The tie rod and steering stabilizer are not changed if you go with crossover steering, so you can just leave those be. I would keep the steering stabilizer.
CK5
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crossover steering
- Thread starter kyle.rj133
- Start date
The tie rod and steering stabilizer are not changed if you go with crossover steering, so you can just leave those be. I would keep the steering stabilizer.
Chris is certainly more knowledgeable than me, but....
I never had a functional steering stabilizer on my '83 Blazer. When I got my '90 Blazer it was all stock and still had the steering stabilizer. When I swapped to a Dana 60 on my '90, I built my own tie-rod and decided to not bother putting a steering stabilizer on it. I can't tell the difference.
I never had a functional steering stabilizer on my '83 Blazer. When I got my '90 Blazer it was all stock and still had the steering stabilizer. When I swapped to a Dana 60 on my '90, I built my own tie-rod and decided to not bother putting a steering stabilizer on it. I can't tell the difference.
Stomis
Professional Amateur
Ditto
Ive heard that steering stabilizers are there to cover up your problems is this true?
Pretty certain you did not use a sector shaft from a Ford in a GM steering box. You probably meant you used a Ford van PITMAN ARM.
Note that if you change the tierod you'll need to realign the truck (well, set the toe, which can sorta be done yourself) and, if you're keeping the steering stab (see below) you'll need to set up mounting for it. Most of the aftermarket HD tierods are just round tube, so you'd need to get a mounting kit for the stabilizer.
Were it me, I would leave your existing tierod and stabilizer in place, do the crossover, and get that squared away first. You can do the beefy tie rod later and decide on the steering stab at that point. Heck, it's easy-peasy to remove the stab and test-drive it without, see whatcha think. See below, but while it's off, you should test push/pull your existing stab and if it doesn't move smoothly, move it smoothly into the trash.
Yeeeeah mostly. Certainly the dual-stab setups are ... suspicious, and in my experience, as likely to cause problems as to fix them.
I had a worn-out steering stab that wouldn't collapse or extend evenly, it bound up over some of its travel as I pushed and pulled on it, so my steering improved with it off. I did replace it with a new one eventually.
The stabilizer is similar to a shock absorber, and is intended to absorb slight vibrations in the tierod and not transmit then to the steering, i.e. so you don't feel the wheel twitch, makes things a smidge smoother. It is not the end-all to human existence, does not feed the hungry nor bring peace to the Mideast.
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I've heard the same thing, if all other parts are good and functioning as they should, a satabizer shouldn't be needed, it's a band-aid for other issues.
that would go along with this
Pretty certain you did not use a sector shaft from a Ford in a GM steering box. You probably meant you used a Ford van PITMAN ARM.
I'm pretty sure owenst7 grabbed the sector shaft out of a Ford too. As far as I know (guess
) , the steering box isn't manufactured by GM, just for GM, and other manufacturers may use similar components.
I'm pretty sure owenst7 grabbed the sector shaft out of a Ford too. As far as I know (guess
They're Saginaw. Ford and IH used them as well as GM, though with different facing and fittings and such, and, as we know, variation in the end of the sector shaft for different pitman arms.
Seeing as the pitman arms can be stolen from a Ford van, I imagine the sector shaft could match the GM 2WD. These arms do have to be reamed out for the Chevy-sized TRE though as the Ford TRE is smaller.
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454Sub
5/8 ton status
I took my dual stabilizer off after I did my crossover and drove it, then I put it back on for a comparison. I left it on because Im honestly to lazy to remove it, all I noticed was less vibration in the steering wheel and slightly less wander as well. Nothing night and day, but IMO it improved the driveability of my truck and I just left it on, plus I already had it on hand and figured why not use it, I always thought they looked neat on the front, but like I said, just me.
A steering stabilizer isn't absolutely necessary and, as many have mentioned, you can get away without it.
IMO, all they can do is help and they don't really hurt anything by being on there (unless you smash them).
IMO, all they can do is help and they don't really hurt anything by being on there (unless you smash them).
Stomis
Professional Amateur
Saginaw also built boxes and other steering parts for Dodges for multiple years. It's not even part of GM anymore (Nexteer automotive). This is similar to AAM, which used to make "corporate" axles as part of GM, but is now their own company. But even as GM and Delphi, they built boxes, hoses, pumps, halfshafts, etc. for most carmakers around the world.
So yes, the same basic recirculating ball steering box design went across many makes/models with just minor variations. Sort of like finding New Venture T-cases under IH, Jeep, Ford, Dodge, GM, etc.
crossover has been put on the back burner until funds allow it. 
But 70jimmy did hook me up with highsteer/crossover arms plus all the mounting hardware! 
Not going highsteer but I couldnt pass up such a sweet deal
But 70jimmy did hook me up with highsteer/crossover arms plus all the mounting hardware! Not going highsteer but I couldnt pass up such a sweet dealchulisohombre
1/2 ton status
I like having at least a single stabilizer on my truck. I tried without and it jumped my steering wheel when I hit a big bump or pothole. It basically slows down the fast jolt that would be going through the steering wheel into your hands.
