Track bar problem?

[johnholl]

1500 1999 Dodge ram RWD.
Vehicle drifts. needs constant steering correction
New ball joints, tires. I heard through this forum that it may be a faulty track bar.
What does the bar cost? Is this a do it yourself project?

John

[wafrederick]

Is it a 4wd and yes it is a common problem,most auto parts stores stock them.The track bar is about $175.00 to $180.00,I belive and stay away from Autozone and Advanced for the track bar.Cheap parts are not the way to go.It is real easy to change.

[johnholl]

Originally Posted by wafrederick

Is it a 4wd and yes it is a common problem,most auto parts stores stock them.The track bar is about $175.00 to $180.00,I belive and stay away from Autozone and Advanced for the track bar.Cheap parts are not the way to go.It is real easy to change.

Rear wheel drive.
Would you suggest NAPA as a good supplier?
Do I need to raise or support the vehicle, take any extraordinary safety precautions?

[wafrederick]

Napa would be a good one,their suspension parts are mde by moog.

[scoutinkeith]

since you said "rear wheel drive" , I'm guessing that it is NOT a 4x4?
if that is correct, and the truck is in fact a 2(rear) wheel drive, then it dose NOT have a track bar.

however, if it is a 4 wheel drive, as mentioned, the moog parts are pretty good. you do not need to support the vehicle, but having someone to help will be a big pluss. start by removing the bolt at the axle end of the track bar. then, remove the nut from the ball joint on the frame end of the track bar. at this point, if you have a puller, pull the ball joint end from its bracket. if you do not have a puller, you can leave the nut on the end of the ball joint stud, and smack it with a big hammer, and it should pop out. then just "wiggle" the bushing out of the bracket on the axle.

reinstall the axle end of the new bar first, and put the bolt back in. then have your helper turn the steering wheel side to side(doing this will push the frame side to side in relation to the axle, and make it easier to line up the ball joint stud on the frame end of the track bar). reinstall the nut and pin, and you're done.
hope this helps.

[funcruise]

If you havent got it fixed yet then I suggest a fix called a DSS. It is a darrins steering stabilizer and definately cures a wandering Dodge truck as long as everything is in good shape and tight. You can check it out at www.solidsteel.biz if you like. They are easy to put on, it took me about thirty minutes to do and Im pleased with the results. I have a 94 2500 with the cummins and can go down the road with my hand on the bottom of the wheel and she goes strait with no wander...Check it out.......

[Stevo2]

www.lukeslink.com
http://ramchargercentral.com/index.p...owtoshow;id=79

[edbrycem]

I am replacing everything related to steering on my 98 ram and was wondering since there are 3 different bars (stabilizer, drag link, and track bar), would it be easier to put the bars together first and then install in truck as a whole or do it one by one in the truck.

[scoutinkeith]

Originally Posted by edbrycem

I am replacing everything related to steering on my 98 ram and was wondering since there are 3 different bars (stabilizer, drag link, and track bar), would it be easier to put the bars together first and then install in truck as a whole or do it one by one in the truck.

actuailly, there are 4 bars; 1- drag link (goes from pitman arm/steering box to passanger side knuckle) 2- tie rod (attatches to drag link just before the passanger side knuckle, and goes to the drivers side knuckle) 3- track bar (goes from driverside frame to passanger side of axle) and 4- sway bar, which really has more to do with body role than steering, but it is attatched with bushings at the frame, and has link bars that go to each side of the axle.

as far as replacing the parts, the track bar can be replaced with the truck sitting on the ground, and the rest of the steering still connected(actuailly, turning the steering wheel, which will move the frame side to side to make aligning the track bar easier.) the rest of the bars would be easier to do with the front end lifted, start with the drag link, then do the tie rod.

[edbrycem]

OK thanks, i'll post back w/ end results, i hope this fixes my slop.

[horse482]

Napa chassis parts are not all made by moog, they are made by who ever bid the cheapest on the part. It could be Moog, Spicer, TRW, Mcquay Norris, etc.