Whats size tires would you have to run steering stabilizers? would you need them with 35's, and also what could be causing my bronco to have alot of play in the steering. i have new bearing so i no it aint that. could worn out steering stabilizers cause that.
steering
- Thread starter bigblue35
- Start date
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famousguy_fsas
THE BRONC
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ya. i dont know what its called but you need to re build all the steering shit in the front. mine is the same way
BroncoJoe19
Active member
Loose or worn tie rod ends, pitman arm, and/or ball joints, and steering box could all contribute.
Jack up one side, and grasp the tire at 3:00 and 9:00 and wiggle. IF you get movement, something is loose and worn.
Now get a friend to do the wiggle test, while you look underneath for movement at the joints. If one part moves, before the part it is connected to moves, that joint needs to be replaced.
Hopefully you'll find this post helpful and interesting.
How to check ball joints.
http://broncozone.com/forums/index.php?sho...amp;#entry83350
Jack up one side, and grasp the tire at 3:00 and 9:00 and wiggle. IF you get movement, something is loose and worn.
Now get a friend to do the wiggle test, while you look underneath for movement at the joints. If one part moves, before the part it is connected to moves, that joint needs to be replaced.
Hopefully you'll find this post helpful and interesting.
How to check ball joints.
http://broncozone.com/forums/index.php?sho...amp;#entry83350
RBuffordTJ
New member
BroncoJoe has you on the right track.
If you are running tires 33 or bigger I would recommend a stabalizer, a double is called for above 35s I believe but I could be wrong on that. I have just put 33s on my 1984 Bronco and it would benifit the truck to have one for sure. I had a lot of play (and my steering box was leaking like a pig) and replaced the steering box which removed almost all that wiggle room. It is much more responsive now.
Rick in Orlando
If you are running tires 33 or bigger I would recommend a stabalizer, a double is called for above 35s I believe but I could be wrong on that. I have just put 33s on my 1984 Bronco and it would benifit the truck to have one for sure. I had a lot of play (and my steering box was leaking like a pig) and replaced the steering box which removed almost all that wiggle room. It is much more responsive now.
Rick in Orlando
Broncobill78
New member
While the steering stabilizers certainly help, replacing or upgrading (from none to a single or from a single to a double or triple) is not a substitute for repairing worn out front end components.
As BroncoJoe said, the tie rods, idler arm, steering box/pitman arm, ball joints & track rod are the places to start. The stabilizer(s) help dampen sudden steering movements (particularly off-road) but the core of the problem will be elsewhere. I'd start by looking at the tie rods & idler arm, then ball joints & finally steering box (in order of expense & hassle
/emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" /> ). Your truck doesn't have a track rod so you can skip that one but also take a look at the condition of all your front end bushings as they contribute as well. The steering shaft connector can also be a source of play as well but they aren't nearly as bad as the old rag-joint connectors the 78/79's use.
The pitman arm isn't generally a wear & tear item. It bolts onto the splined output shaft of the steering box so if there IS a problem with it the steering box output shaft splines are probably damaged as well & since that's a hardened part the only fix is a rebuilt box & new pitman arm.
You didn't mention if the truck was lifted or not but with any suspension lift over 2" you should really be using a dropped pitman arm as well as having all of the necessary drop brackets for the axle pivot points & radius arms. A lift comprised of nothing but larger springs will cause the truck to wander around with very vague steering.
It's helpful to add the basic info about your truck (year, engine, tranny, lift & tires) to your signature so everyone knows what you're working with without you having to remember to add it into every post /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" />
As BroncoJoe said, the tie rods, idler arm, steering box/pitman arm, ball joints & track rod are the places to start. The stabilizer(s) help dampen sudden steering movements (particularly off-road) but the core of the problem will be elsewhere. I'd start by looking at the tie rods & idler arm, then ball joints & finally steering box (in order of expense & hassle
/emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" /> ). Your truck doesn't have a track rod so you can skip that one but also take a look at the condition of all your front end bushings as they contribute as well. The steering shaft connector can also be a source of play as well but they aren't nearly as bad as the old rag-joint connectors the 78/79's use.The pitman arm isn't generally a wear & tear item. It bolts onto the splined output shaft of the steering box so if there IS a problem with it the steering box output shaft splines are probably damaged as well & since that's a hardened part the only fix is a rebuilt box & new pitman arm.
You didn't mention if the truck was lifted or not but with any suspension lift over 2" you should really be using a dropped pitman arm as well as having all of the necessary drop brackets for the axle pivot points & radius arms. A lift comprised of nothing but larger springs will cause the truck to wander around with very vague steering.
It's helpful to add the basic info about your truck (year, engine, tranny, lift & tires) to your signature so everyone knows what you're working with without you having to remember to add it into every post
/emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" />
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