Thuren Track Bar

[2011TXPowerWagon]

Is it safe to use an extension with a 25" breaker bar? Could a crescent wrench be used? I've heard they can snap under heavy loads as well.

[DamageWagon]

For big torque specs, the hard part is figuring out where to hold/clamp the object. I then use the simple calculation of my body weight multiplied by the lever length. For a 250lbft torque, have the lever parallel to the ground so you’re pushing straight down. I’m 200lbs so 250/200=1.25 feet from the pivot. 15” from the pivot I stand on the breaker bar and use a hand just to balance. Bingo, more curate than a worn out torque wrench, unless you didn’t calculate that chipotle burrito you just downed!

[13powerwagon]

You will need an extension, turning the wheels all the way to the passenger side gets you a clear line to the bolt but you will still need a small extension to have enough clearance to get your torque wrench attached. Also removing the axle skid may help as well.

[2011TXPowerWagon]

Well I was able to get the track bar off. Drag link and tie rod were sorta in the way. After looking at the bushings, they both seemed to be ok. I am really hoping swapping out the track bar takes care of my DW. I was kinda hoping that the stock bushings would just fall apart and that it would be a clear indicator of the stock bar being the problem. Gotta make another run to HF tomorrow and pick up a 24" crescent wrench to tighten up the jam nut. Staying optimistic that the Thuren bar will make a difference and I wont have to chase my DW through a lot of other parts.

[DamageWagon]

The bushings never look as bad as they are. You’ll definitely feel improvement.

[olyelr]

And dw isnt always necessarily caused by one worn part. It can often be a combination of several slightly worn parts.

[2011TXPowerWagon]

Slide the frame side of the track bar in the receiver hitch so you don't need a vice. HF has disposable torque wrenches for like $30. You don't even need the ratchet straps that DM mentioned, just leave the tires on the ground and turn the steering wheel until the bolt holes line up.

There really isn't a good excuse for half-assing the trackbar despite how often that happens.

I'm about to try and finish this install, just got back from a weekend at the beach, what do you mean use the hitch as a vice? You mean for the receiver to hold the heim from spinning while cranking on it?

[Reloaderguy]

If you don't have a vice you can slide the frame end of the TB (the large end with the poly bushings) into the receiver hitch and then tighten the heim jam nut to spec. Remove the poly bushings before you clamp the end of the bar so it doesn't deflect when tightening.

[2011TXPowerWagon]

I finally got it in. Wasn’t without its struggles. Torquing to 215 with not much room was a pain in the arse. Definitely tightened up the front end. DW isn’t completely gone,but almost. Going to discount tire tomorrow to rotate and rebalance tires. See if that does anything.
Thinking some Thuren Overland shocks may be next, or trading my truck in for a newer one lol