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As the WHEEL TURNS (or doesn't) continued steering saga
2nd Gen Ram Tech1994-2001 Rams: This section is for TECHNICAL discussions only, that involve the 1994 through 2001 Rams. For any non-tech discussions, please direct your attention to the "General discussion/NON-tech" sub sections.
As the WHEEL TURNS (or doesn't) continued steering saga
Well, placed the order for the Delphi parts. Hopefully they fit the Moog sleeves. I checked the parts again yesterday and the most play is in the track bar which I have new bushings for but I know the crappy moog parts aren't good also. Planning to park it in the driveway and tear it all apart and repaint some stuff to do a good job. Supposed to be sunny for a few weeks finally. After all that, if there's still whining pump or tight steering gear, I guess I'll replace those for the fourth time but I really hope not.
Thuren track bar for 0-3" lift from 2009. It's in my signature. No longer produced. Remember the uniball joint discussed earlier? That was for the bar.
Well, so much for that. Once again Thuren has screwed me over. The track bar came out after a few hours (have to remove the right wheel, the tie rods, and get the right sockets) and I started to remove the snap ring holding in the stupid uniball. But it wouldn't budge. I bought two different snap ring pliers and neither one would work. I finally got one side loose but the other side snapped off. Great. Then I got the other side up and started to pry it out when half if snapped off. Now there's a third of the snap ring in the joint and NOTHING will get it out. I ruined chisels, screw drivers, picks, and even hard steel cobalt drill bits. Can't even make a divot. So it looks like I wasted $80 on replacement parts and will just have to buy a stupid 3rd gen bar and bracket. I am pissed. This stupid truck has never had proper steering and all these aftermarket companies are just greedy sobs with crap parts that don't work. Of course, nobody has the snap ring in that size so back to waiting on the internet again, if I can even find it.
UGGHHHHHGHGHGGHGHGGHHG
Finally dug it out! No fancy tools, no expert shop, just an old fashioned finger nail trimmer did the trick. I was able to pick at it until it finally moved. Broke into 3 more pieces though. Never seen a spring snap ring break to pieces before. Now I have to order a new one. The track bar is pretty rough as you can see. The old uniball only came out with many whacks of a 5lb sledge so getting the new one in will be some work. Not sure if it's even worth rebuilding at this point but I'll keep at it for now.
Finally dug it out! No fancy tools, no expert shop, just an old fashioned finger nail trimmer did the trick. I was able to pick at it until it finally moved. Broke into 3 more pieces though. Never seen a spring snap ring break to pieces before. Now I have to order a new one. The track bar is pretty rough as you can see. The old uniball only came out with many whacks of a 5lb sledge so getting the new one in will be some work. Not sure if it's even worth rebuilding at this point but I'll keep at it for now.
