Trac bar?
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 203
Likes: 6
From: Port St Lucie, FL
Trac bar?
Well I just got the news from the shop that my trac bar is broken or going to be soon or somthing like that and before I have them replace it I want to check for myself and see if it really is. You guys have any suggestions on how to check the trac bar? I have had this ugly vibration in the front end and have had my tires balanced three times now and last one was road forced balanced and they still couldn't find anything wrong but now there saying they found the trac bar to be the problem. Does this make any sense to you guys. I have no idea what the trac bar does or where it is so any help would be great.
Elder User
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 616
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From: Tax Happy Hanover Pa
The trac bar locates the front differential under the frame. One end is attached to the differential the other is attached to the frame. If you look under the truck from the front, you'll see it. It attaches to the frame on the driver's side, above the axle,and runs down on an angle to the front differential on the passenger side. If I remember correctly, it has two defined angles bent into it.
Do you have a lift kit on the truck? If so, do you have a trac bar drop bracket? I've seen broken trac bar drop brackets. I mean anything's possible, but I've never personally seen one break.
I would imagine, if it is actually broke, it would definitely cause a vibration. You'd probably have to take it off and inspect it under bright light unless it's dreadfully obvious that it's broke. But if that's the case, someone should have caught it earlier.
Do you have a lift kit on the truck? If so, do you have a trac bar drop bracket? I've seen broken trac bar drop brackets. I mean anything's possible, but I've never personally seen one break.
I would imagine, if it is actually broke, it would definitely cause a vibration. You'd probably have to take it off and inspect it under bright light unless it's dreadfully obvious that it's broke. But if that's the case, someone should have caught it earlier.
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 203
Likes: 6
From: Port St Lucie, FL
Ya I don't think that it is obvious because I agree that when I just had the truck aligned they should have caught it. But no I do not have a lift on the truck, and I don't think the bar is broken yet or broken in an obvious place that is, they told me it is on its last leg and needs to be replaced soon, when I called them back. They said that it was the cause of the vibration, so I just wasn't sure if a trac bar could cause a vibration or if they were just telling me somthing to get me off there back about the vibration. And if I were to take if off and inspect it what would I be looking for? Again thank you for all the help.
Elder User
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 616
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From: Tax Happy Hanover Pa
It's a bar just as implied. It's round tubing w/ ends welded to it. I'd be looking for cracks in the welds or if the ends are cracked. It really should be obvious.
I'd also check your steering stabilizer. Tie rod ends?? Could be anything. I'd pull that trac bar and check it out first or get a second opinion. Just make sure you climb under it w/ a drop light or something and look at that bar before you drive off. Or ask them to put it on the rack, and have them show you what their seeing. If they won't, get another shop.
I'd also check your steering stabilizer. Tie rod ends?? Could be anything. I'd pull that trac bar and check it out first or get a second opinion. Just make sure you climb under it w/ a drop light or something and look at that bar before you drive off. Or ask them to put it on the rack, and have them show you what their seeing. If they won't, get another shop.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 23,174
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From: Stephensville WI
Unless your front wheels took a real hard hit from the side or your bar was defective in the first place, I'd be hard pressed to explain how a trac bar was broke or even damaged.
Are you sure this shop isn't blowing smoke up your skirt to sell you more stuff?
Are you sure this shop isn't blowing smoke up your skirt to sell you more stuff?
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 203
Likes: 6
From: Port St Lucie, FL
This was the next thing I was planning on. Have them show me where its bad while they have it on the rack. As well they said my steering stabilizer is bad. I did not think this would cause a vibration though. Sounds like I will take a trip back ove there and have them show me what there talking about and possibly get my track bar and stabilizer replaced. Thank you to everyone for all the replies, just do not want to get taken advantage of here not knowing what there talking about.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 183
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From: Michigan
I dont think a broke or cracked track arm would cause a vib. in the front, I would think it might make banging noise when the susp. bounces up or down. I had the track arm off my 01 for 2 weeks until I got my custom one made, and had the one on my 03 off for 4 days while I made a longer arm out of suspension tube and himes, I never had any vib. from this.
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Lead Driver
Joined: May 2003
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From: Lyndonville, Vermont
I have heard of ends going bad. The bolts are really tight. They are really beefy also.
Easy to see under the truck..
Dick
Easy to see under the truck..
Dick
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Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 203
Likes: 6
From: Port St Lucie, FL
Well I am clean out of ideas. I went back last night and they said they were busy of course. So I do not think that is the problem any more, I think they were just telling me somthing so I would leave them alone. So this weeekend looks like I will be takeing it to the other truck shop and seeing what they have to say. If anyone has any other ideas on what it could be I would love to hear them, I am open for anything at this point. I looked at the bar last night and it didn't even worn or borken or anything so I really think it is somthing else. Thank you for all your replies and keep emm comming if you have anything else you think it might be.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 23,174
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From: Stephensville WI
Before you do that, try rotating your tires front to back to see if that doesn't help.
Vibration can be caused by a balanced but "out of round" tire. Moving that tire to the back axle might help.
Vibration can be caused by a balanced but "out of round" tire. Moving that tire to the back axle might help.