Ever since I installed the track bar....I have a clunk felt in the steering wheel and under my leftt foot on the floor. Everything is tight in the front end....with the exception of the right lower ball joint, but it is within spec. Any ideas?

 

Id check to see if the ball end is moving around in there. New doesnt necessarily mean perfect =(
Have someone turn the wheels while youre looking at the ball end of the trackbar

 

I'm 100% sure its your trackbar... thats how i know when to change mine...

Did you use a Moog or some knockoff AutoZone brand?

 

its the adjustable thoren unit

 

Well then it isn't the trackbar if it is Don's design. I suspect it has something to do with the conversion bracket. They suck. Mine came with the holes misaligned for the trackbar bolt. Now I have to figure out how to fix it with no shop available to use.
R

 

I had to ream the hole that goes through the frame....but it is bolted up tight. I did have to adjust My steering wheel....it was off 90 degrees to the left. Should it have been adjusted with the track bar instead of the the method the instructions included....the tie rad at the steering box. Also, since mine is adjustable.....what is the proper procedure for setting it up?

 

hey there, just signed up!!

I think you and I have the same problem! I have just replaced the shocks and track bar to try and cure the clunk under my left foot but its still there.

the rest of my front end is tight as can be and yet i still get a small vibration and a clunk, you would swear its a bad balljoint or wheelbearing but everything is good?? now I have back and forth feed back on the steering wheel when I'm turning. WTH?

I've even tore up the floor to check the body mount and it seems to be good as well.

Did you find your prob yet??? I still got some people to talk to about it so if I find any thing I'll let u know

thanks

and its a
98 4x4 reg cab 24v auto.

 

Im having the same problem and I have a thuren trackbar too.
In my case I can see the bar moving up and down over the ball stud. Wont know whats really going on until I can get under there and look.
Don's been real helpful but cant do much until I get that info for him. Looks to me like maybe I wore out the collar that surrounds the ball.

 

I had the same problem on my 99, i figured track bar, tie rods, ball joints, etc...took it to the shop, was a worn steering shaft/column, about $150 bucks. Had about a 1/4 play in it. They said everything else was good, replaced the steering shaft and the pop/bang was gone, still have the steering wander, going to get a DSS to see if that'll fix that.

 

I had the clunk and bought a www.rocksolidsteering.com rebuild kit and it worked fine. You might also want to check the shock bolts/nuts and make sure they are crazy tight.

 

How much of a job was it to install? I think I may need it in my truck.

 

I didn't take out the column so it was pretty easy...only took me 3 beers.

 

I have the adjustable track bar and found that it needs to be "super" tight. once I got it tightened, it eliminated about 80% of the clunk......still a little bit there when turning over bumps but nothing like before. I am wondering if it is the steering shaft going to the box.

 

hamilton71801, I've been thinking about the rocksoildsteering, did it help the "wandering effect"? So you don't have to remove the column? I looked at their website, sure don't give you much information, I watched the mechanic install my new steering column, I didn't want to remove it, looked kinda like a pain in the ****.

 

It's been a while since I did it but if I remember right on the manuals you definately don't have to remover the column and on the auto it's optional. I have little hands and had just enough room. First remove the steering shaft that goes to the steering box. Then get a die grinder and cut the spring retainer off..be careful not to cut too much. I cut about 2/3 thru then used a long chisel to break the other 1/3 off. I believe everything should just fall out, double check before you start installing the new bushing. Use a light sandpaper to clean up the steering column and then put a fine coat of good grease on it. Next, just intall the bushing per instructions but don't get too overly excited about making it bottom out because on mine I still have about 1/8" sticking out. Put your steering shaft back on and test drive.

Now some tips. When you unhook your steering shaft, use a bungee cord or something to keep the wheel from turning. I got mine off center and eventually broke the clockspring trying to center it back up. When the temps fall below 40 degrees my steering gets harder to turn. I called the guy that made it and he said that it has something to do with the expansion of either the metal column or bushing (he was talking techincal and I lost interest) so I can't really get into the science of it. I made it better by getting another 3 beers and taking it all apart and sanding down the inside of the bushing a little so it wouldn't be so tight (if you do have to take it back out and it's stuck, a good tip is to put a small screw in the bushing and use a screwdriver to pry between the screw and shaft, just be careful). Worked good and although it didn't completely stop the wondering effect, it helped but I think my steering shaft is a little loose.

For the money, it's a good mod and you get to tinker with your truck.