I demonstrate a worn track bar in my 1998 Dodge Ram, and I show how I swapped it for an aftermarket Moog bar. Track bar movement is one of the possible cause…
I demonstrate a worn track bar in my 1998 Dodge Ram, and I show how I swapped it for an aftermarket Moog bar. Track bar movement is one of the possible cause…
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crap looks like i need a new track bar lol
Really nice job of showing the removal of parts which is always the hardest
part to figure out. Other people skip over those details so they are not
nearly as helpful for us DIY guys.
It’s called a torque multiplier. It needs something to brace off of to
work. They’re pretty nice for using a smaller torque wrench on something
that requires huge torque.
is he talking about the vehicle inspectors you get an inspection
sticker…they dont do shit in our state except give you a sticker
Yes, should be OK. Bang on the part that the bolt goes through. A Pitman
arm removal tool is pretty cheap if you can’t get it off, or even a three
jaw puller would probably work.
I know what you are saying, but it’s not causing any functional problem and
the only reason it was noticed was at a routine inspection, now passed. Do
you think there is harm in driving until it actually causes a problem?
Thanks for your input.
Yeah, I don’t use my torque convertor very often, but when I do it makes
these kind of tasks much more controlled. The planetary gear design is
amazing old technology. If you have a good quality impact that would work,
too, but my impact tools don’t have the stones to take this kind of bolt
off. There wasn’t much room for a breaker bar.
The provincial guidelines are very clear about this and I don’t doubt that
they failed it in good faith. However the design of a system where the
inspector may profit when failing a vehicle is open to abuse. I appreciate
your feedback, and your comment was my initial reaction. On further review
it’s not so clear cut to me. Certainly I didn’t notice a big improvement
from the drivers seat.
I’m about to do this today, and I was wondering how you’d pop it off
without that tool. Could it be pried off?
Well done !!
Great news, thanks for updating this thread.
Why Do dodge Rams get so Dam Rusty from the under carrige?
In this province the inspector is contracted by the government to do the
inspection, paid by the driver. The private inspector then offers to repair
any defect they discover, for going rates. This offers financial incentive
to the inspector to find what he can to boost his profits. I don’t
completely disagree with the system, since the end result is that imported
vehicles need to meet a high standard. But abuse of that power is a
potential down side.
That original track bar wasn’t bad at all. They shouldn’t have failed it.
the play is in the column not the track bar check out this video to get it
fixed >> watch?v=28cdIPJwDC4
I guess you would call it a ‘no name brand’ bought at Princess Auto here in
Canada. It’s better than my crappy air tools, and it fills a niche, but it
would not be considered an essential tool….
Great tutorial! I like that you included the socket sizes and the torque
specs. Keep up the good work!!!
I got it, the entire change took less than 30 minutes. Only challenging
part was turning the wheel so it would align to where I could put the new
bar back in.
Rust..! Why are Dodge Rams So Rusted up from under tge Truck carrage?
I think you’re right, Patrick. And my worry was that they wouldn’t pass it,
but it did pass the second inspection. I’ll keep an eye on that. Thanks for
your comment. Dave
Personally I have the same issue with the play I intend on getting this
product, and it won’t be a problem driving it as is but just more of an
annoyance because until you get used to the play like I have basically been
the reason why I haven’t fixed it but without repair it will get worse
And the new gearing down tool was invaluable :-), dam handy device. What an
odd shaped steering bar, makes you wonder what drug the designers were on
that created it, lol. Great job, good vid 🙂
When putting the new bar in, I just lifted and pried it into place. To take
it out I used a pitman arm removal tool.
What tool did you use to press the track bar into the right hand bracket?
who makes the torque converter tool you used and where did you buy it?
I was replacing mine for the same reason as you, an annual inspection, and
I was amazed how much less the body seemed to roll just pushing on it with
the new trackbar. It is not yet roadworthy, but when it is, I expect it to
handle more tightly.
Nice job!
I’ve heard that from others as well, OEM Dodge not as good as aftermarket
steering components. Thanks for your comment!
Thanks for your thoughtful remarks.
Good job. I wouldn’t be surprised if there was play in the steering box.
I LOVE MOOG!!
It’s likely they caught the problem before excessive play started causing
major wear on bar. On some, the passenger side bolt gets battered so badly
that the bolt’s body is thinned down 2mm or more. This creates play in the
system that can cause shimmy or wobble and beat the crap out of the
mounting holes. Good rule of thumb is to replace the rightside bolt and nut
when you replace the bar.
Trucks are not afraid to get dirty (grin). Old trucks are made of heavy
steel. Only ‘pussy’ truck makers put plastic covers and paint on
undercarriage parts. With such heavy steel, makers of old models aren’t too
worried about a little superficial rust. This truck wasn’t expected to
survive to the point of gasoline at $4.00 a gallon. Gee, we could make up a
Letterman top ten list, ha ha.I’ll bet you guys could give me a few other
cogent answers. Thanks for watching!
Good repair