Will front stabilizer tighten slop?
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 154
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Will front stabilizer tighten slop?
I’ve replaced everything on the front suspension on my 97 SC F250. All new steering gear (blue top), shocks, front springs, bushings, tie rods, etc. I even swapped the old intermediate shaft with a Borgeson solid type. I have a bit of play in the steering still. I can rock the steering wheel about 1/2” left to right without any real effect on steering. I don’t get any wander and truck tracks perfectly straight. Would a front stabilizer shock tighten/improve the “feel” of the front end?
Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 4,197
Likes: 558
From: Central Wisconsin
If you have play in the wheel that isn't moving the tie rods at all, a steering stabilizer will have no effect on that.
A lot of times, that play is from the tie rods moving a little bit, the gear in the steering gear boxes meshing, the joints in the column coming together, etc adding up. Even brand new parts will have a little bit of "slop" to them, or the whole system would be all bound up.
A lot of times, that play is from the tie rods moving a little bit, the gear in the steering gear boxes meshing, the joints in the column coming together, etc adding up. Even brand new parts will have a little bit of "slop" to them, or the whole system would be all bound up.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 1,840
Likes: 367
From: Candy Mountain
It will not impact the play in the wheel. It will help absorb shocks and add a marginal amount of turning resistance.
All you can do is look for what it is downstream that isn't moving when you turn the wheel.
Leaf sprung or coils?
All you can do is look for what it is downstream that isn't moving when you turn the wheel.
Leaf sprung or coils?
Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 950
Likes: 187
From: Carnation, Wah
2 places to look:
Steering box- if that 1/2" of turn isn't doing anything to the output shaft of the box, NOTHING'S going to change.
Toe- too much toe- in will give you nice, stable steering at the expense of some road feel.
Easy to test by adding just a 1/6th turn out on each side and see if the feel changes.
t
Steering box- if that 1/2" of turn isn't doing anything to the output shaft of the box, NOTHING'S going to change.
Toe- too much toe- in will give you nice, stable steering at the expense of some road feel.
Easy to test by adding just a 1/6th turn out on each side and see if the feel changes.
t
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 9,621
Likes: 1,192
From: San Jose, CA
Maybe I haven't spent as much time in the '93 as I should in order to answer this with actual knowledge, but at just 1/2" play in each direction, that sounds extremely tight for an old truck with a gearbox instead of rack-n-pinion steering.
I thought that was just the nature of the beast. If you get zero play that would really be something I think.
So yes, that sounds normal for a truck of even '97 vintage. That was the last of the old body style, and as far as I know they used the same steering gearbox all the way back to '80. Maybe with some modifications, but probably not much.
However, there are things that do create looseness in the old trucks that can be gotten rid of. Cracked frames and crossmembers (especially on the TTB trucks) worn out or flexy tie-rods (especially notable with larger tires), loose wheel bearings, worn out tires, etc, etc, etc.
Is your truck stock, or lifted? Are the tires stock size, or larger?
None of the above necessarily adds "play" to the system, but they can exaggerate the symptoms.
Good luck.
But I'm still thinking it's normal.
Paul
I thought that was just the nature of the beast. If you get zero play that would really be something I think.
So yes, that sounds normal for a truck of even '97 vintage. That was the last of the old body style, and as far as I know they used the same steering gearbox all the way back to '80. Maybe with some modifications, but probably not much.
However, there are things that do create looseness in the old trucks that can be gotten rid of. Cracked frames and crossmembers (especially on the TTB trucks) worn out or flexy tie-rods (especially notable with larger tires), loose wheel bearings, worn out tires, etc, etc, etc.
Is your truck stock, or lifted? Are the tires stock size, or larger?
None of the above necessarily adds "play" to the system, but they can exaggerate the symptoms.
Good luck.
But I'm still thinking it's normal.
Paul
Hotshot
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 12,903
Likes: 2,450
Maybe I haven't spent as much time in the '93 as I should in order to answer this with actual knowledge, but at just 1/2" play in each direction, that sounds extremely tight for an old truck with a gearbox instead of rack-n-pinion steering.
Good luck.
But I'm still thinking it's normal.
Paul
Good luck.
But I'm still thinking it's normal.
Paul
The tires start turning after only 1/4” of movement from the steering wheel. You won’t get the same kind of road feel from a recirculating ball gearbox that you do from rack and pinion. is this your first vehicle without rack and pinion? Just curious.
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From: Central Mississippi
Crack the lock nut holding the adjustment screw on top of steering box loose.
Turn the adjustment screw in/clockwise 1/4 turn & hold while tightening down lock nut.
If this eliminates your play, enjoy. You now have two options.
A) go to junk yard & get an identical box & send to Red Head for rebuilding. B) wait till it wears & get looser than before & then send your original to Redhead & wait.
Is not cheap.
(edit, yes there are rag joints)
https://redheadsteeringgears.com/
Turn the adjustment screw in/clockwise 1/4 turn & hold while tightening down lock nut.
If this eliminates your play, enjoy. You now have two options.
A) go to junk yard & get an identical box & send to Red Head for rebuilding. B) wait till it wears & get looser than before & then send your original to Redhead & wait.
Is not cheap.
(edit, yes there are rag joints)
https://redheadsteeringgears.com/
Hotshot
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 12,903
Likes: 2,450
Crack the lock nut holding the adjustment screw on top of steering box loose.
Turn the adjustment screw in/clockwise 1/4 turn & hold while tightening down lock nut.
If this eliminates your play, enjoy. You now have two options.
A) go to junk yard & get an identical box & send to Red Head for rebuilding. B) wait till it wears & get looser than before & then send your original to Redhead & wait.
Is not cheap.
(edit, yes there are rag joints)
https://redheadsteeringgears.com/
Turn the adjustment screw in/clockwise 1/4 turn & hold while tightening down lock nut.
If this eliminates your play, enjoy. You now have two options.
A) go to junk yard & get an identical box & send to Red Head for rebuilding. B) wait till it wears & get looser than before & then send your original to Redhead & wait.
Is not cheap.
(edit, yes there are rag joints)
https://redheadsteeringgears.com/
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 154
Likes: 0
I’m thinking it’s just normal for the truck. I didn’t realize that steering gear vs rack and pinion was a contributing factor. Since everything is basically new, I think I should just be happy it’s as good as it is. I have a small lift (leveling kit) and nearly 35” tires, so aim sure this plays a role as well.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 9,621
Likes: 1,192
From: San Jose, CA
You might have play simply while waiting for the tire's sidewalls to catch up with the wheels.
You might have play while waiting for the steering linkages, now possibly at steeper angles try to catch up.
Suspension lifts and big tires are a part of life, but it's a fact of that life that they change the way a vehicle acts and reacts when compared to stock.
Overall though, it sounds like yours is doing fantastic for what it is.
Paul
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