Track Bar Mount.
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Elder User
Joined: Sep 2008
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From: TALLAHASSEE FL
Track Bar Mount.
Can someone post a photo of the bottom track bar mount. Where the Bar connects to the axle.
Looking to see what the STOCK setup looks like.
I bought my truck in 2006 and the PO has an add a leaf on the front spring pack. There are 3 springs instead of two. Also the lower Track bar mount has black paint peeling off it revealing a Red paint under it. Im assuming when the PO installed the springs he got a bottom bracket for the track bar to relocate it.
Long story short I'm looking to replace the springs, they are shot and was looking to get the X code or High Arch X codes i spoke with ATS about.
Basically wondering if i will need to purchase an adjustable track bar as well.
Looking to see what the STOCK setup looks like.
I bought my truck in 2006 and the PO has an add a leaf on the front spring pack. There are 3 springs instead of two. Also the lower Track bar mount has black paint peeling off it revealing a Red paint under it. Im assuming when the PO installed the springs he got a bottom bracket for the track bar to relocate it.
Long story short I'm looking to replace the springs, they are shot and was looking to get the X code or High Arch X codes i spoke with ATS about.
Basically wondering if i will need to purchase an adjustable track bar as well.
CNCFAB
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 4,874
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I have not seen too many people relocate the trac bar mount at the axle connection, most spring kits give an extended upper mount for it. On just a leveling spring addition that itself isnt always needed. On higher front lifts most utilize an adjustable track bar.
If you have a different then stock bracket at the axle, it is very likely its an aftermarket one that replaced the oem one that may have broken (not uncommon)
If you have a different then stock bracket at the axle, it is very likely its an aftermarket one that replaced the oem one that may have broken (not uncommon)
Super Moderator
Joined: Dec 2011
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ESwift, E99, Egads, where's your steering stabilizer?
Your bracket where it should be is all bent up.
What socket size is the flange bolt head on the lower bolt of your track bar? (where it mounts to the axle bracket in question).
The lower track bar to axle bracket bolt on my 2000 appears to have a larger bolt head size than yours. I went out and did what I am asking you to do, and found that my lower track bar bolt takes a 30mm socket.
What I don't know is if this is due to a design update for vehicles built on or after 3/21/1999, or if this is due to my truck being an F-550, as there a couple of linkage differences between 450/550 chassis cabs compared to 250/350 counterparts on otherwise similar front ends.
Your bracket where it should be is all bent up.
What socket size is the flange bolt head on the lower bolt of your track bar? (where it mounts to the axle bracket in question).
The lower track bar to axle bracket bolt on my 2000 appears to have a larger bolt head size than yours. I went out and did what I am asking you to do, and found that my lower track bar bolt takes a 30mm socket.
What I don't know is if this is due to a design update for vehicles built on or after 3/21/1999, or if this is due to my truck being an F-550, as there a couple of linkage differences between 450/550 chassis cabs compared to 250/350 counterparts on otherwise similar front ends.
CNCFAB
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 4,874
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Had no stabilizer on it when I bought it, amd I havent gotten to it yet
I will check the bolt size on my e99, I can check on my 2000 as well. I know they revamped the bracket at some point in 99, I believe to lift the sway bar up an inch.
I believe the 2000+ had a 1" diameter trac bar as well vs the earlier 3/4" that you see in my e99 pics
I will check the bolt size on my e99, I can check on my 2000 as well. I know they revamped the bracket at some point in 99, I believe to lift the sway bar up an inch.
I believe the 2000+ had a 1" diameter trac bar as well vs the earlier 3/4" that you see in my e99 pics
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Elder User
Joined: Sep 2008
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From: TALLAHASSEE FL
Thanks guys
YEP mine looks NOTHING like that.
I will try and get a picture tonight and post it.
Eswift can you get one of your 2000 model truck .
My build date was 6/99 on my door sticker.
YEP mine looks NOTHING like that.
I will try and get a picture tonight and post it.
Eswift can you get one of your 2000 model truck .
My build date was 6/99 on my door sticker.
Super Moderator
Joined: Dec 2011
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[utag=member.php?u=482071]bakerbuilttracks[/utag] There are a number of aftermarket fabrication companies who have designed and reproduced weldable bracketry to repair or replace the OEM track bar mounts that tear apart with lifts.
If you post a photo of your lower track bar bracket, some of us might be able to tell you right away if it is an OEM or an aftermarket weld on bracket.
If you post a photo of your lower track bar bracket, some of us might be able to tell you right away if it is an OEM or an aftermarket weld on bracket.
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Elder User
Joined: Sep 2008
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From: TALLAHASSEE FL
Awesome
will do , i will try and get the photo tonight.
Its not my DD anymore just my weekend toy mover LOL
will do , i will try and get the photo tonight.
Its not my DD anymore just my weekend toy mover LOL
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CNCFAB
Joined: Apr 2020
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Regardless, they all look the same, I will get pics of plow truck, the 7.3 has been being borrowed by my friend for 3 months. His 2003 7.3 is here waiting a zf6 swap, I can look at that track bar mount as well
Hope all that didnt give you a headache 🤣 🤕
CNCFAB
Joined: Apr 2020
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To me that kind of looks like an add on bracket that just bolts onto stock mount and then lets the bar mount higher?
is it removable to use the stock mount?
I would say if you can, you shouldnt need to spend the money on an adjustable trac bar. I am not a fan of them.
I have x codes with 2or3 added leafs on the front of my service truck, I am using all original track bar and mounts, I do have the lowered upper track bar mount that came with the add a leaf kit, but I didnt need it(I didnt use all 5 added springs)
is it removable to use the stock mount?
I would say if you can, you shouldnt need to spend the money on an adjustable trac bar. I am not a fan of them.
I have x codes with 2or3 added leafs on the front of my service truck, I am using all original track bar and mounts, I do have the lowered upper track bar mount that came with the add a leaf kit, but I didnt need it(I didnt use all 5 added springs)
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 8,259
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From: Northern California
your stock lower track bar mount is intact. somebody added the extension.
if you can post a pic from the front looking back that shows the relationship of the track bar to the tie rod as well as a pic of your upper tack bar mount and the pitman arm.
the reason being the track bar and tie rod must be parallel or you will get bump steer, this is typically done by using a drop upper track bar mount and a matching drop pit man arm.
me thinks with your modified lower mount the track bar and tie rod are no longer parallel and you will want to correct this by removing that extension and either using a longer track bar or lowering the upper track bar mount and pitman arm. which one you can use or will need to do will be dependent on the working angle of the tie rod ends.
if you can post a pic from the front looking back that shows the relationship of the track bar to the tie rod as well as a pic of your upper tack bar mount and the pitman arm.
the reason being the track bar and tie rod must be parallel or you will get bump steer, this is typically done by using a drop upper track bar mount and a matching drop pit man arm.
me thinks with your modified lower mount the track bar and tie rod are no longer parallel and you will want to correct this by removing that extension and either using a longer track bar or lowering the upper track bar mount and pitman arm. which one you can use or will need to do will be dependent on the working angle of the tie rod ends.
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Joined: May 2014
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From: Lake Hartwell, GA
@ESwift , my 2000 F-250 did not have a stabilizer when I bought it either and the U-shaped mount looked like yours. I was able to use a pry bar and a large crescent wrench to bend it back into shape. A friend of mine from my previous profession was installing a dual stabilizer setup on his truck, so he gave me the OEM stabilizer parts off his 2003 for free. I bought a Bilstein stablizer and have been good since.
@bakerbuilttracks , there is a thread in the 7.3L PSD Tech Folder that has some more details and images that may be of use to you during your project. I have linked it below for quick access.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...l#post13812037
@bakerbuilttracks , there is a thread in the 7.3L PSD Tech Folder that has some more details and images that may be of use to you during your project. I have linked it below for quick access.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...l#post13812037
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