Steering Stabilizer yes/no?

[Conrad Moses]

Hi Land Cruiser Team - I’m considering adding a steering stabilizer to my 1978 FJ40 and would appreciate insights from those who’ve considered, applied and can share feedback/advice. My FJ is, for the most part, stable up to 45 MPH. Beyond that cornering and general stability and tracking gets a bit more sporting. I’ve consulted with 2 mechanics who were not big on the idea of adding a stabilizer. Reasons given were 1) you’re adding more moving parts that can break 2) “you won’t feel the difference” - they don’t work. I know my tires and alignment are good and plan to do a deeper dive into all aspects that impact steering stability. However, I have to believe that, “if they don’t work” why are there so many products on the market? I plan to keep shopping for a mechanic who can get me to “yes” with confidence - but am not sure if my expectation exceeds reality. What say you who’ve been there/done that - Is the juice worth the squeeze? Thanks

 

[pb4ugo]

Are you trying to mask a problem? It sounds like we need to take a deeper dive into the alignment and suspension. Maybe some pics. Is it lifted? What's the condition of the steering components? Bushings? Ubolts, bearings, tre's and such. Has the knuckles been serviced lately? And most importantly what's the caster angle? A stabilizer will take some of the shock out of a bump but it won't correct bad steering geometry and worn parts. You should be able to cruise at highway speeds with no problems.

 

[igotta40]

Is the factory stabilizer worn out or missing?

 

[cruisermatt]

Lets see some pictures of your current wheels, tires, steering and suspension. These did come with a steering stabiliser originally but they are just a fluid filled damper designed to absorb some shock from impacts like potholes/bumps. Your 40 should drive tstraight with one hand on the steering wheel up to 75-80mph at least, if it doesn't then something is wrong.

 

[pbgbottle]

I ran a stabilizer for years before I dialed in my steering SOA and Highsteer in my situation. They worked for me , we all ran one years ago. They looked cool Haha.
Now that I fixed up everything one doesn’t fit that great on my setup and I have run without for 15 years. Rancho stabilizer worked. I couldn’t even get past 30 mph without it. Tossed one on and could drive fine. But I don’t think I went past 55-60.

 

[Conrad Moses]

Are you trying to mask a problem? It sounds like we need to take a deeper dive into the alignment and suspension. Maybe some pics. Is it lifted? What's the condition of the steering components? Bushings? Ubolts, bearings, tre's and such. Has the knuckles been serviced lately? And most importantly what's the caster angle? A stabilizer will take some of the shock out of a bump but it won't correct bad steering geometry and worn parts. You should be able to cruise at highway speeds with no problems.

Thanks all - excellent feedback! Clearly I need to take a deeper dive into the problem. I’m in unfamiliar territory with a vehicle that’s almost 50 years old. I don’t know the history of parts use/replacements and don’t want to “replace everything”. I have a lot of work ahead to restore the entire steering and suspension systems. For now, I’d like to focus on the wobbly steering so i’m safe and not holding up traffic

 

[ducktapeguy]

Your leaf spring bushing look shot on the front leaf springs. That will cause steering issues. I'd check for looseness in all of your suspension and steering first because as pb4ugo said the stabilizer is just masking the issue, not solving it. Might as well replace the rears while you're at it because worn bushings on the rear are also going to cause some instability while driving. Also your front shackles look like they're on wrong.

I took off my steering stabilizer 20 years ago and never put it back on. If everything is in good condition you won't need it.

 

[pbgbottle]

With those little tires that thing should drive great. Like others have mentioned check things tighten things replace things
Alignment caster. Those shackles look funny
Tie rods. Knuckle bearings. Check the center link for play tighten it up. Spring bushings u-bolts shocks. Etc.

 

[POPO AGIE]

Mine always wandered from when I bought it new especially at highway speeds on the interstate with ruts in the pavement made by the simi trucks.

The system is antiquated and to many moving parts. I even rebuilt the center pivot with new parts and did not have any wear and nothing changed. I work out spring bushings about 3 times. I use to drive up to Portland, OR for work and would take me 3 days working the wheel back and forth to keep it straight. When I replace it with a 1/2 ton Dodge I could do it in one day but was deaf when I needed gas and was yelling at the kid pumping my gas.
Off road it was fine.

 

[peesalot]

OK, just a few points, the steering box cobbled mount has the box up too high which causes the angle down to center arm. Thats going to impact the feel of wandering cause it changes the effect the pitman has on center arm. Like bump steer with bad drag link angle. The front shackles are on wrong, they will actually prevent compression as installed. Why are they double nutted ? Aside from those the normal, trunion bearings, wheel bearings, shackle & spring bushings, shackle tightness, u-bolt tightness, center arm condition, steering arm to knuckle tightness, all the steering link ends condition, and steering box condition, pic of the shaft/column to cox connection ?

 

[wngrog]

Yall all missed the fact that his front shackles are mounted in the top and the center bolt.

Cant imagine what else they have wrong. I’ve seen some wild s*** but there is this.

 

[wngrog]

Where are you located? Maybe we can help you get it to the proper shop for help

 

[Paul_A]

There's a lot bad going on there that a steering stabilizer isn't going to help. Looks too cobbed up to be a US vehicle.

 

[svsisu]

Yall all missed the fact that his front shackles are mounted in the top and the center bolt.

Cant imagine what else they have wrong. I’ve seen some wild s*** but there is this.

View attachment 4218082

details, details, details. Good eye zooming in there.

 

[pbgbottle]

Is that a power steering box also. Looks like a JT outfitters steering box mount

 

[pb4ugo]

There's a lot bad going on there that a steering stabilizer isn't going to help. Looks too cobbed up to be a US vehicle.

I totally agree, certainly not US spec. Door molding going around the fender opening, a weird bumper addition and cobbled together steering box mount are a few clues. The shackles appear to be homemade. If they were installed the correct way they'd be really long. I guess the alignment rack and tech were a bubble or two off. It can all be corrected with some patience and guidance. The OP's gonna have to get dirty.

 

[jim land]

Some people should never use tools
Can't believe someone install the shackles like this
Find a new mechanic or , better is to do it yourself using Mud to help you

 

[Mark W]

Back to the original question... Yes to the steering stabilizer. But...

First find everything that may be/is wrong. Your rig should steer just fine up to any speed that a sane person would want to take a '40 too. But there are several common "failure" points that can change this. By themselves or in combinations.

Then add a stabilizer to make it a little bit better.

I have owned and operated, built, modified... even destroyed ... a lot of cruisers over the years. I started into this world with an Iron Pig. Lots of experience in the '55s. Moved into '40s soon enough. Lots and lots of time in the seat of more than a couple '40s. A bit of time focusing on the 6x rigs and now spending most of my Cruiser time on the '80s. But I still have a couple of '40s. Set up right, a '40 should be steering happy at 75MPH on 36 inch Swampers with one hand on the wheel. I've run 40 inch Bogger shod '40s that I could say the same about, but their steering was also a bit other than stock too.

Find the flaw. Fix it. Upgrade.


BTW... find another wrencher to handle stuff you do not want to or are not comfortable dealing with on your rig. The ones you are mentioning... well. Find someone else..

Mark...