Hello all, I need some help that I couldn't find the answer to while searching. I recently bought a 98 Ram 1500 4x4 Club Cab. I went to replace the old track bar (which was a pain to get out) and ran into a problem. No matter what I do, it seems I cannot get a good angle to place the frame end of the track bar into the hole enough get the nut started. Any suggestions? I've tried jacking the truck up, starting the axle end first, etc...I can get the bolt into the hole a bit, but not enough to get the nut on. I am in serious need of some help. Thank you.

 

By chance did you buy an adjustable trac bar?

 

Welcome to DF!

Grab a friend, park 'em in the drivers seat, while you are trying to position the track bar, have said friend GENTLY rock the steering back and forth, see how it moves, then you can suggest to them which way to turn the wheels to get things to line up.

 

No it is not.


Do you do this with the bolt in a little bit already? Because I tried this method with the axle bolt started and the frame end not in the hole and it was a no go.

 

I did mine with the truck on the ground, and just had a buddy lean against the other side of the truck to get mine to line up.....

Have the axle end already in place, but, not tight.

 

A ratchet strap or come-along will help. Attach one end to the frame and the other to the opposite end of the diff. Does the truck have a lift?

 

Compare it to the old one. If it's not exactly the same, return it. There has been a few instances where certain brands are not right. (length mainly)but check it anyway. . IIRC, NAPA was one of them.

 

Thank you, I just needed to have both bolts in a bit and then the steering wheel worked. Next time I will definitely have some straps ready though as well. I read somewhere that you tighten it as much as you can, then out 1/4 turn. Is this correct?