I just bought a 1998.5 CTD 2500 L.B. QC 4x4 5-spd 179,000 miles.I had her inspected,to find out where I stand,with the truck.I need some advice on front end parts,Stock wheels and no lift kit on the truck,I need upper and lower ball joints.Upper and lower tie rod ends.Tracking bar,is the piston by the tracking bar part of this unit,or after market.What are good products for the front ends on these trucks and what would be the best set-up on a medium budget.I will be towing a 8000lbs,maybe 6000 miles a year.I also have the leaking vacuum seal.I would like to try and do all the work myself,save money to buy more tools!!!!!.I invite any input,thoughts,ideas or suggestions.Thanks in advance for your time.

 

Welcome! Autozone, Luke's Link, or Thuren Fab for front end parts. I also heard something about a DSS stearing stabilizer. For the track bar, do either a Luke's link or go with Thuren as any OEM replacement (even Moog) will crap out agian. Lots of info on this subject. Just search around the site.

 

I just had my entire front end rebuilt and would highly suggest the Thuren trac bar and Moog or Dana ball joints. My truck is a whole different machine now, the difference in steering feel is incredible. BTW, you're probably looking at over $1000.00 to do all this. Get the best parts you can. The stock trac bars are garbage and once they start to go they take everything else with them. NAPA has a lifetime trac bar for these trucks and some of the guys say they don't have a very long life but are replaced as needed by NAPA no problems. However, as the trac bar joint wears it causes undue wear on the ball joints and tie rod ends also, leading to another full rebuild. The Thuren is about $100 more than the other trac bars but well worth it and Don Thuren has great customer service. Good luck and welcome to the site, Kurt