Steering Stabilizer:Easy Swap- WRONG!

[Sled Puller]

Sockets, hammer, pliers, cheaters, pipe wrenchs, air wrenches, assortment of pullers, porta-power, torch, hammer, grinder,wrenches, side cutters, hammer, and more, plus 2 hours and the old one came off. New one bolted on in about 8 minutes, maybe less.



The old mount finally popped with a pitman arm puller and the air wrench. Turns out there was a burr in it, and it was pretty much gaulded right in there. Unreal.



Just my Charlie Brown luck agin, Prolly won't make a dern bit of difference! No doubt I bent my centerlink or ruinated something else important!!!LOL!!

Gene

 

[Sky]

When I changed mine it was the same way. Hammer, Hammer, Hammer.

 

[willyslover]

gene. . that's why God made Air Hammers and pickle forks to go in them...

 

[Cooker]

Gene,

Funny you brought this up. I just picked up a new one last week and am putting off the install. I'm planning on it being a pain in the a$$.



What brand did you install?



-Ryan

 

[BIG BOB]

Mine must have a different type of mount, just 2 bolts. Had my steering stabilizer off in about 10 minutes and the new Rancho on in about 7 minutes.

 

[Sled Puller]

My pickle fork was too thick to get in there, but the air chisel may have done the trick, going side to side.



Why didn't you call and tell me to try it?!?!?!?!?!



I went with the Rancho from Summit.

I'll tell you about the road trip tonight.

 

[Jff24Gordn]

You had a TORCH!!! Why didnt you just cut the pin off?

 

[EMDDIESEL]

Why is everybody changing there Steering stabilzer? Is the stock one really bad?. Or is it just a handling upgrade. If so, what is the best out there? I know Rancho makes them. My friend (Chevy loser) has a Heckthorn on his truck. Are they any good?

 

[OILBRNR]

Geez EMD do you have a life outside the TDR? Good god man, you have a post for everything! 4 months/1200+ posts =300 posts/month = ~10 posts per day. That has got to be some kind of TDR record!!



I don't think the stock unit is *that* bad unless your pushing some bigger rubber, but I've known four people here in the Phx. area with 1500 and 2500's that have mashed those suckers on rocks. This results in some serious steering difficulties to say the least. It was there own fault, poor navigation skills, but they'll learn via their wallet.



All have replaced the OEM with Ranchos and have been pleased. All have also complained about the removal of the stock units. My personal opionion of Heckathorns is not real high, having one years ago on a 4Runner that I soon replaced with a Rancho.

 

[EMDDIESEL]

OILBRNR wrote: Geez EMD do you have a life outside the TDR? Good god man, you have a post for everything!



ROFLMAO!



Yes, i really do, i have 2 jobs, i just stay up really late and like to read and learn new stuff. My dad always told me "The only dumb question is the one that is'nt asked" Now everybody pays for his loose lipped lesson in life.

 

[Driftwood Ram]

Originally posted by EMDDIESEL

Why is everybody changing there Steering stabilzer? Is the stock one really bad?. Or is it just a handling upgrade. If so, what is the best out there? I know Rancho makes them. My friend (Chevy loser) has a Heckthorn on his truck. Are they any good?

I replaced mine because the BRAIN SURGEN that did the front-end alignment pointed the bolts at the stock one and I did not check before I drove off. Got home and had leaking on the driveway from where the bolts made a hole in it. It was a real PITA to get off. I eventually took it to a front-end shop and had it done. Since then there have been posts about using a puller of some kind that seems to be successful. Just do some searches and you should find plenty of good information. My Rancho is working ok for me.

 

[OILBRNR]

Its 2am EST EMD! Go to bed!



Ah, I'm as bad as you, and I know this off topic, but this is addictive. I spend a good portion of my day at work checking new posts.



Back to topic, anyone running the Superlift dual stabalizers?

 

[Sled Puller]

100,000 miles and some wander made me change it. Also some guys complained that the brand new OEM was no good.



It seemed to help some. The Rancho is twice the size of the stock unit.

I didn't think I needed the dual kit, my tires are not that big.





Sorry Jeff, I was using the torch to heat it, not burn it.



Burn YOURS off and let us know how it goes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



I also believe EMD has beaten Kat Diesel and yes, maybe even illflem!



Gene

 

[illflem]

Gene, EMD has a ways to go, click members up above and you'll see he hasn't even made the top ten posters, yet.



I've always told people to use a pitman arm puller on the SS but learned a new trick last week when helping another member remove a stubborn one. After removing the crowned nut put it back on partially with the crown down, it keeps the puller centered and from tipping over, makes it so you can apply more torque to the puller.



As for a Heckethorn SS, mine has kept me from drifting for four years, the stock one only lasted nine months.

 

[Sled Puller]

illflem,

Scary, we think alike, but that is exactly what I did with the pitman puller. I also cocked it sideways to hook better. Still a bear.



gene

 

[work2muchplay2little]

Originally posted by OILBRNR

Back to topic, anyone running the Superlift dual stabalizers?

I put on the Skyjacker dual stabilizer about a week after installing the BFG 35x12. 5. 16. 5 All Terrains and have been quite pleased with the improvement in stability and less following of ruts on the highway. The shocks are mounted to a center brracket that u-bolts to the axle, then the opposite ends are u-bolted to each end of the tie rod. Took about 30 minutes to install and looks great too

 

[BillGotthelf]

I knew mine was toast when I had fluid dripping off the piston. It happened around 30,000 miles. I replaced it with a monroe magnum stabilizer and it works good, was priced right and has been working for 4 years and 100,000 miles.

 

[Extreme1]

Freak of Nature (The truck!)

I still have my original. Thought by now it MUST be smoked. Had the linkage appart a few weeks ago to replace the box and it didn't have any air in it, still damps. Maybe it will be worth money as a collectable someday. NOT!

 

[Rattlebox]

I just got my Skyjacker 4 1/2" suspension lift yesterday, I got the dual steering stabilizer too ... . I'll have to keep all this stuff in mind.

 

[work2muchplay2little]

Originally posted by Rattlebox

I just got my Skyjacker 4 1/2" suspension lift yesterday, I got the dual steering stabilizer too ... . I'll have to keep all this stuff in mind.

If you're doing this yourself and have any questions, shoot me an email - just put one on about 3 weeks ago. The instructions don't specify by part number which shocks are front and rear - if you got the dual front schock kit - the shorter shocks with eyes at both ends go in the front. I think you're gonna love it Did you get the replacement rear springs?