I have a 2001 Dodge Ram 1500 4x4 AT STOCK with 70,000 miles. I determined that I needed a new track bar because the old one was shot and the stock ones are CRAP!!! I got my replacement track bar yesterday in the mail and I am currently trying to get the old one off and I can't. I have the front up on jackstands with the suspension at full droop, the nut with the cotter pin removed, and the bottom bolt also removed. I have bashed on the end of the bolt in the bushing with everything I can find and sprayed every kind of penetrating lube in there and it won't budge. HOW DO I GET IT OUT??????? Please help.

 

I just gave up for the night. I tried putting the bottom bolt back in still with no luck. There must be something I am leaving out. Any suggestions would really be appreciated.

 

try heating it up and then hitting it out.

 

You dont need to heat it up just get a pickle fork and a B.F.H. That what it took to get mine off.
Good luck with that.

 

i used the pickle fork last night, and the end popped right out. don't hammer the bolt! it misshapes the hell out of the bolt. i had to re-shape and re-tap one of my bolts.

 

it is pressed in there pretty good... put a 3 legged gear puller on it and put some pressure on it. leave the nut on so when it pops it doesnt go flying.

which bar did you get?

I had one of these and had good results with it...
http://www.thurenfabrication.com/stocktb.html

 

I was wishing I had a pickle fork last night, but I don't have an air compressor. I've only seen the numatic ones, is there an option for a manual pickle fork? do you just hammer it in there? Also I don't care about misshaping the hell out of the bolt, I got an aftermarket track bar that I'm gonna be installing, and it has it's own bolt. So maybe the BFH is the way to go.

 

yeah just use a hammer and a normal pickle fork and hammer it in there. should pop it out after a couple of good wacks. it won't mishape anything unless you wack your thumb haha

 

its time for me to replace my track bar. You said you got an after market one, which one? and how well is it holding up?
I found soo many replacement options and none I can decide on.
First off, you can get the OEM style replacements from NAPA and MOOG - both have life time warranties, so you just have to buy one.
Then there is the Solid Steel Industries kits, the Lukes Links, Lindstat, and others...
ugh... should i just get the $140 napa replacement or spend $400 for one that i will never have to replace again.
I plan on only keeping the truck as my day to day commuter for 3yrs, then retire it as a work horse or trade it in.

 

I have used thurenfab bars and they hold up well. if you go with the moog bar, be prepared to be swapping it out every 25~30k... thats how long mine lasted.