Hey guys i have a real problem about 2 weeks ago i noticed a wabble from the front end of my rig, took it to a shop they told me the ball joints were bad, i said ok replace them. So they did truck was fine for about 3 or 4 days now at highway speeds it will develop a shimmy you can feel in the wheel and floor board. It lasts bout 10 to 15 seconds, and then smooths out but its getting noticable worse with miles. Someone told me the tract bar was bad does that soung logical? Im leavin for vacation in 3 days and am suposed to be takin it any ideas.

 

I would check the trackbar. With the truck OFF, have someone run the wheel back and forth while looking underneath. The trackbag goes from the axle to the frame (2 connections). if there is any movement at either end its bad. Real easy to swap.

 

how easy to swap and were do i get the parts

Right on UAW Local 751 Decatur

 

Its 2 bolts one on the frame end (drivers side) and one on the axle end (passenger side). its a 3' bar that runs horizontally along the axle. It has a bend in it, and is about 1" in diameter. You will need someone in the cab to move the wheel for you so you can line up the bolts. It should take you less than an hour, for the first time doing it.
NAPA sells MOOG trackbars.
I just bought one at autozone because it has a lifetime warranty, and these trucks love to eat them. I have heard of some people changing the every 6 months.
Its nice to have some union brothers on the forum.

 

About what does the whole operation cost?

 

I want to say the trackbar is right around $200.

 

Hope the local Napa or Autozone will have one.

 

Yeah, they usually have them in stock.

 

I live in a small town 5800 people

 

Yes, but a VERY common problem on Chryslers cruddy steering setup. Thats why I said they should have it in stock.

 

Yeah between the ball joints and the steering box bout $2000.00

 

Front end work isnt easy or cheap. My brother has a 6 car garage with a small house attached to it LOL. We have been tooling up for quite a while now.
Miller 135 mig.
Miller 304cc/cv tig/stick inverter.
20 ton press.
Jet bandsaw and drill press.
And a bunch of other goodies.
Looking for a nice milling machine.

I cant stand paying or trust someone else to fix my cars/trucks.

 

All i have is a small 110 miller in my garage, i do enough weldin at work, i weld the frames for the Caterpillar 797, worlds largest mining truck, 400 Ton!!!!!!!!

 

Nice!!!
I am a certified x-ray welder/pipefitter.
I have been out at the Mobile refinery in Channahon doing 36" pipe and under x-rays, for a new project they have there. Some of the pipe I am doing is XX heavy. For an example a piece of 6" XX heavy has a 1" wall.

 

I have abuddy who is an xray welder, he has been working up north in your area at a refinnery. All we do at Cat is mig and tig, i spent all last night fillin a weld in the front frame rail, that is 4 inches wide and 9 inches deep, and 28 inches long, to fill and cap that weld it takes about 6 hours. HOT AS HELL