Mike2002 Posted April 6, 2023 Share Posted April 6, 2023 Any help is appreciated. I’ve been trying to find out what this bar is called. Keeps popping out and snapping welds with and with out loads on my tri axel dump truck. I thought it’s call a suspension stabilizer bar but Mack dealer says never seen that bar before or heard of Mack having something where mine is. (zip ties were to get it home with out dragging on pavement) bar runs between both suspension brackets and mounts are L shaped. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/72691-what-is-this-bar-called/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
tjc transport Posted April 6, 2023 Share Posted April 6, 2023 i never seen anything like that before. maybe an add on by the body manufacturer? Quote when you are up to your armpits in alligators, it is hard to remember you only came in to drain the swamp.. Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/72691-what-is-this-bar-called/#findComment-528612 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Solution Popular Post mechohaulic Posted April 6, 2023 Solution Popular Post Share Posted April 6, 2023 that cross bar isn't made to take excessive torque . if it keeps breaking/ snapping I would check the vehicle for problems else where == broken crossmember ,brace. bracket , loose bolts etc. it's official name couldn't tell you. just a lower support bar, old B's/ R's had cross bar used to hold cross over fuel line and lite support even they broke /cracked. we all know no longer lower fuel cross over. 4 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/72691-what-is-this-bar-called/#findComment-528613 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Mike2002 Posted April 6, 2023 Author Popular Post Share Posted April 6, 2023 Thanks. I removed the secondary fuel tank sometime ago to lighten truck and add a place for my tools and I you just jogged my memory that it held the fuel cross line. 2 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/72691-what-is-this-bar-called/#findComment-528614 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mechohaulic Posted April 6, 2023 Share Posted April 6, 2023 cross bar should have originally been held in by 5/8 bolts : threaded end welded to pipe. one each end, rubber grommet/ washers for flex. NOT to strengthen spring hangers. makes more sense knowing it had two fuel tanks at one time. why mack didn't have any idea == well we won't go there. LOL Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/72691-what-is-this-bar-called/#findComment-528617 Share on other sites More sharing options...
fjh Posted April 6, 2023 Share Posted April 6, 2023 yup I think that was its main function actually !It was often a thorn in the side when adjusting the clutch! It may have been the intention too some engineers attempt to piss the rest of us off! 😂 KW used put a big horse shoe bracket in this spot ! I do believe its there to help to support the frame somewhat! Rather useless! 1 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/72691-what-is-this-bar-called/#findComment-528618 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrsmackpaul Posted April 7, 2023 Share Posted April 7, 2023 I think it is only to help support the load of fuel tank and stop the brackets cracking Paul 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/72691-what-is-this-bar-called/#findComment-528671 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mechohaulic Posted April 7, 2023 Share Posted April 7, 2023 look close you can see the two tabs on the cross pipe (one where tyrap is ). those tabs are where the two 1/4 in bolts held the clamps on fuel cross-over line. (number 8 aeroquipt line ) ,some applications the cross bar was bolted to the fuel tank brackets not spring hanger s .as you stated Paul that set up helped support the tank weight , 1 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/72691-what-is-this-bar-called/#findComment-528673 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Dirtymilkman Posted April 11, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted April 11, 2023 That bar is a belly grease spreader. They work really well. 3 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/72691-what-is-this-bar-called/#findComment-529007 Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeH Posted April 12, 2023 Share Posted April 12, 2023 I always figured they help with frame stress where the frame splays out around the engine and trans. My MR688 has 2 of those bars, one below, bolted to a bracket on the rear spring hangers, and a second one that goes across the top above the trans, right behind the engine. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/72691-what-is-this-bar-called/#findComment-529025 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mechohaulic Posted April 12, 2023 Share Posted April 12, 2023 the top bar IS there for support. it's a heavier = or was heavier bar made to take some stress pressure unlike the lowers . Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/72691-what-is-this-bar-called/#findComment-529031 Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeH Posted April 12, 2023 Share Posted April 12, 2023 My top bar isn't any heavier than the lower bar. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/72691-what-is-this-bar-called/#findComment-529063 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark T Posted April 12, 2023 Share Posted April 12, 2023 On 4/6/2023 at 9:53 AM, fjh said: yup I think that was its main function actually !It was often a thorn in the side when adjusting the clutch! It may have been the intention too some engineers attempt to piss the rest of us off! 😂 KW used put a big horse shoe bracket in this spot ! I do believe its there to help to support the frame somewhat! Rather useless! F, a one inch hole saw made short work out of creating a peep hole in the KW so you could look up at the space between the bearing and brake. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/72691-what-is-this-bar-called/#findComment-529064 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mechohaulic Posted April 12, 2023 Share Posted April 12, 2023 1 hour ago, JoeH said: My top bar isn't any heavier than the lower bar. OK 🙃 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/72691-what-is-this-bar-called/#findComment-529066 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mechohaulic Posted April 12, 2023 Share Posted April 12, 2023 tried to cover my ass with reply by stating "top bar WAS heavier". bottom cross bar use to be 1 or 1 1/4 angle .. top supports came through they were 1 in (???)HD wall pipe threaded ends ( small version of a tie rod). . 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/72691-what-is-this-bar-called/#findComment-529072 Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeH Posted April 13, 2023 Share Posted April 13, 2023 Top bar and bottom bar on 2003 MR688S. I'd figure it takes any twist out of the frame by creating a "box" support structure. Battery box on one side, fuel on the other, and it's about 2 feet forward of where the splay starts in the frame to go around engine/trans. I think I heard a few years ago that at one point Mack had frames cracking oddly, so they tweaked cab mount design and probably added these frame stiffeners. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/72691-what-is-this-bar-called/#findComment-529127 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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