Bent Traction Bar

dkpeppard · September 18, 2009

I have a 2000 GMC Sierra SLE with a 4 inch Rancho lift. I bought the truck this way. It also has a set of traction bars on the rear. The driver's side traction bar is bent a little. I have the truck in the shop now getting the front end rebuilt. The shop says they cannot align the truck with the bent bar on because it is throwing the laser alignment off.

I want to tell the shop to just take the traction bars off and align the truck. I don't know what brand traction bars are on the truck to get a replacement bar right now, but I do want to get it replaced.

Question 1: Will it hurt anything to take the traction bars off? Will the truck still be safe to drive?

Question 2: Are traction bars easy to install? The ones on there now look to have a mounting plate bolted to the frame on one end and another on the rear axle. The bar is held on with one bolt on each end. If I get a new set, should it be pretty easy to remove the old hardware and put on the new kit, or will I have to worry about welding brackets and such?

Thank you in advance for your feedback.

Silverado4x4 · September 18, 2009

No it will not hurt to take them off and yes the truck will drive fine. Most people put them on there for show anyway and the only thing they do is prevent axle wrap but you need some big HP to do so, take them off and save your money for something else.

dkpeppard · September 21, 2009

No it will not hurt to take them off and yes the truck will drive fine. Most people put them on there for show anyway and the only thing they do is prevent axle wrap but you need some big HP to do so, take them off and save your money for something else.

Thanks for the response and info.