Went into NTB today for an alignment and they brought me into the bay to look at the problems Betty has. The track bar is shot, has lots of play, which explains the death wobble. The outer tie rod end was loose, with play inside the spindle (hoping the spindle is NOT bad). One lower ball joint on the pass side is just slightly loose (should explain vibrations my passengers have been complaining about?) The Rancho RS5000 steering stabilizer bar is leaking...and the sway bar end links are trashed.

Well, for as long as I can remember, Betty has always had steering probs.

In the last two years, this is what has been replaced:

Upper Ball joints
Lower Ball joints
power steering pump
steering gear box
Rancho steering stabilizer
Hub bearings
Tie rods

So right now I'm thinking if the track bar is replaced, along with a new outer tie rod end and steering stabilizer I should be in good shape and Betty should be steering like a champ again? I would like to hear yalls opinions on this...

This is what i have dug up on ebay...

OEM adjustable track bar
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/DODGE...#ht_1526wt_988
BD Performance adjustable track bar (eliminates DEATH WOBBLE permanetly)
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...=STRK:MEWAX:IT
Front Sway Bar Link Kit
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...=STRK:MEWAX:IT
Moog Outer Tie Rod End
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...=STRK:MEWAX:IT
Fabtech steering stabilizer
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...=STRK:MEWAX:IT
Pro Comp steering stabilizer
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...=STRK:MEWAX:IT
Steering gear box stabilizer
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...=STRK:MEWAX:IT

So what parts would you guys go with and why? Or is there somewhere else I can look for better quality party, or cheaper ones? The whole idea here is put in high quality parts so I don't have to deal with replacing anything down the road for a long time and to be sure I get everything I need to be steering like a new truck. Also, does anyone know about those steering gearbox stabilizers and if I should get one? Thanks for any input DFer's!

 

The oem adjustable track bar by xrf should be great. Certainly a lot cheaper than the BD performance one, but, that one has the advantage of eliminating the joint end at the frame...... is it worth an extra 300 bucks though? Not to me......

Sway bar links look good, if pricey. How much are stock replacements from the local parts store?

Steering stabilizer? Too many opinions out there on those..... I think it is just a matter of taste/budget/which brand name ya want. I am still using the stock one.

Gear box stabilizer. From what I have read, it DOES make a difference...... and that is the cheapest I have seen it as well..... wonder if it is of the same quality parts as the others?

 

Well i guess the BD performance track bar is just a matter of whether or not i wanna spend the dough...however I have been to the BD shop in TN, and they do really high quality work there...not to mention I would NEVER have to replace the track bar again..

And yes I do agree with you about the steering stabilizer...a matter of preference there...

The stock OEM sway bar links were priced almost the same as those upgraded ones I found...

I was also questioning the quality of the gear box stabilizer, cuz it is the cheapest I found, yet other similiar ones look exactly the same but cost as much as $200-250

 

Yeah, for some of that stuff, you are just paying for a name..... (steering box stabilizer) I suppose the bracket itself is the big question, if that is a sound piece, the bearing on it is easily replaced...... and could potentially get you a nice upgrade, at less than half the price of some of the others. If you go for that one, we will expect a review.

For the track bar..... well, if you have the money to spend on the high zoot unit... it IS a better design.... and bushings last a LOT longer than joints...... and are FAR cheaper to replace.... depending on how long you keep the truck, might actually save you money in the long run. On you man.

 

I am keeping Black Betty FOREVER! or until i die...lol

Does anyone know of a similair design track bar as the BD for a little less dinero?

 

Solid Steel does a conversion to third gen style. (I think that is bushings on both ends.) Doesn't come with the track bar though.

I can find a bunch of others that do pretty much the same thing. SS seems to be about 190 bucks, just for the bracket...... and that doesn't get you an adjustable track bar. Others run more or less, with or without.... but, my guess is, they are all going to end up in the 400 dollar range when all is said and done.

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/DODGE...Q5fAccessories
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/DODGE...=item33618d66d

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/DODGE...Q5fAccessories
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/DODGE...=item33618d66d

 

400 for the adjustable track bar with with bushings on both ends.

 

Appreciate the links bro, but already had both items on my watch list. LOL