Tracking Straight: BD Diesel Has Fixed The Ford Steering Problem

BD Diesel offers parts for nearly every truck manufacturer out there. They’re expanding their product line and they are focusing on areas that are often overlooked. One of those commonly overlooked issues is the track bars on the Ford pickup trucks. More specifically, 4×4 2008 to 2021 F-250 and F-350’s. The factory track bars aren’t meant to be used on leveling or lift kits and this causes issues.

BD’s new track bar bracket, PN: 1032113, has just been announced and we got our hands on one in the last few weeks. After carefully inspecting it, it is clear that this version means business. If you’ve ever seen a factory track bar bracket, you’ll know what we mean. In fact, we found a local truck that is in dire need of this upgrade so we’ve set up an install at a local shop.

The truck is a 2011 and features a leveling kit which is a perfect fit for this. Why? Commonly, lifted and leveled Super Duty trucks pull the track bar out of position. This affects the ride, steering quality, and the position of the axle. This track bar bracket is designed to relocate the pivot point two inches lower than the factory part offsetting the lift or leveling kit which fixes those common steering and tracking issues.

When in correspondence with BD Diesel’s Paul Thiessen, we heard exactly why this is a necessary upgrade. “This product is perfect for anyone with a 2 or 2.5-inch leveling kit and wants to maintain the factory steering geometry,” Paul says. “When you level the front of a truck, the steering, alignment, and overall suspension gets misaligned. With our product, the adjustment of moving your track bar down to fix that is the result.”

Constructed with high-strength, ADI heat-treated cast iron, this part offers maximum strength and provides you with a strong, reliable upgrade. This upgrade is ideal for trucks with a 2 or 2.5-inch leveling kit and can be combined with BD’s 1032110/1032111 track bar for adjustability on larger lift heights. Anything above stock height, this upgrade will improve your steering.

FEATURES

  • Ideal for 2-inch or 2.5-inch leveling kits
  • Lowers track bar mounting point by 2-inches
  • Corrects steering geometry on lifted vehicles
  • Improves bump steer in leveled trucks
  • High strength cast iron with ADI heat treat process for maximum strength
  • Can be combined with BD 1032110/1032111 Track Bars for adjustability or larger lift height
  • 12-month warranty

“The great thing is, you don’t have to go to that full track bar upgrade. You can go to the intermediate step of using our Ford Track Bar Bracket,” Paul says. “It is priced competitively and it is easy to install. The install uses the factory bolts and takes less than an hour. Cast right here in Canada with high-strength ADI cast iron, it is stronger than the one that comes from the factory.”

As you can see, with the old track bar bracket off, you can see a real difference between the old and the new. The bracket is physically larger and thicker while maintaining the factory bolt hole location. Although the factory bolt location is still there, the new geometry is much better for this trucks’ leveling kit. Once the few bolts were removed, the new part was installed in a matter of a few minutes.

Above the sway bar, you can see the track bar itself. Once one bolt is removed, you can lower it out of the way. With the factory track bar bracket exposed, you can then remove the two upper bolts and the three inner bolts that attach the bracket to the frame. Once they’re removed, you can remove the bracket but be careful not to lose the inner bolts that are in the frame.

Putting the new track bar bracket in place, softly thread the nuts back into the inner bolts and fully tighten the upper bolts. Once the upper bolts are tight, you can then finish by snugging the inners. Now you can bring up the track bar and put it into the bracket and line up the bolt holes where you will finish the install by tightening its factory mounting hardware.

With this new bracket on, the truck owner can now properly align his Super Duty back into its proper specifications. For more information about BD Diesel’s new track bar bracket, head on over to their website here. Stay tuned to Diesel Army for more industry news, truck features, and part installs. What do you think about this upgrade? Have you seen trucks with these issues? Let us know in the comments below.

 

 

 

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About the author

Artie Maupin

Artie Maupin is from Southeast Missouri and has an extreme passion for anything diesel. He loves drag racing of all kinds, as well as sled pulling competitions.
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