Steering stabilizer

[Prairie Dog]

I'm replacing my shocks with another new set of Bilsteins (last ones lasted 65K) but I have never replaced the steering stabilizer. I have the original linkage (no lift) and no issues with death wobble but it does get a little "floaty" when I hit dips in the highway with a heavy travel trailer attached. I know from experience that this is mostly the shocks but after almost 120K, I'm wondering about the stabilizer.
What are the symptoms of the steering stabilizer getting weak?

I'm also having a problem figuring out which stabilizer to use with my old style suspension. So if anyone has some insight into that, I would appreciate your input.

Thanks!

Scott

 

[AEdelheit]

A steering stabilizer dampens quick movements so if you start getting a more feedback especially quick jarring movement through the wheel then the steering damper is likely bad, what you are describing sounds more like alignment issues.

 

[Bob4x4]

The only way to test is to disconnect one end and push/pull it

 

[Wiredawg]

I replaced mine with Bilstein on my former trucks. A steering stabilizer is pretty much like a sideways shock.

Cheers, Ron

 

[Ozymandias]

...and almost not needed on a truck that runs on the road, it is more an offroad accessorie to keep control over the steering hitting real obstacles in the way.

Thats why not all vehicles have them.

@Prairie Dog
You can try this, disassemble your shock and drive around, there will be no difference with or without - if all other parts are in top condition.
If something else is wrong - a good steering damper can hide it for some time.

 

[Prairie Dog]

I disconnected the dampener at one end and it's still very stiff so I suspect its fine. I remember we had a 2WD Toyota p/u many years ago and the dampener was defective. It would allow the front end to shimmy under just the right circumstances, like hitting a minor bump on the highway while going down hill. It was replaced under warranty and never had the problem again. I know, different animal but it was an interesting effect.

I also replaced all the old Bilsteins with new. The new ones are a lot stiffer and have a lot more gas pressure in them.
What a PIA job - glad it's done!

Thx for al the comments.

Scott

 

[Jim W]

I have an 2008 built in Sept. 2007 which I purchased in Nov. 2008. I have the earlier style steering linkage that the 2006-through (could be earlier trucks too) mid-2008 had on them. I never updated to the newer version of steering linkage. I have had several vehicles that have required steering stabilizer such as Jeeps, Fords and Dodge/Ram trucks. I have found that I could never collapse the steering stabilize by hand even when the stabilizer was at the end of it's usefulness. All of my trucks with a straight axle on the front end would exhibit the shimming of the front wheels otherwise known as "DEATH WOBBLE" when the stabilizer was at the end of it's life. This is when I knew it was time to replace the steering stabilizer.

On my current Dodge truck this is the first time that the stabilizer lasted over 100,000 miles, most went out around 70,000 miles or so.
I replaced my current Steering stabilizer when I replaced my shocks at 123,000 miles with a Fox Steering Stabilizer part number 985-24-046. This will fit the old style steering linkage on Dodge trucks. I replaced the shocks with 5100 series Bilstein shocks, could have used the 4600 series but did not like the Blue and Yellow colored shocks on a Silver and Black accented truck.

I see Ozzy, stated that the only real reason for the steering stabilizer is for off road use and not really needed for on-highway/city driving and I basically agree. Except on the US roadway systems were most of the driving is like driving off-road do to the deteriorating conditions of the roadways. I have seen better off roading conditions than the US roads are in, in some cases.

 

[jgillott]

I replaced mine a couple of years ago with a Bilstein. My factory one started leaking oil out of it.

 

[pdxkid]

Some good info here https://www.thurenfabrication.com/tech/death-wobble-in-depth.html about steering dampers and death wobble