i have a 95 ram 3500 v10. it pulls really bad to the left, so i took it in for an alignment, they're trying to charge me $650 for a stock trackbar and saying that they can't do an alignment without it...

they also suggested that the trackbar will wear out every 60,000kms (my truck has 72,000kms on it right now) so i should consider getting their aftermarket upgraded one for $1250 (wtf??)
i looked in the faq, and understand that on lifted trucks they will wear prematurely, but my truck is stock ride height.

thanks in advance

 

That price is pretty high for a track bar. I think I paid $150 and then installed & an alignment. I noticed somthing wrong when I did a sharpe low speed turn, I would feel a wobble in the steering wheel.The mopar replacment bars a supposed to last much longer than stock. I would shop around for the parts and the labour. Mine was replaced at 135 000 km and it wasn't an emergency.

 

Yes, it will. In fact I just bought one for my truck from Thuren Fabrication so I can GET an allignment. Apparently the person who owned my truck previously, never completed the lift kit by not installing an offroad trackbar that would compensate for the lift. Thuren is sending me their trackbar for $330, including shipping from California. Little pricey, but everyone here told me they were worth the extra cost. I think you are referring to just a stock trackbar, but this still answers your question, yes, a bad trackbar will disable a vehicle of a good alignment

 

some shops make me want to puke

i picked up my DT pro fab t-bar .. install DIY .. for 200.. and thats WITH the 3" and 6" bracket...although it does need rebuilding.. but thats only 45 bux worth in parts.

 

I put a MOOG trac bar on my 2500 diesel for $180. It has a lifetime warranty. It took all of 15 minutes to change out.

You can't get a good alingment if the trac bar is bad. A bad trac bar can also cause the truck to wander while going down the road.

 

Yep...what they all said^^^^

Bad trackbar will prevent the alignment from holding spec, but $600 is rediculous. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/94-20...em190180435716

 

Ok lets get some facts right, a track bar does not affect alignment! Now before you all jump on me lets think about this.

Does a bad track bar change the settings fortoe in - no
Does a bad track bar change the settings for caster - no
Does a bad track bar change the settings for camber - no

These three settings can be done on the front axle even if it is out of the truck (in theory) as long as you know the pinion anglethat are set by theupper & lower links.

The track bar locates the axle, that is it. BUT yes it will make your truck drive like dodo if it is loose or bent & considering the pressures on it a bad track bar can be dangerous!

The upper & lower links will affect the caster/camber settings if the bushings are shot or if the arms are bent.

Now please don't attack me.

Bottom line is if the track bar is loose it should be replaced & if it is loose that is probably where your pull is coming from.

My truck is currently down for an engine & while it is down I am doing the entire front end at the same time just because it has 150k miles on it. Every bushing, joint & bearing, while nothing is "bad" with that many miles nothing is tight either & I am keeping the truck for a long time.

 

I agree with all that but most alignment shops will not do an alignment if your track bar is badly worn. And if they do, most will not guarantee that it is good because it's moving around too much.

 

thanks for the info guys.

i would do it myself but my hoist will not lift my truck. i'd have to take everything out of the tool boxes and take the welder off the back to get it up high enough to work on. i'll be ordering a new bar soon i guess