That doesn't make much sense, are you saying the factory bolt wouldn't pass thru the mis-alignment spacers or the bushing?

 

Thanks for the insight. I didn't hear any sounds coming from the front end today but i wasn't really listening for anything. If i hear anything though, i will get under there and see if i can torque the bolts down a bit further.

 

it wouldn't pass through the polyurethane bushing on one side of the Thuren track bar nor the heim joint on the other side.

 

Its some kind of Acetal bushing btw. Now I recall Don having me check the bolts on the track bar (I think it was the track bar) when I ordered mine. Man, a year goes by and it all goes into the bit bucket.

I guess it doesn't matter now because you worked the issue but I would like to know now if thats the case.

What are you going to do, call Thuren?

 

I plan on letting Don know so he knows to investigate any possible changes in the '08 trucks but, other than that, it works fine as is. I used high quality hardware and it is working for now. If i run into any issues due to the smaller sized bolts down the line I suppose I will call Don and see if he can change out the bushings to one of a larger diameter. Until something breaks, however, i think it is fine as-is.

 

UPDATE: I got ahold of Don last week and let him know about the size difference. He said that he must have shipped my track bar right as he was investigating the changes. Apparently, Dodge made a switch in the 2007 model year from 14mm bolts to 16mm bolts for the OEM track bar. Don said he even saw a couple at his dealership with a 14mm bolt on one side, a 16mm bolt on the other. Mine (2008 year model) had 16mm bolts on both sides. Go figure, another brilliant move by Chrysler engineers...

So, Don sent me a replacement sleeve for the bushing and replacement heim joint spacers that fit my OEM 16mm bolts. I installed them today. There was no gouging of my factory holes for having 14mm bolts in there for the past 5000 miles and everything looked good to go, but Don and I agreed that it was better to be safe than sorry. That speaks alot for the guys customer service.

Anyway, just a heads up for any future track bar buyers. If you've got a 2007 model year pickup, you might want to get under there ahead of time and figure out what size bolts you have. If you have an '08, you've likely got 16mm bolts and not 14mm bolts like the 03-06's do.

Also, after installing previously at 39 1/8" I noticed the more I looked at the truck that the axle was still slightly off center. So, while I had it out to replace the sleeves/spacers, i spun the heim joint one full revolution longer. I didn't bother to measure it again before reinstalling but, looking at it after installation, it looks like the axle is dead on. I checked for clearance and there appears to be ample clearance in any way the suspension can articulate so I don't see any problem with 1 turn over 39 1/8" (best guess is it is 39 1/4" or so as it seemed one turn = ~1/8" length). If anything adverse happens in the future with regards to this length, i will post it here for reference sake.

 

Hey dudes if I have a 6in lift can I still use the track bar? Thanks

 

Yes, Don makes track bars for the bigger lifts. Call him and he can get you set up.



BroncoHound, you will probably be fine on the length, but if the track bar is off too much, you can start bashing buckets and other stuff under your front end. Like I said earlier, I have a 3" lift and my track bar is set at 39 1/16", straight from Don's mouth.

 

Thanks brother

 

Broncohound,
How did the Thuren bar work out for you? I am looking at buying one also.....

How long did Don take at getting it made and shipped?

 

If you call or email him tomorrow, and place an order, you will have it by the time your lift kit will be on. That is, if you havent ordered your kit yet.

 

It is a definite improvement over the stock bar. Much stronger and heavier metal. I am pleased with it.

Mine took about 2 1/2 weeks to get built and shipped. However, this was right about the time CA had those wild fires a few months ago, and the fires came within 200 yards of Don's shop, so he was forced by his better half to evacuate for a couple of days which delayed my shipment...

 

I've been running my Thuren track bar for 5k miles or so and at first the bushing was squeeking, now i have noticed a clunking from the front end. Assumed it was ball joints going but i was looking at my track bar the other day and it was really loose at the frame mount! It actually looks like the UHMW bushing has seperated a little and the track bar can move forward and back (relative to truck) in the horizontal and rotate slightly. Doesn't seem like there is much side 2 side movement when i have someone move the steering wheel, but i wouldn't think it should be this loose. Checked the bolts and they seem plenty tight.

Anyone else w/ one of these track bars experience this? Could the bolts be 2 loose? Thoughts? Also heard Don is putting grease fittings on now to grease the bushings.

 

My bar has a heim joint on one end and a white plastic bushing on the other end. The white plastic bushing end does have a small concave hole for grease.

 

You should check the boltsanyway but the axle moves up and down and front to back (Kind like a hoola hoop) and I think the bar pivots on the bushing about 10 deg front to back and the bushing is cut special to do this. If the flanged sides of the bushing are pinching the outer sleeve the bar won't pivot correctly.