Steering stabilizer ?
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 392
Likes: 1
From: Listowel, Ont.
Steering stabilizer ?
OK, maybe it's quite obvious, but do you REALLY need one?
A buddy of mine was checking under the front of the truck the other day, and asked me why I don't have one. My answer......"that's the way I bought the truck."
So again, Does it REALLY need to have one, and what are the advantages?
What brand do you recommend?
A buddy of mine was checking under the front of the truck the other day, and asked me why I don't have one. My answer......"that's the way I bought the truck."
So again, Does it REALLY need to have one, and what are the advantages?
What brand do you recommend?
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 365
Likes: 4
From: Round Rock, TX
The quick answer is, it's not required.
That said, it's a nice feature that gives the truck better driving characteristics. I had to remove mine once after damaging it out at our ranch. It was a 120 mile drive back to Round Rock and you could definitely tell the steering wheel was "easier" to maneuver but not in a good way. I found it less controllable.
The lack of the stabilizer was most noticeable when hitting pot-holes or bumps in the road. When this happened you would experience "bump steer". It effectively means that you didn't have much control over the steering after hitting imperfections in the road.
I think everyone would prefer having a stabilizer but it's by no means required. I find it just gives the truck a better feel when driving, outside of that, no real advantage IMO.
That said, it's a nice feature that gives the truck better driving characteristics. I had to remove mine once after damaging it out at our ranch. It was a 120 mile drive back to Round Rock and you could definitely tell the steering wheel was "easier" to maneuver but not in a good way. I found it less controllable.
The lack of the stabilizer was most noticeable when hitting pot-holes or bumps in the road. When this happened you would experience "bump steer". It effectively means that you didn't have much control over the steering after hitting imperfections in the road.
I think everyone would prefer having a stabilizer but it's by no means required. I find it just gives the truck a better feel when driving, outside of that, no real advantage IMO.
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,313
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From: Sunny, Snowy, CO
No, it works in any situation you encounter "bump steer" as mentioned above. There are spots out here I'd like to have one, but not very often. If you turn up the damping on it, it can make it feel like you don't have power steering, but that's bad on the power steering pump, too. Some are fully adjustable, and some just have a factory setting of around 6lbs of damping. They are a must-have on a motorcycle if you like going into sweepers at 120+mph. Otherwise you can develop some serious head shake.
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,519
Likes: 1
From: Wyandotte, Michigan
Now if you look closely on your steering linkages you may find one. I am not sure what year but they relocated them higher up into the engine compartment. I thought I didn't have one on my 05 but sure enough I looked up higher and there it was. Oh, I wouldn't drive the freeway without one with Michigan roads and the potholes. Helps keep the steering wheel from jumping out of my hands.
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Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 10,101
Likes: 40
From: Pa
My 04' did not come with a steering stabilizer from the factory. I drove it without the stabilizer for years before I put one on. A steering stabilizer is not a must have but helps smooth the steering jerks out from bumps. A steering stabilizer is not just for offroad use, it helps out greatly on the road as well, lets face it the roads are not getting any better.
After seeing how vulnerable the stock stabilizer on my dads 03' was to being hit I went a different route and fabbed up my own mounts. I used a Napa steering stabilizer along with my custom mounts to mount the stabilizer between the axle and the tie rod. You can't even see it when looking under the truck and theres no way it will get hit like the OE setup. The stabilizer really helps to keep the steering from jerking when hitting a pothole or bump.
After seeing how vulnerable the stock stabilizer on my dads 03' was to being hit I went a different route and fabbed up my own mounts. I used a Napa steering stabilizer along with my custom mounts to mount the stabilizer between the axle and the tie rod. You can't even see it when looking under the truck and theres no way it will get hit like the OE setup. The stabilizer really helps to keep the steering from jerking when hitting a pothole or bump.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,112
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From: South Shore, MA
My 02 also DID NOT come with one. I added a dual stabilizer from Rough Country. I don't off-road all that much but I do plow and tow and live in MA. MA is notorious for it's pot-holes.
I noticed a smoother steering ride and less feedback from the wheel.
Was it necessary, no. But it helped & it looks cool.
I noticed a smoother steering ride and less feedback from the wheel.
Was it necessary, no. But it helped & it looks cool.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 146
Likes: 0
From: Hanover Park, Illinois
My truck description is in my signature, and also did not come with one. I figured a 350 dually would, but hmmph... Does anyone know if the mounts are there and I can just add one, or is it something I'm going to have to look aftermarket for? If yes to the aftermarket, any suggestions? Nothing too expensive or hardcore, I RARELY offroad, but the bump steer from the highways here in the Chicago Suburbs are terrible.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 440
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From: Montana
Here is the one I bought. Defiantly an improvement in steering.
KYB shocks and struts for cars and trucks - Shockwarehouse.com
KYB shocks and struts for cars and trucks - Shockwarehouse.com
Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 10,101
Likes: 40
From: Pa
Does anyone know if the mounts are there and I can just add one, or is it something I'm going to have to look aftermarket for?