Aftermarket Steering Stablizer

[concretebox]

This weekend I took the rig out for a test weekend. It was only the second time I towed my car with the RV. It was also a very windy day. Needless to say it was a stressful event keeping the rig in my lane. I abandoned the interstate for the backroads because I felt myself in mortal danger above 55mph. Even on the backroads at 45mph the rig was wondering in the lane.

I've been looking into steering stabilizers. In my price range is this Monroe steering dampner.

If you look at the first review, the reviewer uploaded pictures of the unit installed on his rig. Looking at my rig, I don't see any through bolt-holes on the rail. I'm unsure if the reviewer had holes or if he drilled his own.

I'm no stranger to drilling through metal, but I've never drilled through something as thick and heavy as the frame rail on my rig. Any suggestions? Would burning a hole with a welding torch be an option? Any thoughts in general about steering control on a 1989 Ford E350?

Thanks!

 

[offroad]

Had a stabilizer on my Toyota land cruiser. Factory. Supposedly reduced the chance of rollover due to shifting weight during fast highway maneuver. Got in the way of four wheeling rock crawling. Took it off. No problems ever. - not sure if the steering stabilizer will improve your driving. Expensive gamble. Do lots of research.

 

[ccbreder]

So many things will cause the problem you describe. Have a mechanic to thoroughly check the steering linkage and suspension, include the shocks and tires as well as alignment. Expect to pay for this inspection and diagnosis. As for drilling the frame rail, a good bit will go right through.

 

[highdesertranger]

steering stabilizer are to dampen sudden jars to your steering system(that happen frequently while off road). it's a shock absorber for your steering, works the same way your regular shocks work only for your steering. steering stabilizer do not, I repeat do not fix problems with your steering. your vehicle should drive fine without one if it doesn't you have other problems that must be repaired. how strong was this wind? was it a crosswind? does this van have a high top? highdesertranger

 

[concretebox]

30mph crosswind, hightop.

 

[Almost There]

30mph crosswind, hightop.

IMO a steering stabilizer won't do a thing for a hightop van in a strong crosswind.

It's a learning experience to drive under those conditions but it is possible although always slightly white knuckle driving. You learn to watch out for going under underpasses where the wind is blocked and learn to drive closer to the leading edge of the wind to give yourself more lane for when the wind moves you sideways.

Think of it like trying to carry a 4x8 sheet of plywood in a windstorm.

There's no shame to pulling off the road or taking slower 2 lane highways in adverse driving conditions.

 

[highdesertranger]

yeah 30mph crosswind in a high top is going to get pushed around quite a bit. a steering stabilizer is not really going to help you there. slow down or get off the highway is about all the advice I can give you. highdesertranger

 

[SternWake]

I found that when I added rear airbags to assist my tired leaf springs, that 18 wheelers and gusts of wind did not push me all over the road nearly as much.

I put a steering damper on mine, welding a bracket to the frame. I took it off my buddy's chevy school bus before he scrapped it.

Rear stabilizer/ anti sway bars can really improve handling too.

A high top is going to get pushed around by cross winds, but a high top with a squishy overloaded suspension will make it that much worse as one needs to almost overcorrect and anticipate gusts.

Lots of things can be loose in the steering and suspension components and fixing these can yield vast improvements in cross winds. So having it inspected by somebody who knows what to look for is wise, and ignoring the possibility something is very worn and possibly dangerous is bordering on criminal.

 

[concretebox]

I've got an appointment to get it the steering looked at Monday. I also discovered today that the power steering fluid was very low. I haven't driven it since but I'll let you all know after the appointment what the mechanic says.

 

[anm]

This weekend I took the rig out for a test weekend. It was only the second time I towed my car with the RV. It was also a very windy day. Needless to say it was a stressful event keeping the rig in my lane. I abandoned the interstate for the backroads because I felt myself in mortal danger above 55mph. Even on the backroads at 45mph the rig was wondering in the lane.

I've been looking into steering stabilizers. In my price range is this Monroe steering dampner.

If you look at the first review, the reviewer uploaded pictures of the unit installed on his rig. Looking at my rig, I don't see any through bolt-holes on the rail. I'm unsure if the reviewer had holes or if he drilled his own.

I'm no stranger to drilling through metal, but I've never drilled through something as thick and heavy as the frame rail on my rig. Any suggestions? Would burning a hole with a welding torch be an option? Any thoughts in general about steering control on a 1989 Ford E350?

Thanks!

How does it drive on a "very windy day" without towing the car?

 

[concretebox]

I got the alignment done and it was a little off, but not much. The steering wheel still isn't straight on, but it's better than it was. It seems to handle a little better, but I haven't taken it for a drive in high winds or towed the car since the alignment. Maybe that will be my project today!

 

[ccbreder]

Getting the steering wheel to be "straight on" with the wheels going forward is a skill, some technicians are better than others. When you drive along a level pavement, like a parking lot, does the vehicle stay in a line, or drift to the side?
Where was the power steering leak, was it repaired?
Is there much play in the steering wheel when you turn it back and forth with engine off and vehicle not moving?
Were any steering parts replaced during the alignment?

 

[highdesertranger]

first off I don't know who did your alignment but getting your steering wheel straight is part of your alignment. obviously they charged you for an alignment and didn't not do a complete job. take it back tell them your steering wheel is off and make them fix it. like ccbreder asked does it pull or drift? if it does that another issue. don't let the shop tell you it needs more parts. if it needs more parts how did they do the original alignment that they charged you for? some shops really piss me off. highdesertranger

 

[andy90]

^^this! They should have checked the steering/suspension components for wear or damage before doing the alignment. especially on a '89 model. you cannot properly do an alignment with loose or worn parts. and most shops that i have seen will usually fix a steering wheel off center problem no charge if you get it back in the shop fairly quickly and don't put many miles on it in between.

 

[MikeRuth]

What kind of tow setup do you have? Dolly or straight pull?
As mentioned above having the additional rear stabilizer would be on my list of add on.
Shocks are in good shape? Springs are in good shape, and rated for your load?

I have a 2007 E-150 but no high top. Not bad in strong winds but all of the above are in top shape.
You really have to "anticipate" and literally drive by the seat of your pants in those conditions.

 

[concretebox]

Hey all, I gave up on the whole towing thing. It was just to unbearable. Lucky for me though I sold the car.