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Old 03-19-2016, 04:53 PM   #11
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Bent and snapped in the middle. Definitely not a broken weld.






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Old 03-20-2016, 12:13 PM   #12
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That's interesting. SMB told me they use a smaller track bar because as mentioned, they feel leafs really don't require a one. I broke mine several years back but it was at one of the ends. When Deaver did my springs they installed a much beefier bar. I don't know why the larger bar but no issues yet.
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Old 03-22-2016, 09:30 AM   #13
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It appears it fractured at the bend. The crack probably started when the tube was bent and slowly progressed over time and use.

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Old 03-23-2016, 03:52 PM   #14
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My guess assumes the rod is supposed to be bent and this is done during the rod manufacture/assembly process using raw tube stock. The manufacturer may not have used heat treatment to relieve stresses built up during the bending process. In iron, this can increase the rate of rusting and pitting. The metal most likely developed interior cracks on the inside bend radius where flaking is evident in the photo.
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Old 05-19-2016, 08:09 AM   #15
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So to continue this topic(sortof).... Why is the trac bar used on this system anyway?

E-van conversions and superdutys are the only place ive ever seen a leaf/tracbar under the front.

My theory is that on the van, the front spring hanger mounts far forward of the last cross member, in the crumple zone part of the frame. Id guess there to be potential for the front hangers to shift sideways, giving bumpsteer.

Maybe the superduty frame has similar leverage?

If this is the case, seem it could be solved with adding a crossmember forward of the hanger, or a heavy duty bumper.
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Old 05-19-2016, 03:10 PM   #16
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If I remember correctly I don't think Ujoint uses a trac bar with its 4" lift. Maybe he could chime in and tell us why.
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Old 05-23-2016, 07:25 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jsweezy View Post
If I remember correctly I don't think Ujoint uses a trac bar with its 4" lift. Maybe he could chime in and tell us why.
Its simply a packaging issue, no room unless I make some specific mounts for 4" only. I bet this bar broke because over time the springs have sagged and simply put the bar in a bind. We use an adjustable bar and I don't recommend to even install the trac bar until some miles have been put on the van.
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Old 05-23-2016, 10:00 PM   #18
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Its simply a packaging issue, no room unless I make some specific mounts for 4" only. I bet this bar broke because over time the springs have sagged and simply put the bar in a bind. We use an adjustable bar and I don't recommend to even install the trac bar until some miles have been put on the van.
Thanks for the info! So do you think a trac bar is even an improvement on a 4" leaf spring rig?
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Old 05-26-2016, 07:21 PM   #19
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Sure, it will help but not generally needed.
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Old 11-03-2021, 11:44 PM   #20
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Pan bar

I to have experienced the same thing! A clean break in the middle of the suspension bar. It looks like someone cut the.bar with a hack saw. Was the solution ever discovered or reason why a tube made of steel cleanly break in this manner? I am an iron worker of 30 years and never seen anything like this. The only thing is porosity like water in the steel when it was rolled! It’s very odd. New shocks and springs control arms are in good shape as well as the pan bar. Bushings on both ends are good.
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