I really don´t know, if all trac bars are created equal, meaning there may be some difference in length. Another possibility, is the front end, was aligned, with a loose trac bar and now that it´s new/replaced, the steering wheel location or steering geometry is different.
I pulled my steering wheel and recentered it after installing a new trac bar. I´ve been watching the wear pattern on my fronts, closely.
The only guarantee, I received with my XJ, from the dealer, is that he would give me a parts discount. He´s been as good as his word so far (and I´ve left him alone for the most part). I´d take it back, have them center the steering wheel and check the alignment. An alignment check is no big deal, if nothing needs to be changed.
Motion in the top and the bottom of the trac bar is fairly easy to see, with the tires on the ground and turning the steering, half turn or so left and right, with the motor running.
A serious alignment problem, could cause the tires to kinda walk (left/right) back to center (probably notice a squeal on some road surfaces/wet cement), it would probably feel somewhat like the transfer being in part time, in a turn. When you said ratchet, front axle, U joint distress, popped into my mind, feels kinda like a shudder, hang, shudder.