2003 F250 Super Duty 7.3l 4x4 - is a Steering Stabilizer needed?

While I am down here in Santa Rosa waiting for the PCM install at 1pm today, I got under the truck and applied my Corroseal to most all the lightly rusted areas and then went back over that with some flat black spray paint. While I was under the front of the truck I noticed there is No Steering Stabilizer on the steering.

*I am wondering what peoples opinions are as to what a steering stabilizer does/helps in the steering system on these 4x4's?

Also, I believe the passenger side steering stabilizer mount has been Bent Up onto itself, I dont know if this was on purcpose or what.

(The truck was wondering on the road so I adjusted the steering gear, the adjusting screw turned inwards one full turn before stopping and then I backed the screw out one quarter turn and then locked it in place. It seemed to take out about half of the wondering. I had my friend turn the steer wheel back and forth several times while I watched all the steering components, the two tie rod ens going from inner wheel to inner wheel were the only things that appeared to have a little flex at their mount points so I will replace those two with new ones fairly soon.)

Thank you

 

Do you drive off pavement? Now back in the day when all we had was Armstrong steering, heck yes, get the stabilizer. Can't tell you how many times I was driving along and the wheel would jerk real hard this way or that in the '71 F100. A new stabilizer made it much easier on my wrists. Nowadays with power steering you won't feel the difference the same, but it will lessen the shock on your steering components a bit when you hit a basketball sized rock or perpendicular rut in the road

If you never ever leave pavement you'll probably never encounter a reason to offset the expense. Just do what the cool Bruhs do and spray paint 2 Pringle cans silver and slap a Fox sticker on em and zip tie them in place where the stabilizer would go

I kid

 

Looks to me like somebody used that mount location as a jacking point and crushed it closed real good.

After driving my pavement queen truck (01 F350 CCLB Dually) for 20 years without a stabilizer, last year I installed a Bilstein
The steering feels stiffer in the corners for sure. Did it help with any wandering? I dunno, maybe, I guess.

Could just be a placebo effect that helps me to justify the purchase. Would I do it again? Yes.

 

I drive on dirt Forest Service roads a lot, so I'll always have a stabilizer on my truck to help soften the wheel jerks when you hit a hole or big rocks, etc. And NO... I don't drive this heavy *** truck into deep mud holes like crazy jeepers do !
If I was hauling heavy loads or an RV, I'll still have a stabilizer, to help control any sway you might have.

 

Adjusting the steering gear preload is a game of millimeters. If you feel tightness when going lock to lock back it off a tad.

Best to replace any parts adding slop to the steering then see if the steering gear needs further adjustment.

FWIW I thought all the 4X4 models had a steering stabilizer. But as mentioned above if your use of the truck does not include wonky offroad surfaces that cause the wheel to jerk then, well, you don't need one.

 

I developed some wander in my front end. Tightened the steering box, helped slightly, but no cure. Changed the entire steering assembly with a moog brand complete set. Helped but no cure. Bought a blue top steering box and while installing I found the source of the issue.....

local for shop had a replacement steering in stock. Updated version that fits a number of years .

 

 

Now I feel like I need to check mine... Thanks for sharing this; I'm sure is a very overlooked item