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4 Wheel Drive/SUVs/installing a steering stabalizer

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Expert: - 5/25/2005


Question
I have a 1988 chevy K1500 pickup that did not come with a steering stabalizer stock. I have a procomp after market stablizer but the instalition instructions are very blurry can you help with instructions?  

Answer
Gary,

I can't be of much help without seeing the directions.  Most steering stabilizers will have a bracket that connects one end of the stabilizer to the steering tie rod.  There should be another bracket that fastens to the differential housing, or the frame for the other end of the stabilizer.

When you mount the bracket on the tie rod, you need to make sure that your front wheels are straight ahead, and the stabilizer shaft is centered.  You can find the center of the shaft by measuring the length of it when it is fully extended, and mark the center of the shaft.  Then you can push the shaft in until the mark is lined up with the outer edge of the stabilizer.  This will be your mounting position.

Carl

4 Wheel Drive/SUVs

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Carl Brandt

Expertise

Will discuss suspensions, lifts, lockers along with tire suggestions. Trail ratings and possible requirements needed for specific type of trails. Safety equipment and what you should carry with you. Certified off-road instructor. I am not a mechanic, and 4-Wheeling is a hobby, so if I can't answer a technical question it is due to my mechanical knowledge being related to vehicles that I have owned, or have worked on. I do not have manuals on all vehicles.

Experience

40 plus years of 4 wheeling in a variety of vehicles. At the present time, my major off-road rig is a 94 Jeep Wrangler with a spring over and a 1 1/2" suspension lift. This gives me a total lift of 7" or so. I have lockers front and rear. I have removed the track bars, and sway bar for maximum articulation. I am running a stock 2.5 ltr 4 cylinder with a Jacobs ignition along with a cold air high flow filter. It has 4.56:1 gears with a Dodge NV4500 transmission along with a 3.8:1 Atlas II transfer case. This gives me a final ratio of 105:1 in low gear/low range. Other vehicles I own, are a 96 Ford F-250 with a 6" lift, posi rear end, 36" Hummer tires, 5 speed with a fuel injected 460 ci engine, an 87 Samurai with an 8" lift, Ford 9" rear end with a spool, Chevy Dana 44 front end with an electric locker, 5.88 gears, 16% reduction in high range and a 6.5:1 low range with 35" Baja Claws, and a stock 2003 Grand Cherokee Overland. Trails I have run are the Rubicon (10 times), Dusey Ershim, Fordyce Creek trail, McGrew trail, several trails in Moab, Utah along with local monthly runs.

Organizations
Lost Coast 4x4's Cal 4-Wheel Corva UFWDA Blue Ribbon Coalition

Education/Credentials
Certified off-road instructor - Certificates in engineering/electronics

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