steering stabilizer
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Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,895
Likes: 183
steering stabilizer
The stock stabilizer was nearly 5 years old so I put the Bilstein on. It doesn't seem any better than stock. What stabilizers have you had luck with? Truck has Falken Wildpeaks in stock size. I think they are heavier than the stock Goodyear so probably why I notice it more.
On an older SD I tried the Fox ATS adjustable. Didn't like it at all. Had no effect except when on the highest setting and then was too tight to turn.
On an older SD I tried the Fox ATS adjustable. Didn't like it at all. Had no effect except when on the highest setting and then was too tight to turn.
Tuned
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 350
Likes: 99
From: Huntsville
Assume you are talking about your 2020. I'll say, I do notice a bit more bump steer in my '23 than I had in my '15. I decreased my front tire pressure from 80psi to 65psi on my '23 which seemed to help some. On my '15, I swapped the caster bushings to increase caster, but I did that to help with death wobble.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 4,410
Likes: 1,015
From: Central KY
The stabilizer will not affect things much. I too took my stock piece off at 85k miles or so and installed the Bilstein. No change. I didn't really expect any. I grew up around HD trucks and Jeeps and most of the time you could take the stabilizer totally off and drive and not miss it. It's really there for ROUGH conditions just to take out some of the jarring. Not going to change much of anything on pavement.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 7,946
Likes: 4,037
It's technically a steering Damper, not a stabilizer. It is there to dampen road shock on the steering gear. A side effect is killing DW before it starts and to take up some of the slack of worn parts. I noticed on the 2012 that it (the Bilstien) would push the steering a bit to the right ( I think*) when it was new from the amount of gas in the shock. It replaced a new OEM one, and it killed DW. Once I rebuilt the front end, it was no longer needed and made zero difference to the steering. Worn parts are more the issue here than the damper.
* can't remember which side is fixed to the frame, the push was opposite it.
* can't remember which side is fixed to the frame, the push was opposite it.
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Thread Starter
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Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,895
Likes: 183
It's technically a steering Damper, not a stabilizer. It is there to dampen road shock on the steering gear. A side effect is killing DW before it starts and to take up some of the slack of worn parts. I noticed on the 2012 that it (the Bilstien) would push the steering a bit to the right ( I think*) when it was new from the amount of gas in the shock. It replaced a new OEM one, and it killed DW. Once I rebuilt the front end, it was no longer needed and made zero difference to the steering. Worn parts are more the issue here than the damper.
* can't remember which side is fixed to the frame, the push was opposite it.
* can't remember which side is fixed to the frame, the push was opposite it.
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 2,812
Likes: 1,176
From: Southeast MO
I've said this in every thread about steering stabilizers. The factory one is not in the most ideal position. It needs to be on the same plane as the steering itself. It's why the older Super Duties and any serious off road vehicle has them mounted on the tie rod and axle housing. The Fox ATS is terrible, if you tighten it enough it proves my point because as the suspension travels up and down it will move your steering wheel left and right. Ditch the factory location and install a single or dual setup like I mentioned.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 1,297
Likes: 170
From: Hunterdon Cnty N.J.
I felt loosness driving off the lot with my 2019 250 gas. Having read all the DW posts I didnt waste any time replacing my stabilizer with a King unit. When I got the stock unit out at 5,000 miles it had 1/2" of free play right at dead center. Ford was dancing around... coming out with new warrantee replacements, and at the time people were still having problems.
I have 65,000 on it now. No unexpected steering feedback.
20" stock wheels with 295/65/20 Toyo AT3s and snow plow prep.
I have 65,000 on it now. No unexpected steering feedback.
20" stock wheels with 295/65/20 Toyo AT3s and snow plow prep.
Tuned
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 277
Likes: 37
From: Littleton, CO
I've said this in every thread about steering stabilizers. The factory one is not in the most ideal position. It needs to be on the same plane as the steering itself. It's why the older Super Duties and any serious off road vehicle has them mounted on the tie rod and axle housing. The Fox ATS is terrible, if you tighten it enough it proves my point because as the suspension travels up and down it will move your steering wheel left and right. Ditch the factory location and install a single or dual setup like I mentioned.
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 14,211
Likes: 2,170
The stock stabilizer was nearly 5 years old so I put the Bilstein on. It doesn't seem any better than stock. What stabilizers have you had luck with? Truck has Falken Wildpeaks in stock size. I think they are heavier than the stock Goodyear so probably why I notice it more.
On an older SD I tried the Fox ATS adjustable. Didn't like it at all. Had no effect except when on the highest setting and then was too tight to turn.
On an older SD I tried the Fox ATS adjustable. Didn't like it at all. Had no effect except when on the highest setting and then was too tight to turn.
the stock item is a damper to prevent bump steer
steering stabilizers (dual or single) are a different animal and mount in a different place.