Just thought I would share my latest experience with the track bar.

As some of you know, I replaced EVERYTHING on the front end no more than 3000 miles ago, every single part with the exception of the hub assemblies which were in good shape.

On tuesday night, i was driving on the expressway . BAM death wobble like i have never had before.
I mean it shook everything, everything in the cab was thrown all over.

Long story short, i pulled over, couldnt see anything, limped off the highway, I couldnt maintain more than 10 miles an hour without the shaking coming back.

Parked it, was able to see the track bar was shot, so in the morning of the 4th luckily some parts shops were open, took the old one off, replaced the new one.

To my suprise the track bar had easily an inch and a half of play in it. the pin had almost pushed itself through the bottom of the assembly, could see stress cracking on the flat surface where the zerk screws into.

Just another track bar swap, thought some might be interested, especially since it was a brand new part.

 

For $60 you might think about putting a new Lukes Link on that new trac bar end, it will never wear out like a new one. Its adustable also.

 

I went thru the same thing with my ball joints and pass. side tie-rod end. I replaced them, and within 3,200miles, everything was shot. And yes, I did grease the ball joints when I put them in, the tie-rod end was a sealed unit.

 

If your steering components truly wear out in 3000 miles there is something wrong causing the extremely fast wear. Did you have the truck aligned when you replaced all the components? Checked the thrust angle on the truck? Had your wheels/tires balanced? Oversized or old tires? Just a few ideas to think about. Also, have you thought about putting in a 3rd gen conversion bracket and a super boss trackbar like the Thuren bar? I just put mine on today and it is quite nice. I highly reccomend it.
R

 

right after all parts went on, brand new tires, aligned next day. Im thinking a flaw in the part, but all fixed now.

Oh, and I had a lukes link on, was perfect for about 60,000. then i couldnt tighten it in any more, ill need to rebuild the link and put it back on next time.

 

I guess i must be a lucky one i have 35 000 miles on the same front end that came under my used truck , with the exception of one wheel bearing , and one track bar ( i went to one with a lifetime warranty)

 

I just put on the 3rd gen retrofit from PDR.It took less time to put on than it took DHL to lose the brackets in outer space.I cant speak for the other fixes but this sure made an improvement.All I need now is a new sterring box and the DSS

 

Then I am even MORE lucky. 350,000 and the only I have replaced is the steering stabilizer, 2 wheel bearings and, the trac bar. Truck has been aligned 3 times since 65,000 miles. I get 65-75k on tires.

I am sure I could use some new shocks.

 

Put me down as lucky too. 150,000 miles and one track bar, one steering damper and one set of front brake pads.