Defective stablizer shock.
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2009
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From: Mass
Defective stablizer shock.
Would a Stablizer shock be slow or be sticky in spots? At times the steering is slow to return straight. Everything else is tight and good. It's also a problem that doesn't happen alot. It's a Rancho 5000 that was put on earlier this year. I'd take it off and ride around but as said it's a problem that pops up and gone for a peroid of time. Just wondering if that would be a possiblity. I've got a 06 350, all stock. 77K on it.
9 ECHO 1
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 12,467
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From: Missouri
Just take it off. Some superduties dont come with them at all so you will be fine. I dont recommend keeping it off, but you can have it off long enough to diagnose.
But yes, they can go bad "in stages" as you described.
But yes, they can go bad "in stages" as you described.
Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 10,101
Likes: 40
From: Pa
I wouldn't advise taking the steering stabilizer off permanently. Some experience "death wobble" with the 05'up trucks. The steering stabilizer helps to prevent that. For did some changes on the 08'up trucks to try and get rid of any "death wobble" from happening again.
I would remove the stabilizer and manually cycle it through its operating range and inspect the shaft. The stabilizer should have some resistance both ways the entire length of the stroke. If its bad or bent replace it.
You power steering fluid could be getting old and could use a change, the steering box isn't what it was or you could have some binding in the suspension.(Like tie rod ends, ball joints and etc)
I would remove the stabilizer and manually cycle it through its operating range and inspect the shaft. The stabilizer should have some resistance both ways the entire length of the stroke. If its bad or bent replace it.
You power steering fluid could be getting old and could use a change, the steering box isn't what it was or you could have some binding in the suspension.(Like tie rod ends, ball joints and etc)
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2004
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From: Virginia - SW (Riner)
If yours came with a rubber boot on the end - check it. My would bunch up and cause the steering to briefly stick when turning left. Ended up having to trim a little off of the end of the boot that slips over the shock body to keep it from bunching up.
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From: Mass
Thanks to all for the replies. I got nailed with that big storm here in the Northeast this past weekend and lost a lot. Time was spent cleaning up and not the problem The truck did survive though safe in the garage. 
Anyway what I did notice today is after a turn it felt like the truck would straighten but would keep turning slightly.. In other words out of a right turn it would turn past the point of straight and to the left slightly if I let it. Also too I notice after a few turns it would be fine.As if the oil inside was transferring normally. I did lift up the front end and turn side to side with everything fine. I'm going to go with removing and try it out without it. I did check the shaft, fine and boot binding, fine too. I might add I just had an front alignment done with the new tires.....oh well..
Anyway what I did notice today is after a turn it felt like the truck would straighten but would keep turning slightly.. In other words out of a right turn it would turn past the point of straight and to the left slightly if I let it. Also too I notice after a few turns it would be fine.As if the oil inside was transferring normally. I did lift up the front end and turn side to side with everything fine. I'm going to go with removing and try it out without it. I did check the shaft, fine and boot binding, fine too. I might add I just had an front alignment done with the new tires.....oh well..
Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 10,101
Likes: 40
From: Pa
I hear you about the storm. I have relatives that were out of power since saturday. The electric company says they will get to their area on Friday.
Thats how my truck felt when my steering stabilizer shaft was bent. You could have some binding somewhere in the steering system or maybe your ball joints are a little screwed. The OE ball joints are not greasable so if they get dry and start to bind you have to replace them. New power steering fluid can also improve the feel of the steering and help with the return. Are your new tires a different size or have a substantially more aggressive tread than the old tires?
Thats how my truck felt when my steering stabilizer shaft was bent. You could have some binding somewhere in the steering system or maybe your ball joints are a little screwed. The OE ball joints are not greasable so if they get dry and start to bind you have to replace them. New power steering fluid can also improve the feel of the steering and help with the return. Are your new tires a different size or have a substantially more aggressive tread than the old tires?
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Joined: Mar 2009
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From: Mass
I got around to doing something about this since it got worse. I took off my stabilizer shock. I notice the shock would stick in any position. You had to apply a great deal of force to move it. I drove around with it off and big difference in steering. I put a Bilstien 5100 on I had ordered before hand. Good thing too because I mashed the stud taking it off.(I had a credit with Summit) and now it's back to normal. My tires are stock, 275/18.
The old shock was a Rancho 5000 less then a year old. i don't off road and no dings or damage to the thing ether.
The old shock was a Rancho 5000 less then a year old. i don't off road and no dings or damage to the thing ether.
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