Are steering stabilizer needed??

[Sir Fisher]

i see some trucks with one and some trucks with two... are steering stabilizers needed??

thanks,

wayne

[Stocker]

You'll get differing answers on this.... in my experience, they are not required on anything near stock and in good condition. A steering stabilizer will help mask problems such as worn-out front-end components, but that's about it. They may be more useful on something lifted and with bigger tires, I don't know. I have 33/12.50s and a 2 1/2" lift and have run with and without a SS. The only difference I notice is a bit more steering resistance with the SS in place, and I have zero problems with it removed.

[dammitmitchell]

depends on what style of steering you have, if you cross over steering you dont need them.
if you have standard steering you definatley need them
they dramatically reduce the amount of bump steer you get. Also tire height is important, i absolutely have to have them im runnin 8in of lift with 37"s
the small bumps will jerk the steering wheel around..

[Stocker]

Originally Posted by dammitmitchell

if you have standard steering you definatley need them
they dramatically reduce the amount of bump steer you get.

Bump steer is greatly affected by how much offset / backspacing your wheels have.... also by tire width and a few other tire details (construction, tread, inflation). My (basically stock) K20 doesn't have noticeable bump steer, with or without the SS.

[dammitmitchell]

agreed.
stock our trucks come with a single stabalizer , the dual set ups are pretty aftermarket dealys that work pretty well.
but no need to spend the 200 on them if you dont have a descent lift and anything past 35s

[D.PASSMORE]

All my 72 4x4's that I've owned have stock brackets for a steering stabilizer.

[Stocker]

Originally Posted by dammitmitchell

stock our trucks come with a single stabalizer

Originally Posted by D.PASSMORE

All my 72 4x4's that I've owned have stock brackets for a steering stabilizer.

I learn things from this board all the time. Right now I'm confused, when I bought my truck in 1977 it had no SS, not even brackets for one. Maybe the PO removed it for some reason? I installed an aftermarket SS not because of any problems, but simply because I thought it should have one.

[dammitmitchell]

i have an 83 4x4 it's a single stabilizer behind the rod that attaches to the axle tube itself.


what have you done to your truck? lifted tires? what year? what offset of rims?
got a picture?

that woudl better help us let you know if you need one or not.

[dammitmitchell]

look right next to the differential
that bracket is where the stock steering stab would be.
it connected to the bar with U bolts.

[Sir Fisher]

Can't tell you what size tires or wheels or the off set yet, because i'm still looking for wheels and tires right now; here is a pic of where i am in my build stage...

[dammitmitchell]

well id get a pair =-)
you can also order the boots in pretty much any color you would like i think black boots with a black paint on the stabalizers would benefit the overall look and not distract from that beautiful green

[rayfinseats]

Good question. Mine is missing on my 83 k10. Glad someone asked.

[special-K]

I consider steering stabilizers as necessary,just like shocks. You can run without them but with them is an improvement. When someone says "steering stabilizer" I don't automatically assume they mean a dual or aftermarket one. I've always added them to pre-72s and '72-ups already have them. I always add dual gas-charged to trucks with 12.50s or bigger to compensate for the larger size. They cut back on rut-steer and shimmy even on a tight front end. I see no negative results from using them so I never considered not running one.

[68panelman]

My 72' k-20 had one stabilizer,it started leaking,i removed it,did not replace and felt zero differance,4 inch springs 2" body 35inch tires.