Hi all,
Help, I bought a replacement track bar, from Auto Zone, for my 99 Ram 2500 4x4. After I finished the install and took the truck for a test drive, my steering wheel is off centered. I checked the axle centering and it's 1/2 inch over on the passenger side. I measured the new track bar against the original, and sure enough it is 1/2 inch longer.
Now I'm stuck, I destroyed the old track bar ball joint (it was already bad) getting the stupid thing off, so it's not like I can put it back on.
From an engineering standpoint 1/2" might as well be 100feet. Has anyone had this kind of experience with this part from Auto Zone? Should I even bother going back down there and start measuring their track bars for an exchange?
We are getting ready for a long distance trip and I'm running out of time.
Please, any advise would greatly appreciated!

Thanks,
Mike

 

when i changed my track bar my steeering was off about a quarter turn. lined it up and away i went.

 

Seems like the last two I did, I ended up having an alignment job done.

 

It's quite common to have to re-center the steering wheel after a track bar replacement. I don't know if the overall length is really sloppy when manufactured, or what the story is there.

 

well to put your mind at ease as well i put in an original mopar part.

 

Thanks everyone, looks like I'll just adjust the drag link and recenter the steering wheel. It the tires start to wear funny, I'll get one of the adjustable bars.

-Mike

 

I always understood it as trackbars don't affect alignment.