2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission steering stabilizer

[cmills]

How do I tell if my steering stabilizer is bad? Because my truck has a sort of knocking feel in the steering and i have checked all I can think of and can find nothing wrong. This is the last thing I can think of but I don't know how to tell if it is bad. Also where can I get an aftermarket one that will fit?



Thanks,

Cory

 

[Todd G]

I bought a Gabriel from AutoZone last week for $21. It looks the same as a Rancho and connects with the stock hardware. I used a 14" pipe wrench to get the old one off as I did not have a puller. When I took the old one off I could easily move the piston with little resistance. Toasted at 75k miles.

 

[cmills]

Thanks Todd, I read that you need to be careful that they aren't just selling you a shock and that it is actually a steering stabilizer, How do you tell the difference?



Thanks,

Cory

 

[Todd G]

Other than the box it came in and the mounting hardware, it would be hard to tell the difference. The new Gabriel was very hard to compress and extend. I could barely do it at the counter. It's about 10 times harder than the stock one that's used up.

 

[cmills]

Thanks again Todd, what was your truck doing that led you to believe that the steering stabilizer was bad, and did the new one correct the problem? Mine has a sort of knocking feel in the steering(thats the best I can explain it) I would go to the dealer and get one but I bet it would cost an arm and a leg, plus the one you got at Auto Zone is probably just as good.



Thanks again,

Cory

 

[Todd G]

I had a bad case of what we're calling the Death Wobble, a violent shaking of the front end after hitting a pothole. I had just put on new Bilstein shocks so I knew that wasn't the cause. Next on the checklist was the steering stabilizer and that seems to have cured the problem. I would just take the old one off and cycle it by hand. You'll know if it's worn out.

 

[cmills]

Thanks Todd, I'll try that as soon as I get my truck back. (Its getting painted)





Thanks,

Cory

 

[JThomas]

The difference between a shock and a steering stabilizer : A shock has high resistance when extending, not so much compressing. Lets the wheel go up quickly, return slowly. A steering stab has high resistance in both directions to stop the wheels from shimmying both ways. Volkswagens and most trucks become undriveable when the stab goes.

 

[cmills]

Thanks JThomas, Maybe mine isn't bad because it doesn't really drive bad it just has a knocking feel in the steering.



Cory

 

[Ted Constantine]

Cory i have a similar knock in my steering right now and can not find a reason for it. i know my stablizer is weak because I get some bump steer but I don't think it is the cause of my knock. It is either in the steering box or the intermediate shaft I think. I am going to take the truck into the dealer next week (guess i should call and tell them now that I think about it) to let the warrenty take a crack at it before I start replacing parts myself. warrenty has replaced one steering box, a steering stabilizer, two trac bars (before I broke down and bought the DT). i am also wondering if it could be a sign of control arm bushings getting loose????



ted

 

[outlawram]

Coryand Ted,

Mine did the clunking thing when i turned the wheel. They replaced the intermediate shaft and it took care of it.

 

[cmills]

thanks guys, here's a dumb question what is the intermediate shaft? Is the steering shaft from the steering column down to the steering box or is it something else? I also noticed that I have a little bit of play in the pitman arm where it comes out of the steering box but it must not be too bad because it is not leaking oil.



Thanks again,

Cory

 

[Ted Constantine]

yeah Cory it is the shaft from the column for the box. The factory unit is a POS and is notorious for going bad.



Ted

 

[cmills]

steering shaft

thanks Ted, How do you tell if it is bad? I checked for play in mine but the only movement that I really had was a little in the steering box.







Cory