for.



just my . 02

 

[BLively]

im having good luck with a Luke's Link

 

[wcjp]

Which you will be doing quite often. Napa's track bars have not done well with me at my shop. I've seen them fail in as little as 90 days. Good thing they are easy to change. A napa tech rep is supposed to come my shop tomorrow to meet with my service manager and me about why we won't sell their track bar. We've had good luck with the Moog replacement. Did one Luke's link, wasn't bad to do. We'll have to see how long it lasts. Although it seems to get good reviews. I find it interesting the 3rd gen looks like a Ferd set up (it kills me to type that). Not surprised though as Ferd's track bars hold up better than Dodge/Jeep. Although the rest of the steering linkage on Ford's die in a spectacular manner. Best of luck to you.

I had 50k miles on the Napa bar when I sold the truck. Couldv'e been luck on my part. The 3rd Gen tracbar looks just like my 93' Jeep YJ.

 

[Regcabguy]

3rd Gen trackbar

The 3rd gen bar has a wear point as well though. Have read that people are still having problems with the bushings wearing out on the 3rd gen bars as well at low milage. I know Don has been contacted about a 3rd gen replacement as well, as some have had issues with the 3rd gen bar as well. Personally, I dont like the 3rd gen bar for the reason is that its a dealer part, and most impartantly, it has 2 "soft" bushings. One side of the Trac-bar in my opinion should be fixed. Less chance of play, and stiffer.



Also, Don's bar is rebuildable with off the shelf parts, he only advertises it this way for a simple reason. Wants people to know that if for some reason his company was to no longer exist, people could repair this bar if needs be. In all honesty, I dont think we ever have to worry about that happening. The paticular joint he uses on this bar is top notch. A good part of the expense of the Thuren bar is in that Jonny Joint. He went with the more expensive joint because its know to last and has one hell of track record of not failing or wearing. He did his homework on this one. I have litterly spent hours on the phone with Don over this and other parts on our trucks. His stuff is more expensive than most, but there is a reason, and I hate to use this old saying, but ya get what ya pay for.



just my . 02

I had my trackbar replaced by Sage Carli upon his recommendation as he rarely sees 3rd gens with premature trackbar wear. Balljoints,tie rod ends,steering boxes,that's another issue. So far,so good! Great guy!

 

[DBraunig]

I put the TBK and DSS on together about a month ago. WOW Oo. my truck has never driven as well as it does now. Nice reponsive steering, no more clunking when entering driveways, don't have to constantly "steer" it down the road. I am more than pleased with the TBK and DSS set up. I got them through PDR. http://www.piersdiesel.com/



We tried the lifetime bars at the shop because they are cost effective, but often they are worn out again in 90 days. Even though they are free... ... . there you are fixing the same problem again. i would suggest the TBK and DSS and be done with it.



Dave

 

[GCULP]

thanks for the info on the '03 bars, Sourceautomotive offers an '03 trackbar that is made by the same people that make the retro fit kit, I beleive it has better bushings, I am going to research this some more.

 

[Jong]

Just watch out if you have a plow frame on your truck as I ordered a Solid Steel 3rd gen track bar replacement kit and could not bolt it on as the plow frame was in the way... . looks like I'll be looking for a Thuren replacement to get around that problem. I need something as I already put a DSS kit on and it hasn't done squat to reduce my wandering problem. The truck has about 4" play in the steering wheel, luckily no death wobble. Just replaced all the ball joints, axle joints, and steering links and don't want to waste them again.

 

[Kissfan113]

after making a call to Doug at ADT, I am gonna try the Luke's Link and see how well that works for me. Sounds like it should solve the problem

Kevin