Track Bar play

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zeddy

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Hello all,
I had installed an adjustable track bar from carli for my 2500 after I got the truck leveled a while back.

When I jerk the steering wheel left/right, i notice a little clunk. When I went under the truck, the track bar has alittle play. when i had someone jerk the steering wheel, the treaded end of the track has a play. I attempted to tighten the bolts along with the lock nut. all is tight.

Is the play normal or should it be solid.
 

brandonjansen

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Have you torqued all the bolts up to proper spec? Track bar bolts need to be very tight. 200 ft-lbs is the stock torque spec. If you don't have it torqued right up it will move around slightly. And no, it shouldn't; it should be solid.
 
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zeddy

zeddy

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I've tighten it by hand with an 18" breaker bar. I don't think it's tight enough, especially 200lbs with very little room to work with. I'm going to buy an impact wrench tonight...
 

crash68

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You should put a torque wrench on it. A lot of auto part stores rent or loan out tools.
With an impact wrench, it's possible to damage and or break stuff by overtightening. It is entirely possible to strech fasteners and they not break until your driving down the road.
 

brandonjansen

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Definitely don't use an impact gun. You have no idea what you're torquing it do with that. As crash68 said, you need to get a torque wrench and actually get it up to spec and know it's right. A track bar is not something you want to be compromising on. If that comes apart or breaks from being too loose or tight you'll lose total control of the truck.
 

Dmopar74

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That's a pretty good price. Just remember to unscrew it to "0" when you are done torquing the bolts. Otherwise the tool will take a set.


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John Price
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We were taught at Boeing to never take a took wrench to 0, but down to 20% of Max torque
 
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zeddy

zeddy

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Alright, the bolts were tight enough. It was the lock nut that loose. I moved the tie rod out of the way and was able tighten the lock nut. Unfortunately, the lock nut is a stripped. Don't ask why. I was able to get nice and tight. Now it's rod solid.
 

loveracing1988

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We were taught at Boeing to never take a took wrench to 0, but down to 20% of Max torque
I'm more curious as to why would have a clicker type torque wrench to begin with. They are pretty much the most inaccurate torque wrenches out there.
 

U&A

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I'm more curious as to why would have a clicker type torque wrench to begin with. They are pretty much the most inaccurate torque wrenches out there.

i WOULD BE INTERESTED IN ANOTHER OPTION THAT YOU MAY KNOW OF. AS LONG AS ITS NOT OVERLY EXPENSIVE.
 

Pricejh

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I'm more curious as to why would have a clicker type torque wrench to begin with. They are pretty much the most inaccurate torque wrenches out there.



I was taught, in Tech School (about 45 years ago) that the clickers were more accurate than the pointer type. We could dial in the torque we needed. The pointers could be bent. And, you had a hard time differentiation between 50 ft-Lb and 60 on the manual scales.


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loveracing1988

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i WOULD BE INTERESTED IN ANOTHER OPTION THAT YOU MAY KNOW OF. AS LONG AS ITS NOT OVERLY EXPENSIVE.
Dear God... No need to yell. Answer below.

I was taught, in Tech School (about 45 years ago) that the clickers were more accurate than the pointer type. We could dial in the torque we needed. The pointers could be bent. And, you had a hard time differentiation between 50 ft-Lb and 60 on the manual scales.


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John Price
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2015 Ram 2500 6.7 Cummings
2016 Denali 389RK

This is very true. They are more accurate than the beam type. However they are not as accurate as the dial type or the new electronic type. At work (the company that makes the axles in your truck) we only have one clicker torque wrench and I've never seen anyone use it. We have all dial type and 5 or the new snap on electronic torque wrench.

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Pricejh

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Dear God... No need to yell. Answer below.



This is very true. They are more accurate than the beam type. However they are not as accurate as the dial type or the new electronic type. At work (the company that makes the axles in your truck) we only have one clicker torque wrench and I've never seen anyone use it. We have all dial type and 5 or the new snap on electronic torque wrench.

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The digitalis would be nice. Never got to use one though. I retired before they were introduced. As a hobbiest, it just doesn't pencil out to spend that kind of bucks.


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2016 Denali 389RK
 

Juvenator93

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I'm having the same issue but my track bar is stock. Haven't got under there to verify that's what it is, but I'm guessing


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reloaderguy

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Dear God... No need to yell. Answer below.



This is very true. They are more accurate than the beam type. However they are not as accurate as the dial type or the new electronic type. At work (the company that makes the axles in your truck) we only have one clicker torque wrench and I've never seen anyone use it. We have all dial type and 5 or the new snap on electronic torque wrench.

Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

What is more accurate, a clicker type torque wrench or a 18" breaker bar?
 
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