The Ford Barn

Dan1928 · 03-03-2018, 08:58 PM

Until I can afford a conversion steering box (approx $800), does anyone know if a steering stabilized would help with the play in the steering wheel? Thanks.

Synchro909 · 03-03-2018, 09:23 PM

A stabilizer won't take any of the free play in the steering. If you have a 2 tooth steering box, try adjusting it. Adjustments can be made without removing it from the car. I'd be amazed if you didn't get some improvement. Also make sure everything that is supposed to be tight is, like steering arm on the sector shaft, mounting bolts and even the steering wheel on the shaft. A little here and a little there add up.

BILL WILLIAMSON · 03-03-2018, 11:51 PM

A stabilizer would help you, until you do SERIOUS Repairs. My Friend, Tom, is doing that temporarily & he said it's driving QUITE WELL. Later, you could take it off & SELL IT for $$$$$$s. MANY of us ain't "RICH"---
Bill Hopethathelps

WHN · 03-04-2018, 08:20 AM

Do you just have excess steering wheel play or a worn out front end.

If you can do the labor yourself, $800.00 will get a lot of front end and steering box rebuilding work done.

Even with new steering box, if other things are in need of attention. You will not be happy with how your car handles.

How are your springs and shocks?

Dan1928 · 03-04-2018, 08:56 AM

Thanks guys. I will look all of front end over.

Tom Wesenberg · 03-04-2018, 10:41 AM

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Start with checking the toe in. My 28 has a temporary front end while I restore the original. The temporary front end is very worn out and sloppy, but has never had any wheel shimmy. The steering balls are OK, but the king pins have a lot of slop.

Fred K-OR · 03-04-2018, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WHN

Do you just have excess steering wheel play or a worn out front end.

If you can do the labor yourself, $800.00 will get a lot of front end and steering box rebuilding work done.

Even with new steering box, if other things are in need of attention. You will not be happy with how your car handles.

How are your springs and shocks?

Good advise here.

If your steering box is OK, then a stabilizer may help the rest of the problems until you can redo the front end. But like mentioned it is not the long term solution.

Synchro909 · 03-04-2018, 03:55 PM

If the free play is in the steering box, a stabilizer will not help. For a clapped out front end, maybe.

chap52 · 03-05-2018, 09:49 AM

Check "You Tube" for how to adjust that steering box. I bet that will help. Chap

Dan1928 · 03-06-2018, 08:16 AM

Thanks again!

100IH · 03-06-2018, 12:42 PM

Since your car is a 28, likely not much / any adjustments. Price out the later box remedy and then price out a complete rebuild of what you have. In the meantime, read old posts on front end wobble / death wobble. Do all that you can to get the complete front axle, spring and shackles, Tie rod and drag link ends in good working order, including wishbone pitman arm and steering arm balls. All of this must be in order or you will not be happy with your $800 adjustable box. After you cover the bases on the front axle yourself, you might decide that money spent on a stabilizer would only be an unnecessary expense. Might consider looking for a spare axle assy. for parts or to use for a swap when completed.

Fred K-OR · 03-06-2018, 04:51 PM

To answer your original question,. The stabilizer will help some if your steering column is in good shape.

03-03-2018, 08:58 PM	#1
Dan1928 Member Join Date: Sep 2017 Posts: 40	Steering Stabilizer Until I can afford a conversion steering box (approx $800), does anyone know if a steering stabilized would help with the play in the steering wheel? Thanks.

03-03-2018, 09:23 PM	#2
Synchro909 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 7,496	Re: Steering Stabilizer A stabilizer won't take any of the free play in the steering. If you have a 2 tooth steering box, try adjusting it. Adjustments can be made without removing it from the car. I'd be amazed if you didn't get some improvement. Also make sure everything that is supposed to be tight is, like steering arm on the sector shaft, mounting bolts and even the steering wheel on the shaft. A little here and a little there add up. __________________ I'm part of the only ever generation with an analogue childhood and a digital adulthood.

03-03-2018, 11:51 PM	#3
BILL WILLIAMSON Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: FRESNO, CA Posts: 12,560	Re: Steering Stabilizer A stabilizer would help you, until you do SERIOUS Repairs. My Friend, Tom, is doing that temporarily & he said it's driving QUITE WELL. Later, you could take it off & SELL IT for $$$$$$s. MANY of us ain't "RICH"--- Bill Hopethathelps __________________ "THE ASSISTANT GURU OF STUFF"

03-04-2018, 08:20 AM	#4
WHN Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Connecticut Shoreline Posts: 1,820	Re: Steering Stabilizer Do you just have excess steering wheel play or a worn out front end. If you can do the labor yourself, $800.00 will get a lot of front end and steering box rebuilding work done. Even with new steering box, if other things are in need of attention. You will not be happy with how your car handles. How are your springs and shocks?

03-04-2018, 08:56 AM	#5
Dan1928 Member Join Date: Sep 2017 Posts: 40	Re: Steering Stabilizer Thanks guys. I will look all of front end over.

03-04-2018, 10:41 AM	#6
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: Steering Stabilizer Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Start with checking the toe in. My 28 has a temporary front end while I restore the original. The temporary front end is very worn out and sloppy, but has never had any wheel shimmy. The steering balls are OK, but the king pins have a lot of slop.

03-04-2018, 03:55 PM	#8
Synchro909 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 7,496	Re: Steering Stabilizer If the free play is in the steering box, a stabilizer will not help. For a clapped out front end, maybe. __________________ I'm part of the only ever generation with an analogue childhood and a digital adulthood.

03-05-2018, 09:49 AM	#9
chap52 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Marana Arizona Posts: 1,776	Re: Steering Stabilizer Check "You Tube" for how to adjust that steering box. I bet that will help. Chap

03-06-2018, 08:16 AM	#10
Dan1928 Member Join Date: Sep 2017 Posts: 40	Re: Steering Stabilizer Thanks again!

03-06-2018, 12:42 PM	#11
100IH Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: SW Idaho Posts: 970	Re: Steering Stabilizer Since your car is a 28, likely not much / any adjustments. Price out the later box remedy and then price out a complete rebuild of what you have. In the meantime, read old posts on front end wobble / death wobble. Do all that you can to get the complete front axle, spring and shackles, Tie rod and drag link ends in good working order, including wishbone pitman arm and steering arm balls. All of this must be in order or you will not be happy with your $800 adjustable box. After you cover the bases on the front axle yourself, you might decide that money spent on a stabilizer would only be an unnecessary expense. Might consider looking for a spare axle assy. for parts or to use for a swap when completed.

03-06-2018, 04:51 PM	#12
Fred K-OR Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Stayton, Oregon Posts: 3,806	Re: Steering Stabilizer To answer your original question,. The stabilizer will help some if your steering column is in good shape. __________________ Fred Kroon 1929 Std Coupe 1929 Huckster