Front steering stabilizer?
Thread Starter
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Cross-Country
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 88
Likes: 12
Front steering stabilizer?
Ok I have a 2022 F350 I tow with frequently probably 60-70% of the time and I put a leveling kit and 35”s on it. The front end drifts on me for obvious reasons. To help with this I am planning on installing a front stabilizer as I did it on my 13 and it was much more stable. Any suggestions on what to go with I don’t feel like dumping 100s into it as I had great luck with the simple rough country brand before. Only thing I’m thinking about doing is going with the dual rather than single any thoughts?
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 4,129
Likes: 1,649
1st I would ask: Does it drift even when you're unloaded? If so your alignment is off. Take it and have an alignment done on it.
2nd I would ask: What kind of trailer are you towing? If it doesn't drift when you're unloaded but does when you're loaded, you're taking far too much weight off your front axle and need to rectify THAT problem before adding a stabilizer - a stabilizer is just masking other issues.
If it's a fifth wheel/gooseneck then you need to redistribute the weight to take some weight off the rear of the truck, this will help with the drifting feeling.
If it is a bumper-pull style then you might be overloading it a bit, you can either readjust your load to take weight off the ball or buy a WDH to transfer some of that weight back to the front axle, which will likely fix the problem. More to hook up but it'll be a safer tow.
If none of these help then I'd go for the stabilizer - but try to fix the problem properly before throwing duct tape on it and hoping for the best.
2nd I would ask: What kind of trailer are you towing? If it doesn't drift when you're unloaded but does when you're loaded, you're taking far too much weight off your front axle and need to rectify THAT problem before adding a stabilizer - a stabilizer is just masking other issues.
If it's a fifth wheel/gooseneck then you need to redistribute the weight to take some weight off the rear of the truck, this will help with the drifting feeling.
If it is a bumper-pull style then you might be overloading it a bit, you can either readjust your load to take weight off the ball or buy a WDH to transfer some of that weight back to the front axle, which will likely fix the problem. More to hook up but it'll be a safer tow.
If none of these help then I'd go for the stabilizer - but try to fix the problem properly before throwing duct tape on it and hoping for the best.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 23,174
Likes: 1,678
From: Stephensville WI
Putting a steering stabilizer cured your drifting front steering?
Didn't your last truck have a factory stabilizer? Does your 2022 have a stabilizer?
I'm not trying to be obtuse, but it isn't at all obvious to me why your truck drifts. Is it because you have a lift and 35s?
Didn't your last truck have a factory stabilizer? Does your 2022 have a stabilizer?
I'm not trying to be obtuse, but it isn't at all obvious to me why your truck drifts. Is it because you have a lift and 35s?
Thread Starter
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Cross-Country
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 88
Likes: 12
To answer a few questions i did't think of explaining at 1st. It has been aligned and all of that trusting the alignment shop is good it does not drift really at all without the trailer. I Don't have it overly tongue heavy but it is a little bit. A lot of it has to do with the road system specifically where I live little ruts and what not throughout the road just drags and pulls me everywhere, it does it regardless of the trailer or what I'm pulling it does it with my boat, mowers, empty trailer did the exact same thing on old F350 I had.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 2,251
Likes: 563
why does every one of these trucks need two or three steering stabilizers after you put leveling pucks on ?
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Tuned
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 385
Likes: 197
From: San Diego
I have a 2019 F350 SRW CCLB and Im running 35" Toyo MT tires with some Method 305NVHD wheels.
I used to have the stock front stabilizer and front swaybar that comes from the factory.
Got rid of those and went with a HBR swaybar and a BDS dual stabilizer set-up with some Fox 2.0's
Since I have the 2.0's all around I wanted to keep it somewhat standardized.
I got it from Stage 3 Motorsports for like 5 bills shipped to the house. Took about an hr to install.
It actually made a pretty big difference and reduced any chatter that I would get when off road hauling my camper.
Rollin down the freeway at 70+ with just a single hand on the wheel is cake.
I used to have the stock front stabilizer and front swaybar that comes from the factory.
Got rid of those and went with a HBR swaybar and a BDS dual stabilizer set-up with some Fox 2.0's
Since I have the 2.0's all around I wanted to keep it somewhat standardized.
I got it from Stage 3 Motorsports for like 5 bills shipped to the house. Took about an hr to install.
It actually made a pretty big difference and reduced any chatter that I would get when off road hauling my camper.
Rollin down the freeway at 70+ with just a single hand on the wheel is cake.
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Cross-Country
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 75
Likes: 33
From: Texas
I have a 22' Dually with 2.5" leveling kit and 35's. I swapped out the factory stabilizer for a Bilstein 5100 factory replacement when I installed the leveling kit for piece of mind. I don't feel any drifting at all when towing heavy loads. One hand on the wheel at 70+. They sell for about $100. Worth a try.
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 14,298
Likes: 2,197
the correct solution would be to add caster. there are caster kits as well as pinion arm drop kits that will easily add caster.
but since the dual steering stabilizers look cooler....more of that will go on.
Thread Starter
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Cross-Country
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 88
Likes: 12
folks are incorrectly trying to use more steering dampening to control the effects of loss of caster. they do a lift or level and get a case of wobblely woes and conclude they need something to keep the tires firm ...so they add dampening in the form of steering stabilizers.....it feels different...so the assumption is that its better.
the correct solution would be to add caster. there are caster kits as well as pinion arm drop kits that will easily add caster.
but since the dual steering stabilizers look cooler....more of that will go on.
the correct solution would be to add caster. there are caster kits as well as pinion arm drop kits that will easily add caster.
but since the dual steering stabilizers look cooler....more of that will go on.
I already did the casters when it was realigned........
Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 2,970
Likes: 2,407
From: Ridgway, CO
Take the leveling pucks out, you don't need them anyway... That will get back some more caster which is the actual cure for the wandering. More better stabilizers are unlikely to cure your issue.
At 20k miles I replaced my steering stabilizer with a $100 Bilstien 5100. My truck has never wandered but with lots of rough road use my stock stabilizer was allowing some wobble in the steering. New, better quality version has kept that wobble in check for over 20k more miles now.
So nothing wrong with updating shocks and the stabilizer but I would not expect it will help a wandering truck issue. Good Luck
At 20k miles I replaced my steering stabilizer with a $100 Bilstien 5100. My truck has never wandered but with lots of rough road use my stock stabilizer was allowing some wobble in the steering. New, better quality version has kept that wobble in check for over 20k more miles now.
So nothing wrong with updating shocks and the stabilizer but I would not expect it will help a wandering truck issue. Good Luck
Tuned
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 266
Likes: 26
From: Wisconsin
2017 f350 6.7 - I have installed a 2” level , dual steering stabilizer, track bar and 5100 Bilstein shocks. I think it rides really well. It rides so well in fact that my wife likes driving it better than her Subaru. 😂
Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 2,044
Likes: 1,336
I like modifying my truck and that includes adjusting ride height but you just have to make sure you correct other things when doing it.
it’s as simple as making sure after you lift the truck you address:
—track bar angle/length
—caster (with cams and/or radius arm adjustment)
—steering stabilizer when you go with heavier tires
And there other things you can adjust, but really the above is a minimum and should get the truck to ride as good (or even better) than stock.
so yeah most guys here are right that a stabilizer isn’t the cure for everything but it’s part of a good overall plan.
folks are incorrectly trying to use more steering dampening to control the effects of loss of caster. they do a lift or level and get a case of wobblely woes and conclude they need something to keep the tires firm ...so they add dampening in the form of steering stabilizers.....it feels different...so the assumption is that its better.
the correct solution would be to add caster. there are caster kits as well as pinion arm drop kits that will easily add caster.
but since the dual steering stabilizers look cooler....more of that will go on.
the correct solution would be to add caster. there are caster kits as well as pinion arm drop kits that will easily add caster.
but since the dual steering stabilizers look cooler....more of that will go on.