Steering stabilizer
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Junior User
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 64
Likes: 1
Steering stabilizer
I bought a Fox steering stabilizer for my 2009 Ford E350; anybody have tried one like this already?
I read somewhere that there are three holes in the frame from the factory for this stabilizer assembly but they need to be tapped to match the hardware but I’m not sure if this applies for my van.
Anybody have any input in this?
I read somewhere that there are three holes in the frame from the factory for this stabilizer assembly but they need to be tapped to match the hardware but I’m not sure if this applies for my van.
Anybody have any input in this?
Freshman User
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: Louisville
I had a Ford steering stabilizer from a 2002 E350 ambulance on my 2004 E150 for awhile.
The bolts and nuts that came with the stabilizer fit the 3 existing holes in the frame with no tapping needed.
I was trying to solve a steering "wandering" problem, and the van just had new ball joints installed.
The tight ball joints plus the stabilizer made the steering wheel way too hard to turn, so I removed the stabilizer.
The "wandering" problem turned out to be mainly a worn lower bushing in the steering gearbox, and a worn
pitman arm bushing.
The bolts and nuts that came with the stabilizer fit the 3 existing holes in the frame with no tapping needed.
I was trying to solve a steering "wandering" problem, and the van just had new ball joints installed.
The tight ball joints plus the stabilizer made the steering wheel way too hard to turn, so I removed the stabilizer.
The "wandering" problem turned out to be mainly a worn lower bushing in the steering gearbox, and a worn
pitman arm bushing.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 21,253
Likes: 1,656
From: Reynoldsburg, Ohio
As a suggestion before installing the stabilizer make sure the rest of your suspension is in near-new condition. My '03 E250 extended body work only van with 270K miles needs shocks and with my daily driver weight at 7,800 # its a handful to keep straight. New BIlstein's are in the mail but its not fun fighting the wheel to stay between the lines.
At any rate the stabilizer is a good idea but its not a cure for other issues or parts that need refreshing. I installed one using Ford parts and it didn't have any noticeable effect so it was removed and all sold to another member here---he loves it, go figure.
There are other threads here about this topic--link to two of them:
Steering Stabilizer 1
Steering Stabilizer 2
At any rate the stabilizer is a good idea but its not a cure for other issues or parts that need refreshing. I installed one using Ford parts and it didn't have any noticeable effect so it was removed and all sold to another member here---he loves it, go figure.
There are other threads here about this topic--link to two of them:
Steering Stabilizer 1
Steering Stabilizer 2
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 135
Likes: 7
From: 51.6N 114.7W
Wandering corrected with +caster
POPULAR MECHANICS MAY 1973:
START QUOTE:
If too little caster exists, the car will wander and weave,
thus necessitating constant corrections in steering.
END QUOTE:
POPULAR MECHANICS MAY 1973:
START QUOTE:
If too little caster exists, the car will wander and weave,
thus necessitating constant corrections in steering.
END QUOTE:
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 64
Likes: 1
I had a Ford steering stabilizer from a 2002 E350 ambulance on my 2004 E150 for awhile.
The bolts and nuts that came with the stabilizer fit the 3 existing holes in the frame with no tapping needed.
I was trying to solve a steering "wandering" problem, and the van just had new ball joints installed.
The tight ball joints plus the stabilizer made the steering wheel way too hard to turn, so I removed the stabilizer.
The "wandering" problem turned out to be mainly a worn lower bushing in the steering gearbox, and a worn
pitman arm bushing.
The bolts and nuts that came with the stabilizer fit the 3 existing holes in the frame with no tapping needed.
I was trying to solve a steering "wandering" problem, and the van just had new ball joints installed.
The tight ball joints plus the stabilizer made the steering wheel way too hard to turn, so I removed the stabilizer.
The "wandering" problem turned out to be mainly a worn lower bushing in the steering gearbox, and a worn
pitman arm bushing.
pitman arm bushing just in case.
As a suggestion before installing the stabilizer make sure the rest of your suspension is in near-new condition. My '03 E250 extended body work only van with 270K miles needs shocks and with my daily driver weight at 7,800 # its a handful to keep straight. New BIlstein's are in the mail but its not fun fighting the wheel to stay between the lines.
At any rate the stabilizer is a good idea but its not a cure for other issues or parts that need refreshing. I installed one using Ford parts and it didn't have any noticeable effect so it was removed and all sold to another member here---he loves it, go figure.
There are other threads here about this topic--link to two of them:
Steering Stabilizer 1
Steering Stabilizer 2
At any rate the stabilizer is a good idea but its not a cure for other issues or parts that need refreshing. I installed one using Ford parts and it didn't have any noticeable effect so it was removed and all sold to another member here---he loves it, go figure.
There are other threads here about this topic--link to two of them:
Steering Stabilizer 1
Steering Stabilizer 2
BIistein’s are on the wish list for sure, I just need to make sure nothing else need to changed.
Wandering corrected with +caster
POPULAR MECHANICS MAY 1973:
START QUOTE:
If too little caster exists, the car will wander and weave,
thus necessitating constant corrections in steering.
END QUOTE:
POPULAR MECHANICS MAY 1973:
START QUOTE:
If too little caster exists, the car will wander and weave,
thus necessitating constant corrections in steering.
END QUOTE:
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 64
Likes: 1
Finish the install today. I had to drill 4 holes in the frame, that was a major pain in the rear, but besides that it was straight forward.
Drove it an the ride is much better, still I need shocks but getting there.
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