 Solid Steel Industries
KLM
Performance is proud to carry several Solid Steel Industries
products.
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The
Solid Steel Industries Track Bar - The
new Adjustable Track Bar and the new Track Bar
Conversion Kit eliminate the troublesome ball joint
on the OEM track bar on 1994 to 2002 Dodge 4x4's.
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The
Dodge Track Bar Replacement Bracket, which
allows the use of the KORE Race Series
Track Bar so you can get the benefit of the latest
third-generation KORE Race Series Track Bar innovations
with your second-generation truck.
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The DSS Steering
Stabilizer, which will greatly reduce steering
"wander" on your late model Dodge pickup. This unit will serve to
eliminate sector shaft play in the steering box which is
a large contributor to wandering and poor road feel.
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The Solid
Steel Industries Control arms. Adjusting
the caster on the front axle of your Dodge Ram 2500 and
3500 4x4 can be somewhat difficult and inaccurate with
the stock OEM control arms. They are also weak and
sometimes bend.
If you have additional
questions, please see our
Solid Steel
Industries FAQs or give us a
call.
Solid Steel Industries
Adjustable Track Bar
The
new Adjustable Track Bar and the new Track Bar
Conversion Kit eliminate the troublesome ball joint
on the OEM track bar on 1994 to 2002 Dodge 4x4's.
Using
high quality rubber bushings provides smooth quiet
operation, with little or no vibration sent back to
the steering wheel or elsewhere on the truck.
This photo shows both the track bar and the track
bar replacement bracket.
The
hardness of the rubber bushing eliminates the spongy
feeling found in other, softer, rubber bushings,
while still providing the right amount of deflection
to reduce wear and hammering.
These
bushings do not hammer and wear out like steel rod
ends, Heim joints, and urethane bushings.
This
Adjustable Track Bar is fully adjustable from stock
length to 4 inches longer, and it can be adjusted
right on the truck to ease the process of centering
the axle exactly. Just install the bar and turn the
adjusting sleeve till the axle is centered, it's
that simple.
The
Adjustable Track Bar and Track Bar Conversion Kit
will work on trucks with lifts up to 3 inches.
Note:
As there are many different models of suspension
lifts and methods of lifting the trucks, some lifts
provide Track Bar relocation bracketry, some don't,
as long as the mounting location of the TBK does not
interfere with existing lift brackets, it will work.
Shown
below is the Adjustable Track Bar and Conversion Kit
with the OEM Track Bar from '94 to '02 Dodge Truck.
There are two versions of the Solid Steel Industries
adjustable track bar available:
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DAT3029402-4 – Dodge Adjustable Track Bar to
be used with TBK2029402-4 on 1994 to 2002
2500 and 3500 4x4 and on 1994 to 2001 1500
4x4. |
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DAT30203-4 – Dodge Adjustable Track Bar fits
2003 and up 2500 and 3500 4x4. |
Here are some
pictures of the Adjustable Track Bar,
Conversion Kit, and Steering Stabilizer installed on a '94 to '02 Dodge 4x4.
This photo shows both the track bar and the track
bar replacement bracket.
Solid Steel Industries - Dodge Track Bar Replacement
Bracket
 This
track bar retrofit kit will allow you to use a 2003 and
up factory Dodge track bar on your '94 to '02 Dodge RAM
pickup. The '03 bar uses a rubber bushing on both ends,
thus eliminating the frequent failure of the tie-rod
style upper joint on your original track bar.
 The track bar used on the 1994 to 2002
trucks has a rubber bushing on the lower (axle) end and
a ball joint on the upper (frame) end.
This ball joint is much the same as a
tie-rod end in design.
Due to a combination of factors, this
ball joint normally experiences fairly rapid wear.
For the 2003 model year, Dodge has
switched to a trackbar that uses a rubber bushing on
both ends. Trackbar wear
on the newer trucks (as well as
other makes that use a rubber bushed bar) is no longer
an issue.
The
Dodge Track Bar Replacement Kit includes bracket and
mounting hardware. Does not include a track bar.
Features:
- Straight bolt-on installation on
most trucks.
- All mounting hardware is
supplied.
- Durable powder-coated finish.
- Laser cut, CNC bent.
- Does not interfere with the
popular "Mag-Hytec" differential cover.
Price: Track Bar
Replacement Bracket - $185
Solid Steel Industries - Installation Instructions for Dodge Track
Bar Retrofit Bracket
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Some '94 and '95
models have a small brace bolted to the edge of the
frame tab and crossmember. Remove this brace and use
tow 1/2" flat washers as a spacer between the
crossmember and track bar mount. Later models have a
reinforcing gusset welded to the tab and crossmember
and do not require a spacer.
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Retain mounting
bolt from lower track bar bushing for re-use.
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Remove rearmost
steering-box mounting bolt - retain for re-use.
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Make sure lower
surface of frame tab is flat - grind if necessary.
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Be sure to insert
tapered bushing into frame tab.
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Insert 1/2 x 5"
bolth through crossmember from above - hole is right
beside steering shaft.
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Tighten all bolts
gradually to values given in the diagram below.
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On trucks with
steering damper located on the axie rather than the
frame, it will be necessary to install the damper on
the outside (forward) of the original mounting tabs.
Use the spacer and 12mm x 110mm bolt provided to do
this.
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Steering wheel may
require re-centering after installation. Adjust the
split sleeve on the tie rod adjacent the pitman arm
to accomplish this. If wheel is off to the left, you
will need to shorten the tie-rod. If off to the
right lengthen the rod. Do NOT attempt to re-center
the steering sheel by any other method.
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Recheck all bolts
periodically for proper torque.
Here are a few pictures from various
angles showing what the TBK looks like installed.
Arrows
show mounting bolt locations.
Here's a view from the bottom looking up.
Straight on view.
Another.
Here's a look at the steering damper
shock relocated to provide clearance.
Arrow shows spacer installation location.
Solid Steel Industries - Steering Stabilizer
The popular "DSS"
steering stabilizer will greatly reduce steering
"wander" on your late model Dodge pickup.
This unit will serve to
eliminate sector shaft play in the steering box which is
a large contributor to wandering and poor road feel.
It also serves to
minimize frame flex at the steering box mounting point.
First check all your
steering components. Loose ball joints, tie-rod ends or
trackbar obviously must be replaced.
 Poor wheel alignment must
also be corrected. A steering box that has a loose
sector shaft is often an overlooked cause of poor
steering.
Features of Solid Steel Steering Stabilizer:
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Straight bolt-on installation. No drilling or
welding.
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All mounting hardware is supplied.
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Durable powder-coated finish.
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NTN bearing is easily replaced if necessary.
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Compatible with most lift kits. There are some
exceptions, however. If your lift kit has drop
brackets for the anti-sway bar AND there is a tube
between these brackets, then there will be
interference.
Fits the Following Dodge RAM Trucks:
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PDR5410305 - Dodge RAM 2003 and up,
Dodge RAM 2500, and Dodge RAM 3500 4x4 - $235.00
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PDR5419402 - 1994 to 2002 Dodge RAM
2500 and Dodge RAM 3500 4x4 - $209.00
Solid Steel Steering Stabilizer
Installed
Give us a call today if you have any
questions about Solid Steel Steering Stabilizers, or you
can contact us by e-mail on our contact page. We also
offer KORE steering stabilizers for Dodge RAM trucks.
Solid Steel Industries
- Installation
Instructions for Steering Box Brace
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Arrange a jackstand
or other means of support for stabilizer bar. Make
sure stabilizer bar is supported - it will drop!
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Now remove 4
stabilizer bar mounting bolts and lower bar 3 or 4
inches. Stabilizer bar links may need to be
loosened under certain conditions to allow enough
movement.
- On 4x4
models, slide bracket in from front, positioning
outer mounting tabs over stabilizer bar mounts, and
bearing mounting plate under stabilizer bar. On 2WD
models, slide bracket in from rear over stabilizer
bar mounts.
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- Use
4 new M10 x 35 bolts, lock and flat washers, to
attach bracket and stabilizer bar to original
stabilizer bar mounting holes. Do not tighten yet.
Keep in mind that stabilizer bar will need to be
pushed rearward to line up mounting holes as it has
a tendency to move forward when unbolted.
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Snug
mounting bolts up, but allow for final positioning
of bracket.
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Align
bracket by centering steering shaft nut in large
hole in mounting plate. This does not need to be
perfect as there is some allowance in bearing
holder.
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Tighten 4 mounting bolts to 40 ft/lbs and check to
make sure bracket position is maintained with
respect to steering shaft nut.
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We recommend use of
an anti-seize compound in bearing bore and lock
ring. Grease is also suitable to allow for future
disassembly.
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Install bearing
holder and bearing (comes assembled) onto steering
shaft nut . Orient grease nipple in desired
position.
IMPORTANT:
Do not worry if
bearing housing does not sit flat against mounting plate
as it is a self aligning unit and will align as bolts
are tightened.
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Attach bearing with
two ½ x 1 ½ " bolts, lock washers and nuts. Torque
to 50 ft/lbs. ***IMPORTANT***:
Tightening these two bolts after
the four frame mount bolts are torqued will ensure
that no unwanted preload is applied to the steering
box.
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Install
bearing lock ring by sliding onto shaft and rotating
ring to allow it to engage eccentric on bearing
race. Rotate lock-ring tight by tapping with punch
and hammer in hole in lock ring. Do not pound on
setscrew hole! Lock ring will lock in either
direction. Tighten set screw with ½ Allen wrench.
Notes
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Do not use this bracket as an attachment point for
towing or winching!
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In the event that bearing needs to be replaced and
refuses to slide off after removing lock ring and
mounting bolts, you may remove steering shaft nut by
inserting a flat wrench between bracket and steering
box and unscrewing shaft and bearing as a unit. This
will allow you to press bearing off shaft. Remove
bearing from holder by twisting bearing 90 degrees
to holder in alignment with two slots in backside of
holder.
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Bearing is an SA 205-16 ( or 205-100 ) one inch bore
self-aligning unit. Be sure to specify metal shields
and a grease hole. Holder is a standard two-bolt
flange FL 205.
Solid Steel Industries -
Dodge Adjustable Lower Control Arms
1994 to present 2500 and
3500 4x4 $465.00
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 Upgrades
'94 to present OEM Lower Control Arms
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Fully adjustable
while installed.
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Easily adjust
caster on front axle.
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Helps to
eliminate the "Death Wobble"
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High quality
rubber bushings.
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No vibration,
smooth feel.
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Dura-Coat finish.
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Solid Steel
shaft.
Adjusting the caster
on the front axle of your Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500
4x4 can be somewhat difficult and inaccurate with
the stock OEM control arms. They are also weak and
sometimes bend.
Using our Dodge
Adjustable Control Arms makes adjusting the caster
on your truck a snap, just install the control arms
and turn the adjustment sleeve till you achieve the
proper caster and tighten the jam nuts. This is
done
while the arms are installed on the truck making
fine adjustments quick and easy, and they can be
adjusted any time using common tools.
A good starting
point for caster is 3.5 degrees positive, but we
have found that not all trucks are exactly the same
when it comes to caster adjustment. Some trucks need
up to 4.5 degrees positive caster to make them steer
and handle properly. Many people adjust the caster
differently from side to side to put tension on the
front axle as well as to allow for the crown in the
road. Whichever way you choose to adjust, these
control arms make it easy and accurate.
They are
manufactured using solid steel shaft and DOM tubing
for the adjustment sleeve so they are built to last
and will not bend or fold.
Using the SSI -
Dodge Adjustable Control Arms along with our DSS -
Dodge Steering Stabilizer as well as our SSI - Dodge
Adjustable Track Bar and Conversion kit helps to
eliminate the dreaded Death Wobble.
NOTE: KLM
Performance cannot guarantee fitment of the Solid
Steel Products on vehicles equipped with Snow Plows
Reasons To Rely on the Solid
Steel Industries Steering Stabilizer
Anyone with a late model Dodge pickup
will love this “steering stabilizer” kit designed
for Dodge 1500, 2500, and 3500 pickups made from
1994 to 2002, and 2500 and 3500 pickups made from
2003 to present. The kit is designed to provide
additional support of the steering sector shaft and
eliminate sector shaft play in the steering box. It
also helps keep the pickup frame from flexing at the
steering box mounting point.
The stabilizer
uses existing mounting holes. It adds an outboard
support bearing to the sector shaft. This additional
bearing is attached to the lower end of the sector
shaft by way of a replacement nut, which has an
integral shaft extension. The bearing supplied is a
regreasable high quality unit available at most Ag
outlets. Nearly all the sector shaft load is carried
by this outboard bearing, thus relieving the
steering box of much wear and tear. Installation
takes about a half hour and requires no drilling or
welding. It solves the problem of too much play in
the steering sector shaft, and the kit has been
popular with owners of both older and newer pickups.
It can be used on
pickups equipped with snowplows, front receiver
hitches, or tow hooks. The steering stabilizer comes
with money back guarantee. The company also offers a
retrofit kit for 1994 to 2002 Dodge pickups to allow
use of the Solid Steel Inc. rubber brushed track
bar. The Dodge Adjustable Track Bar (DAT) was
recently introduced by Russell Tessier of Solid
Steel Industries, Weyburn, Sask. Tessier says the
new adjustable track bar is designed to replace the
existing OEM track bar on Dodge 4-WD pickups made
from 1994 to 2002. “These Dodge series 4-WD trucks
have a track bar that holds the front axle centered
from side to side.” Says Tessier.
On the upper end
of these factory track bars is a ball joint, much
like a tie rod end. The problem is that this ball
joint often fails prematurely. As it wears out, the
front axle is allowed to move side to side, causing
excessive wandering.” That, says Tessier,
contributes to a problem called the “death wobble”.
“The death wobble is a violent shaking in the front
end that usually happens when the truck hits a bump
or pothole in the road. Usually, the truck won’t
come out of it until you drop the speed down to 10
to 15 mph. It can be very dangerous. A loose or worn
track bar isn’t the only cause of the death wobble,
but it’s a major contributor to the problem.” He
says. Solid Steel’s track bar conversion kit has
high quality rubber bushings at both ends, thus
elimination the troublesome ball joint.
It’s adjustable,
and works on tracks with up to 3 in. of lift.
According to Tessier, one other problem with the
factory ball joint version track bar is that it’s
expensive to replace. “When the ball joint wears out
the whole track bar has to be replaced. If the
rubber brushings on our adjustable track bar ever
wear out, new brushings can be pressed in at minimal
cost. “Many people have had to replace the factory
track bar on their Dodge Rams every 30,000 miles or
sooner. It’s sometimes hard to tell if the track bar
is worn out.
The best way is to
look at the upper ball joint end to the track bar
while someone turns the steering wheel back and
forth a few times (with the truck parked, of
course). If you see any movement in the ball end,
there’s wear and the truck will wander. Our rubber
bushings are designed to outlast the Dodge factory
track bar as well as the Moog replacement track
bar.”
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