steering stabilizer

[ToddJerad]

1. I noticed one of the reasons my truck is pulling and bouncing may be attributed to the fact that I have no steering stabilizer on the EB. I know these can be purchased from a lot of the bronco warehouses, but is there a big difference (which is best) and if so my truck will be used mostly for road and some highway driving.

2. Second question, some HEI setups require certain cams and I am not sure which one my 302 has (could have been changed since I never have taken heads apart or off to check. Any inexpensive HEI distributors out there that may work with either or would the roller cams be standard on the small block. Thanks

 

[S_bolt19]

#1 - You can put a realitvely inexpensive stabilizer on there, just go to a local 4x4 shop & get one or even to Checkers/Schucks/Kragen if you have one in your area. Most of them carry a Rancho because all it is is a shock, nothing more. Having a steering stabilizer only dampens the wobble & vibrations from the road. It doesn't stop the pulling. Check your entire front end, make sure the bushings and everything isn't worn out, maybe get it aligned, check the wheel bearings. If you haven't ever taken apart the front hubs to check it out, now would be a perfect time because it gives you the excuse to get in there and clean it up.

 

[ToddJerad]

Thanks for the help, so I did some checking tonight and here is some more details. I went through the service manual and I guess the 70's didn't have steering stabilizers. So, can I buy the brackets from Tom's and just install one? and if so where would the brackets go?

Also, I already did a tune up on the front drums and hubs looked fine (and cleaned). But... when I did the other checks I noticed the dust protector bushings on the tie-rods were missing on passenger side and torn on driver side. I noticed there was a lot of play as well in the joints that bushings cover.

I took car to local mechanic friend and he said I need to replace the tie-rod and my manual steering box had a lot of play and probably needed to be rebuilt. It seems most tie rods from the bronco parts dealers run near $300, and rebuilt boxes run close to $250. Any suggestions on how to save some money with these parts or at least if I have to spend the cash any suggestions or ideas on best parts (where to find, cheaper swaps for my dana 30 T-rod, or best tie-rod and box for money).

Also when this happens to the manual steering boxes do most of you guys take the step and a little extra cash to go up to power steering?

 

[S_bolt19]

To start out with, yes, you can buy a stabilizer bracket & set up and put it on. It might be a good addition. I just sold a 70 that did have one on it & I have never driven an EB without one. Mine had a worn out stabilizer when I got it & it made a world of difference when I put a new one on. So, yeah, that would be a good addition.

As for your tie rods, I am getting ready to replace my front end (ball joints, tie rods, rebuild PS box, bushings, springs, etc.) & I am going to go with the Stone Crusher Steering set up. I have talked to a number of guys who have it and love it.

Swapping out to a PS set up, it costs about $800 to do an EB swap, that is using a 73-75 Bronco PS box & column. The 76-77 won't fit correctly because of a different steering linkage. But if you want to just have your manual box rebuilt, get in touch with the guys at West Texas Offroad. I am sending my box to them & know of 2 UROC competitors & several other EB guys who have used them. They are 1st class & will do a good job. By-the-way, they quoted me $140 to rebuild my PS box with a 3-7 day turn around, so a manual box should be cheaper & possibly quicker. BUT, if you want a direct bolt in steering upgrade for the PS, you have to do the Bronco swap because there is virtually no cutting/modifications needed.

Hope this helps you a little.

 

[ToddJerad]

That does help thanks. I will call stone crusher to find out about shipping costs, I did talk to WH since I am west coast and they have one that has adjusters on the rods and draglink not sure if stone crusher does as well but they are about same price. The stone crusher looks more heavy duty and as long as it last close to 20yrs like others say than I will be content.

Also, where do you mount the brackets for the stabilizer, seems like a worthwhile investment (hard to tell from manual on later broncos).

Power steering does seem like a great upgrade, but maybe in near future. I will also call about the rebuilding of the steering box.

 

[donnie]

FWIW, my 69 has one that I believe was factory installed.

BTW, what is the usual mileage they should be changed?

Same as shocks?

Thanks.

 

[S_bolt19]

Donnie - I have had the steering stabilizer in mine for over 12 years and 200k miles. Like I said, I am going to be changing everything out, so I will be putting a new one one.

They are a shock. The big difference is that they have different mounting than your typical shocks do. If I remember right, they are a stud/stud mount where your rear shocks are an eyelet/eyelet and the front shocks are a stud/eyelet mount.

 

[SAYBYE]

Hi I went to Advance Auto and got a steering stablizer. Also got the install kit, it's just U bolts that clamp onto your draglink/centerlink. My 67 didn't have anything on it. But with 33s I put one on to help with control. Galaxy and Damon's performance sell HEI distributers for Fords. I got one for a 69 but sold the Bronco. I paid 125 for it. www,galaxyhighperformance.com out of Baldwin Park CA Damon's Performance Parts out of East Tawas MI 989-820-4352 / 989-362-9699 hope this helps

 

[ToddJerad]

S Bolt or anyone with stone crusher steering system upgrade,

I was wondering if you completed the steering upgrade to the stone crusher tie rod and if the modifications their website gives for install on the EB's were easy enough without a drill press. Also if you went over the knuckle or just went similar to a stock setup and anything else of interest before purchasing from them.

 

[donnie]

Thanks for the reply S Bolt.

The main reason I was asking is the one on mine has 90,000 miles on it and was curious if they should be changed like shocks, about 30,000 miles or so.