xp8103

So far the only complaint I have had with the Silver Ghost is the steering. I noticed it on the drive home and had I had more time, I would have gone back to the dealer in NY before getting all the way here. But it seemed to wander and was unresponsive to little inputs from the steering wheel. I let both my wife and my Dad drive it and they both said the same thing.
I took it into my local Dodge dealer and they diagnosed it as a worn track bar. Apparently it's replacement is a "new and improved" unit with the ball joint being the n and i part. I had my 60/3000 warranty in hand but of course, the part wasn't covered. $400 thank you. They replaced it and yes, much better now. But now that I am not sawing the steering wheel I noticed that I need a front end alignment.
The service manager here locally said that, had I bought it from them, they would have replaced it at no charge even tho is wasn't covered since it was still within the 30 day window.
I got a courtesy call from the salesman I bought it from over the weekend and he left a message.
I sent him an email this morning, baiting him to pony up. We'll see....

Stay tuned...

Dr. Evil

NEVER replace with a factory track bar they are junk - there are two fixes - a DT trackbar: http://www.dodgeram.info/tech/mods/trackbar/ or a DSS with a third gen trackbar: (couldnt find the link)

xp8103

Too late! Done already. Supposedly, this one is better than the original. I'll let you know in 50,000 miles...

KatDiesel

I had one replaced at about 20,000miles (warranty). and at 50,000miles I had to Lukes Link it because it was wore out again. Lukes Linked all the tierods as well while it was apart.

xp8103

If this one goes anytime soon, I will Lukes Link it too. But where it's so new (to me), I didn't want to do anything myself.

Crimedog

I am finally going to pony up the big ones for a DT bar. This winter we just can't afford to have the truck down because of a stupid track bar. It is our main plow truck and if it goes down we are scrambling! Gonna call today and order. It hurts to pay that much, but if I never have to deal with it again it will be worth it.

HOHN

Love my DT bar. Made a nice improvement over stock, even with only 20K miles!!

xp8103

My only concern is that while I feel I could install something like the DT, I don't have the wherewithall to completely take care of my front end. My local Dodge dealer is pretty reputable (their lead diesel mech has been there for 20 years) and I fear adding something like that will make getting other service more difficult.
The Lukes Links seem much more innocuous and are something that I will consider.

Dodge Demon

Get Solid Steels new Track Bar Bracket which allows one to put on the 03 and 04 track bar on 94 t0 02 trucks,once this change over is done its probably good for the life of the truck,got one on my 01-4wd-quad cab Diesel and love it,took the last little bit of wondering steering out. Dss Steering Bracket and Dss track bar bracket with 03 track bar makes it steer like a caddy.Try this-www.solidsteel.biz-copy and paste this addy,I dont know how to make a link.

xp8103

Yes, thinkig of the DSS steering bracket tho.

Dr.Kayak

My story is about the same: Track Bar replaced under warranty at 12k miles, The improvement to the ball was an addition of a greese fitting. It lasted to 40k. Out of warranty so I went with the DSS 04 conversion. I recomend it.

xp8103

The salesman from the dealership I bought the truck from just called me. He had received my email and we discussed the part. He said he was not sure why they would have missed something like that there unless their guys didn't think it was something that was so bad as needing changing.
He also said that the price I was charged was excessive. That the Chrysler MSRP for the part was $269 ($289?? No.. I think $269). My local dealer charged me $301 for it. He said that it takes 20 minutes to put one on. Ok.. more closely, half and hour to 40 minutes. I was watching the mechanic thru the shop window the whole time. They charge $60 an hour labor, my shop here, $66. He said that their cost for the part is something in the low $200's and said that they would charge something on the order of $250 or $260 for the whole job. I find that a little hard to believe. Tack on $15 in tax and $20 for "MISC SHOP SUPPLIES" plus 20 minutes or so of diagnosis time.
All of that was to get me ready for their offer of a check for $300. I took it. Fair enough.

xp8103

Doc,
If this comes up again, I will DEFINITELY go that way.

However, I think that the DSS is going to be a must have very soon. Going to get a front end alignment next week.