Track bar question.
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Elder User
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 862
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From: eastern shore,MD
Track bar question.
i pulled my track bar out the other day to drop rear and change leaf spring bushings. when i tried to put it back in it will not line up. i tried every thing, jacking rear up, taking it all the way down. will not go. It was under a lot of tenison when i pulled it out. i think the problem might be i have too much lift and not enough drop on the track bar bracket. when i installed the lift 5 years ago. the lift company ( will not say names) sent me a add-a-leaf to put in the front because there spring keep sagging. said they do it all the time. the lift started life as a 4" when i took the truck off the lift the add-a-leaf took it to 5.5 inches. the track bar and every thing under the truck was for a 4 inch lift. never worried about it any more. until yesterday when i could not get the track bar back in. i have ordered a adjustable track bar to fix this problem.
my qestion is. do i install and adjust the new track bar with the weight on the truck or with no weight on the springs? any help or ideas?
my qestion is. do i install and adjust the new track bar with the weight on the truck or with no weight on the springs? any help or ideas?
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,498
Likes: 3
From: Windsor, Colorado
Don't know the answer to your last questions. If it is still a little off after turning the wheels like Chase mentioned, loosen the upper bracket a bit, slide the bolt in and tighten up the bracket.
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Elder User
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 862
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From: eastern shore,MD
so will my factory track bar work with the drop bracket for a 4'' lift even though it has 5.5 inches of lift? or should i get a adjustable one?
More Turbo
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 571
Likes: 8
If you end up getting an adjustable track bar sky manufacturing makes a good one for a good price.
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Elder User
Joined: Mar 2009
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From: eastern shore,MD
so the question should i get a adjustable one? or just put my stock one back in with the drop bracket?
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Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2008
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From: West Tx
Make sure you have the axle centered under the truck and all should be good. If you have changed the geometry of the front end track bar linkages, you need to get the length of track bar to be the same as stock if you use the drop bracket. If you don't, you will rip the track bar mount off the axle. Ask me how I know haha. My truck is at the same ride height as x codes and it has broken off twice now. Doesn't help that the axle bar mount is a POS designed by a 5 year old though
Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,679
Likes: 370
From: Fallon,NV & Bainbridge OH
The answer that no one clearly gave you is "Get an Adjustable Bar" As you have changed your suspension you are going have to make your axle centered under the front of truck. Install the adjustable bar, check your axle for center on the body/frame with weight on it and make corrections as needed to make the axle centered. Drive it around the block, street, dirt road, what ever it is where you live and then re-check it and adjust as needed. You don't want your truck "crabbing" down the road because the front axle sticks out one side while the rear is centered, get them both centered.
Good luck.
Good luck.
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2008
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From: West Tx
If he can find a drop bracket that can give him the same mouting location as stock for the upper end, I don't see why he would need an adj track bar... But hey, the adjustability would be nice in case he changes to a different lift or something.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,771
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From: Louisiana
I think the braacket would be kinda hit and miss where as the adjustable track bar you could fine tune it. Also if your suspinsion was in that bad of a bind and you had it aligned for that you may need the alignment adjusted to get your wheel back straight.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,679
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From: Fallon,NV & Bainbridge OH
That is why I suggest the adjustable bar, loads change, suspensions settle, etc.... Having the adjustability is better IMO as most of us plan on keeping our trucks for the long haul and as we and the trucks change it can be adjusted again and again, besides who says that it was right to begin with, this way you know it is right.
of American machinists
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,014
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From: NORTH IDAHO
I would get the adjustable bar, here is why. The adjustable bar and the drop bracket do different jobs, the drop bracket is to return the trac bar to being parallel with the drag link (very important) The adjustable bar lets you get your front axle centered perfectly. A combo of both should have you sitting nice and centered with your drag link and trac bar being nice and parallel as well
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Elder User
Joined: Mar 2009
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From: eastern shore,MD
thank you all for all you info. i have ordered a adj track bar. if i am reading all this right, keep the drop bracket on and use the adj track bar. center the axle up with frame and get a front end alignment which i have to do anyway. Right?