Installing a steering stabilizer

theodore

theodore

Junior Member
I just purchased a SO CAL steering stabilizer for my 1934 Ford roadster that has a death wobble at low speeds. The directions to install the stabilizer refers to the lower radius rod or lower four bar link which according to the installation pictures, my car does not have. My car has a thick radius bar but no lower rods or four- bar linkthat I know of.
Can any one advise me as to how I should install the stabilizer. Should it be installed from the steering tie rod to the car's frame? The pictures from SO CAL are so blurry that I cannot make them out.This stuff is all new to me so I am asking for help, which will be much appreciated. TIA
 
recommend you go over to the HAMB and do a search for steering stabilizer or dampener. Looks like a lot of guys suggest putting on VW stabilizers, as they work well and are cheaper.
 
I had a problem with my 34 3 window. I installed a steering stabilizer and still had the same wobble. I rebuilt the front calipers and it went away. The stabilizer was useful in making my steering more firm. I had a reversed Corvair box.
 
I have installed quite a few on 32 to 48 Fords. They are from the tie rod from the right wheel that runs across toward the left side next to the axle. I made little angle brackets that bolt on the front axle with 2 square U bolts and 2 small round U bolts on the tie rod. Put a chalk mark on the center of the tie rod with the wheels straight. Turn the wheels all the way to the right and mark the axle where the mark on the rod is. Turn the wheels all the way to the left and mark the axle where the mark on the rod is. Measure the distance between the marks on the axle, this is the stroke the shock will travel so you need one with a little longer stroke so it don't limit the turn radius. Move the shock to the center of it's stroke and mount it to the axle and rod in this position with the wheels straight. I have them on all my drivers and have nice firm steering with no movement and will run straight down the road without touching the steering wheel. G.M.
 
Thanks GM ... I just got a steering stabilizer from mac's it came with no instructions even tho the receipt in the box says with instr. on it so with your post here I got it installed ok B0B :)
 
Does a stabilizer just mask some other problem in the steering/suspension systems?
I realize that some off road and possibly other vehicles come with stabilizers when new. However, I believe there are a lot of early Fords that do fine when the standard factory components are not worn significantly or out of adjustment.
 
34fordy said:
Does a stabilizer just mask some other problem in the steering/suspension systems?
I realize that some off road and possibly other vehicles come with stabilizers when new. However, I believe there are a lot of early Fords that do fine when the standard factory components are not worn significantly or out of adjustment.
Click to expand...

The answer is probably yes and no! Remember a LOT of later model cars/trucks came with stabilizer (shock) setups to help dampen front wheel shimmy. They were both installed as OEM equipment and as optional equipment.
 
Before you add a stabilizer, check the toe-in, and look for worn king bolts, tie rod ends, drag link, and excessive play in the steering box. Stabilizers are common on vehicles with high unsprung weight such as 4 wheel drive pickups, but should not be necessary on a light car such as the '34 coupe. If you have shimmy, or other steering problems, they need to be fixed first. Normally, the caster and camber are fixed in old Fords, unless something is bent or broken in a collision. In Model A days, shimmy was common when there was a bent wheel or an out of round tire(s) and the levershocks didn't work.
 
34fordy said:
Does a stabilizer just mask some other problem in the steering/suspension systems?
I realize that some off road and possibly other vehicles come with stabilizers when new. However, I believe there are a lot of early Fords that do fine when the standard factory components are not worn significantly or out of adjustment.
Click to expand...

According to some purists, yes. I had everything new on my rod and aligned to a T, it still shook. Also, no new vehicles with a solid axle come WITHOUT a steering stabilizer, look under any jeep or new pickup.
 
My 34 came all of sudden with a wheel shimmy I looked around for a likely cause ,I found the rubber ball on the wish bone was worn .There was slightly a loose wheel bearing that set up the osolation' ./giro affect .plus a small bit of play in the box ,I only fixed two of the things ,I tightend the wheel bearing and got a section of radiater hose and jammed it under the rubber ball, all is well now. If you run big and little's then your caster will be out if the nose is dragging on the ground ,So I am with guys who say fix the problem first .Ford made millions with this set up it worked well .Ted
 
I realize just because you read something on the internet, it is not necessarily true--I just went on Texas Tires site on stabilizer truth--Among the things mentioned in brief:
If you have your suspension/steering dialed in correctly, you could drive around all day without any stabilizer at all and likely would not notice a difference on smooth flat terrain--
It is important to realize that a steering damper does NOT and WILL NOT FIX
any steering problem. It will only dampen the symptoms--
It is important that steps be taken to diagnose and fix the actual source of any steering problem that you might be experiencing as opposed to masking or hiding it with a steering stabilizer--


Now this info comes from someone selling stabilizers

Respectfully, Don
 
FlatheadTed said:
My 34 came all of sudden with a wheel shimmy I looked around for a likely cause ,I found the rubber ball on the wish bone was worn .There was slightly a loose wheel bearing that set up the osolation' ./giro affect .plus a small bit of play in the box ,I only fixed two of the things ,I tightend the wheel bearing and got a section of radiater hose and jammed it under the rubber ball, all is well now. If you run big and little's then your caster will be out if the nose is dragging on the ground ,So I am with guys who say fix the problem first .Ford made millions with this set up it worked well .Ted
Click to expand...
FlatHead Ted has a good point, It would seem to me to try to fix or restore the steering to its intended configuration, rather than add something that was never there. These cars did not have a steering stabilizer, right?
 
FrankWest said:
FlatHead Ted has a good point, It would seem to me to try to fix or restore the steering to its intended configuration, rather than add something that was never there. These cars did not have a steering stabilizer, right?
Click to expand...
I agree 100% BUT i have 38 dodge cab on a 40 ford frame. Got the frame as a roller. It came with a 32 model A superbell 4 in drop axle, drum brakes all around, split wish bones and got a 68 ford mustang steering box. With pitman arm pointed up for the correct steering. Since ive had the truck which is 9 yrs always had wobble. Ive had bunches of people say they know these frames i should check this or that or everything else. Checked all them yet Nothing still got it. Any ideas im about to add stabilizer just so i can enjoy the truck. Thanks

Sent from my LM-Q710(FGN) using Tapatalk
 
theodore said:
I just purchased a SO CAL steering stabilizer for my 1934 Ford roadster that has a death wobble at low speeds. The directions to install the stabilizer refers to the lower radius rod or lower four bar link which according to the installation pictures, my car does not have. My car has a thick radius bar but no lower rods or four- bar linkthat I know of.
Can any one advise me as to how I should install the stabilizer. Should it be installed from the steering tie rod to the car's frame? The pictures from SO CAL are so blurry that I cannot make them out.This stuff is all new to me so I am asking for help, which will be much appreciated. TIA
Click to expand...
To answer your question, yes you will most likely have to fabricate a bracket to attach it to the frame. (or wishbone )
You obviously did not pay attention to the product information as it was meant to fit hairpin or four bar configurations. NOT STOCK
399040
 

Attachments

  • so cal zz.jpg
    so cal zz.jpg
    113.9 KB · Views: 278
Last edited:
What is the caster angle? That can cause stability issues and can be out of range with split wishbones.
 
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top