How much play should a trac bar have in it if any? I have had two people look at it and got two different answers. Both were qualified {I think} front end techs. The first one said I needed to replace Trac bar, tie rod ends, right drag link,and all the rest of the associated parts--total 500 bucks plus. The second guy who looked at the front end said Dodge always has some movement in the trac bar and that they had recalls on them but alot kept coming in so they raised their tolerances. He said mine looks as though it was within the tolerances. It steers fine and handles well. Got 105,000 miles on it. Then he said there's my truck over there. His ride is a 96 Dodge Cummins 3/4 ton 4x4 {another brother, young enogh to be my kid} but sharp. I showed him my guages and we went into the Dodge diesel stuff. He is also an advid reader of our forums. So I guess I need some back up on the fix it or don't fix it. He said he would check on it after I get back from my 6,000 mile trip from Oregon to Alabama to see my son in the Army. He also said it wouldn't be 500 bucks--Thanks all --Ray

 

The tolerance is very small, basically if you can see it move it's wasted. Have someone turn the steering wheel back and forth while you watch the driver's side.

 

Thanks Bill for the post, do you think it will be ok for that trip?
Also guages worked out great after your advise and directions I will try to send some pictures of the guages.{If they can't go I'll try to PM them} One thing I did was to mount my pod with screws instead of those plastic nails. After the first disassembly they went away. So I used some self taping screws that will make it easier for on and off adjust or servicing, painted the screws to match. --thanks--Ray

 

It will be ok for your trip, you'll just have to concentrate more to stay on the road and it can cause faster tire wear. If you have time before leaving install a $63 Luke's Link, they work great. Info here- http://www.lukeslink.com/

 

I think I will fix the problem before we leave. First I have an extended warranty that covers the truck untill 111,000 miles or 2005 which ever comes first, right now I'm at 105,100 miles. The warranty is in the previous owners name who I know. The warranty people have an adjuster that comes out after a couple of days when he gets around to it and oks the operation if it meets the policy requirements of the warranty. If this doesn't go I'll have to do what you proposed it looks as though a person would have to install 5 @ $63.00. Unless all do not have to be replaced. ---Thanks, Ray

 

the main one to wear and most of the issues are at the trac-bar link from what I have heard

 

I just checked the movement of the trac bar and it seems as though the only one that has any major movement to it is the rod end at the frame on the passenger side. I will wait to pursue this untill Monday if the Dodge dealer accepts my extended warranty and wants to fix more than that I will go with them if they say no go, I'll replace the end myself with a lukes. Thanks for the input !--Ray

 

OOPS! I mean movement on the drivers side!