Review your BD Steering Box Stabilizer here...

[Patriot_RAM]

Hey Guys,



My truck was wrecked last year, and hasn't driven the same since. It isn't bad, but it isn't the same.



The wreck did $20k in damage overall. One of the impacts was to the front tire against a cement wall, with the wheel turned to the left. The tire took 100% of that impact -- no impact to the body, bumper, etc.



That impact bent the pitman arm, broke off the bar that connects to it, twisted the steering box shaft, bent the left steering knuckle, bent all four ball joints, crushed the control arms, pushed the axle pumpkin into the oil pan and bent the oil pan, and so on.



Anyway, all these parts were replaced, and it drives pretty good. But, it wanders both left and right, somewhat inconsistently. It has a new front end, including tie rods and so on. The steering box took an impact large enough to twist the shaft, so I'm sure the frame at the steering box was stressed also. I'm thinking about adding the BD Steering Box Stabilizer, but I can't find very many threads at all where people have actually offered feedback. I mostly found people planning to buy it.



So, what's your feedback on the stabilizer?



Thanks!

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

Hey Guys,



My truck was wrecked last year, and hasn't driven the same since. It isn't bad, but it isn't the same.



The wreck did $20k in damage overall. One of the impacts was to the front tire against a cement wall, with the wheel turned to the left. The tire took 100% of that impact -- no impact to the body, bumper, etc.



That impact bent the pitman arm, broke off the bar that connects to it, twisted the steering box shaft, bent the left steering knuckle, bent all four ball joints, crushed the control arms, pushed the axle pumpkin into the oil pan and bent the oil pan, and so on.



Anyway, all these parts were replaced, and it drives pretty good. But, it wanders both left and right, somewhat inconsistently. It has a new front end, including tie rods and so on. The steering box took an impact large enough to twist the shaft, so I'm sure the frame at the steering box was stressed also. I'm thinking about adding the BD Steering Box Stabilizer, but I can't find very many threads at all where people have actually offered feedback. I mostly found people planning to buy it.



So, what's your feedback on the stabilizer?



Thanks!



David

I seriously doubt it will cure your problem - sounds lots more like a suspension geometry issue, than a steering stabilizer problem...

 

[MickeyMiller]

I didn't have a accident, but I did 'upgrade' to the '08 steering linkage to cure the 'death wabble'. I already had the Steering Box Stabilizer. I am pleased with the results, no more death wabble, but the steering is not as precise as the '03 was when it was new (and yes, I have Carli upper and Moog greasable lower ball joints). I 'believe' this is just a setting issue, but getting it exactly right after replacing a lot of the front end parts appears to be tough. I am well within all specs, but still have a little wander.

I would love to find an alignment shop that specializes in Dodge 4X4's... any suggestions?

 

[31b]

I have the Solid Steel Industry and so far, so good. I'd buy one again if I bought another truck.

 

[Matt400]

One of the impacts was to the front tire against a cement wall, with the wheel turned to the left. The tire took 100% of that impact -- no impact to the body, bumper, etc.

David, I would get a good shop to take the alignment measurements ASAP with special attention to Advanced Alignment Measurements- front & rear setback, thrust angle and cross values. Not just Caster / Camber / Toe. Tell them what happened so they know you are looking for possible fame trouble.



A hit that hard with the weight of the truck and the Cummins focused on just one wheel can easily shove a frame rail back. Our local body shop has done many frame replacements on 3rd gens for stuff like this.



If its not right the claim may have to be reopened.

 

[Wingate]

Feedback on BD SBS... ... I absolutely LOVE mine... I haven't had a wreck, and its not a "cure all" for other issues. But if you ever drive a truck, then put one on and drive it again. You WILL notice the difference. My truck is low mileage with factory suspension/tires. My only gripe was that it tended drift around in the lane. It seemed that I was ALWAYS making small steering corrections even if the road was flat and straight. I installed the BD SBS and took it down the same road at the same speed and WOW!!!!...

I'm sure its not just the BD, I would think that any other manufacturers brace of similar design would have the same results.

 

[JMetzger]

I installed th BD Steering Stabilizer & it is a lot better. I notice the best improvement pulling the RV down the road. It is not perfect but 95% better.

 

[seafish]

I'm sure its not just the BD, I would think that any other manufacturers brace of similar design would have the same results.

I believe this also to be an accurate statement--

I installed the Defiant Steering Box Support from Paul at Defiant Truck Products. Even though some people say it could not work as well as the box beam type SS, it is an extremely well designed, engineered AND manufactured product that, in conjunction with the 08 Sterring upgrade (WITH Pitman arm replacemnent!!) immediately eliminated ALL play and looseness in the handling of my truck. I can now move the steering wheel LESS then 1/2" in either direction and feel the truck respond.



I was actually originally going to buy the Solid Steel Industries brace, but after talking to Paul at Defiant, changed my mind, NOT beacuase he was a hard sell. but because he is extremely thoughtful and knowledgable and I came to believe that, at least for me, he has a slightly BETTER product then the box beam types.



Please know that I am NOT trying to start a flame war, but want others to know of my excellent experience with the Defiant Stabilizer--I am NOT in any way afiliated with Paul or Defiant. Also, if you did not want to hear about steering box stabilizers other then the BD, let me know and I will remove this post!

 

[MRFost]

I have the BD and the change appears subtle at first. Later, you realize that you used to think about your steering, and you no longer do that after the install. It's steering as it should have, and therefore you don't realize the effect. The phenomenon where you're conscious of your steering just fades away, since it's steering correctly.

 

[Patriot_RAM]

One of the primary symptoms that I'm having is that the steering is pretty tight, but suddenly shifts a little to the left or right by itself. I don't move the wheel, nor do I feel anything in the wheel when it happens, but it requires a fairly significant correction. It seems to happen more often when I'm on a long easy corner, it seems to want to turn a little tighter suddenly at some point or points through the corner. Have any of you guys had this symptom, and if so, did the stabilizer help?



Matt400 -- I agree with you and think there is something wrong still, but am not 100% sure. I've looked for a good shop that can check more of the geometry than a standard alignment shop, but have found nobody. I'm in the Northwest Arkansas area, do any of you know of a shop that can check *all* measurements on the steering? And will having the Kore (DRC Race) suspension affect their ability to measure?



I've been out of the truck for almost two weeks due to a broken clutch and got back in it two days ago. After driving other vehicles for a couple weeks, I realized that the wandering is worse than I had previously thought.



Thanks for your help guys.

 

[CPittman]

PATRIOT_Ram - your issue sounds like it could be a worn tie rod end at the pitman arm. At that location, a small amount of wear or play will be amplified throughout the steering system. My truck does the same thing and the dealer alerted me to the worn tie rod. May be worth checking.

 

[Matt400]

I'm in the Northwest Arkansas area, do any of you know of a shop that can check *all* measurements on the steering?

Sounds like a broad area. You can do a search here. maybe something will pop up. Look for a sponsoring member if possible.



This place might be a good one but don't know how far they are from you. You would need to call and ask if they do alignments and if not. . who do they use when chassis work has been done?

 

[Deleted member 995608]

My truck has benn wandering for some time as well.



Just last week, I changed the linkage and pitman arm to newer version, swapped in the Luke's links into the trackbar, Maxx links for the swaybar and added the BD steering. stabilzer.



Wow! Truck has never driven better!

 

[Patriot_RAM]

Thanks guys, I'll check some more of the steering system out myself to see if I can find anything worn or that has excessive play.

 

[DaveHess]

My '03 has a very slight drift to the right. I was hoping the BD SBS would cure that. It did not. So I figure it doesn't hurt any of the other steering components under there so I leave it there.