Ford Superduty 4WD trucks from 1999 to 2004 with leaf spring front suspension utilize a track bar to control steering when changing from left to right. The suspension tends to flex as the body rolls into a turn and when you come out of the turn and go in the opposite direction the suspension will affect the steering and cause a loss of steering in one direction. The track bar stabilizes this and keeps the steering feel and amount of turn the same in both directions. Older Ford trucks did not have the same problem because the steering on a 4wd went front to back using a short drag link. With cross over steering you greatly help bump steer issues with longer tie rod drag links BUT create the other issue explained above. Judging from the look of the track bar bracket that Ford designed I have come to the conclusion that Ford did not intend a track bar until after testing the truck. The stock track bar bracket welded to the front differential housing appears to be an afterthought the way it is made and welded on. Ford's track bar bracket is not very strong and will crack and break off! Lifted trucks have a problem with the length of the track bar because Ford did not make it adjustable. There are expensive after market replacement track bars that are adjustable which helps solve the problem. But what do you do when the track bar bracket is tore off? I have had mechanics tell me they actually force the front end over with a jack to hook up the track bar because of the length problem. This loads the weak point of the assembly and that is the bracket welded to the housing. Ford has no fix for this except to replace the entire housing as it is a welded part of the front end. At a cost of $2500 for a housing and a bunch of labor this does not seem like a good choice. Autofab created the "Superduty Ford track bar repair kit" to solve the problem. Clean off the rest of the broken bracket, grind the welds, and bolt on the Autofab track bar bracket repair kit. It is manufactured from 1/4" steel and is much stronger than the original Ford part.

Here is the broken Ford track bar mount

Here is the Autofab repair kit. This assembly is $250

The Autofab Superduty track bar repair kit before welding.

Autofab Superduty Track Bar Repair kit is fabricated from 1/4" steel for long term use! Shown below with optional stabilizer shock mount. Price for the additional steering shock mount is $50.

Autofab repair kits are complemented by our adjustable track bar. Now you can properly adjust the length for various ride heights! We will cut and thread your track bar and provide the adjusting sleeve for $150. If you want a new track bar add $130.  Repair kit shown with steering stabilizer mount option added. The separate bracket shown is added next to the hole and is welded to the top edge of the original spring U Bolt cup. This also provides the key to lock the bolt when tightening. The Autofab track bar repair kit can be welded to the housing bracket if so desired. Send us your track bar for machining and new bushings when necessary. 

Parts breakdown and prices:

Track bar main repair bracket, $250. Optional steering shock mount, $50. Cut and thread your track bar, $150. Provide a new track bar add $130

This picture shows the inside tab included with the basic kit. Located and welded before the final assembly. Note: All of the original Ford bracket must be removed from the housing pad. If the edge of the housing pad is torn it must be repaired to weld this tab correctly. This bracket serves as the locater for the factory nut. 

Send E-mail to john@autofab.com with questions or comments about this web site.
Last modified: August 17, 2011