Have a 96 Ram 1500 4wd ext can short but and took it in for alignment. They advised me that the alignment would be $119. Went home the got a call later and was told that a new track bar was needed before it could be aligned. Was also advised that they could install it and the total would now be $450. Told them wrap it up was coming to get it. They were mad I didn't fall for their outrageous pricing. But my question. Is the track bar critical to an alignment since it is a suspension component not a steering component?

 

There's no point to align vehicle if there are loose components either on the suspension or the steering. Both affect to each other.
I'd say track bar is the most crucial suspension part that affects how the vehicle handles.

 

Yep. Track bar needs to be solid for an alignment. If yours is bad, now is the perfect time to upgrade to the third gen style track bar. Bushings at both ends. Replace it once, never worry about it again.

 

Thanks for the info.