will a steering stabilizer help with the wandering steering?

 

It might mask it but not fix it. Better to fix what is makeing it wander than band aid it and take chances with your life.

 

so, a better steering box? i really need to stiffen it up to tow my trailer this spring

 

I believe that a steering stablizer is nessessary on our trucks, especially if you run oversize tires. BUT, You must deturmin where your slop is. The box could be it. Do a search. This subject has been covered many times.

 

i had a new box put in a few months ago(havent towed with it yet). i put a skyjacker stabilizer in it aswell. it was shakey last year but that was before the fix's, hopefully.

i will look into the previous post,thanks

 

My 88 bronco has the slip type steering linking and when I first got the truck it wandered seriously bad, at first I wedged something in between and it helped, but kept falling out. I recently installed a two inch body lift on my truck and it fixed it. So my guess whould be the check the column linkage.

 

good idea, im gonna look into that

 

Glad to help:]

 

Some of the guys have been talking a lot lately about a Steering box, Red Head. So far all i've heard have been praises, you might want to check out that one. Also, if you're running oversized tires you might want to swap the steering pump for a Saginaw unit (E-series, commercial trucks units), almost a direct swap.

 

To merely add to this conversation the thought that anyone would go replacing entire steering gears and consider adding aftermarket parts that are not and were not necessary on the truck originally is ridiculous to me. Might as well put a bandage on a corpse!

Trucks with the Dana Twin Traction Beam axle have, at the very least, FOURTEEN (14) individual wear points in the linkages and suspension components that hold it in place under the front of the truck.

Four (4) ball joints - 2 upper and 2 lower
Two (2) axle pivot bushings
Two (2) radius arm bushings
Four (4) shock bushings (2 per shock not to mention the shocks themselves)
Two (2) tierod ends (outer)

Additionally, some trucks were equipped with dual front shocks which doubles the shock and shock bushing numbers. The front sway bar also has four separate end link bushings.

ALL of the wear points and bushings in question were high density rubber OEM components which vitrify and crush over time and exposure to oil and the elements. The ball-and-socket fittings such as ball joints and rod ends experience wear and deterioration just like any other metal-on-metal friction point. Even with lubrication they get loose over time.

Maybe I'm getting a little uptight over nothing but it would seem by the tenure of this thread that when the light bulb burns out the best suggestion is to replace the whole light fixture or hang another one to help the burned out lamp in the first one!

 

Greystreak is right - a steering stabilizer is nothing more than a band-aid. You shouldn't ever need one. As long as everything else is tight and working correctly, your Bronco will drive like a dream. Mine does! (now)

 

all the bushings have been replaced just in the past year,he new steering box seems to be getting better(maybe a breakin period)

 

Greystreak is right.

I'd like to add a couple of things. He mentioned the two outer tierod ends, but not the one at the pitman arm and the inner one from the left wheel. Wheel bearings and of course the steering gearbox.

If were just talking about steering slop, the shocks and sway bar really dont tecnicly make slop. But they can cause the truck to feel like the steering is sloppy. (if the truck leans left, your likly to steer right even if you shouldnt)

Now, on the subject of steering stablizers. I know I will get some flac for this. They are not a bandade! They are a tremendus advancement in control and safety. If your using it to cover up sloppy components, I agree thats not what its for. I dont want to hear "my truck didnt come with it." Our trucks didnt come with large tires, lockers and all sorts of stuff. That doesnt mean that you dont need them or that they dont make it safer.

When people install disc brakes on older vihicals, I never hear people say "it didnt come with it, so they arnt needed"

 

Grey is always right (apparently), but for me a Red Head Box would be a real improvement, not just throwing parts in for the heck of it. If i'm lucky enough i will be purchasing some on those (and other parts) this year. I want my girl to behave better than new.

 

The bushings have been replaced and are good. But, before you throw money another expensive steering box, I would check out the tie rod ends, all ball joints and even the front wheel bearings like Greystreak92 stated. Not sure what the tolerences were for the steering box reman facillity, but usually there fine. I've also seen the praises of the Red Head steering box in other threads, but a cheaper fix is always better especially if you find something you were'nt looking for. My .02.