How do you determine if your track bar is bad? I've read plenty of posts about them being bad and it being a common issue, and I'm sure at 170k mine is probably bad (definitely doesn't look new either). But what I don't know is how I'm supposed to test it to verify that it's bad. I do know that if i go over a bump while in a turn, the truck will get a bit spooky and wander a bit. But a the same time, the shocks are likely due to be replaced too (the upper metal covers are half gone from rust).

 

I would say its bad.

 

have a friend help you or wife start truck you get up under it and look where it is mounted to frame have so called friend or wife rock the steering back and forth while watching you mount if you see any movement of the bar it is bad if no movement then it is good
2003_0101Image0001.jpg?t=1240796049
this is what the old and new would look like


and the silver bar is where your trac bar is located

 

Thanks--I take it the ball joint is not replaceable? Where's a good place to get a stock replacement? I'm not going to fork out the extra money for a Thuren. I've got other things to tend to and will just go with a stock-type replacement. I checked eBay but didn't see anything available. I posted a wanted ad here but I doubt I'll see anything.

 

haha good luck on finding one cheaper new dealer ones are the same price as a thuran maybe 50 bucks less than a thuran
but remember the trac bars dont last really that long befor they start to go again had my ram for 10 + yrs and put 3 stock ones on and this thuran is the 4th one plus it is rebuildable if it goes bad so the price wont be so bad next time

 

u should make yr pics bigger so ppl with glasses can see them!

 

sorry still new at this pic posting thing give me time i'll get

 

Ok will do.

 

Google "Lukes link". Put one on my '97 a few weeks ago; seems pretty decent.

 

That Lukes Link certainly looks like a much cheaper alternative to a complete replacement trac bar--thanks for the link! It inspired me to go and look under the truck again this morning to check where the slop is. Most of it is still concentrated right in the gear box, and I still think adjusting the screw on the gear box will take care of most of it (someone said in another thread of mine that it won't fix it).

All ball joints in the steering are nice and tight, however, the trac bar (frame mounted side) does have about 1/8 inch of play in it. By play, I don't mean side to side left to right. Rather, it's up and down meaning the rubber grease retainer gets compressed about 1/8 inch, then loosens up 1/8 inch, as the steering wheel is rocked back and forth about 6 inches. The ball joint is bolted tight onto the frame though, so it's not like tightening the nut will help.

I don't know if this is enough play to cause a problem, whaddaya think?