JJCIII

No it will not help. If there's play in the steering wheel for example, you turn the steering wheel but the wheels don't turn then you need to have your steering box adjusted. All the stabilizer really does is help control the wheel return when coming out of turns

dave1123

Actually, what the steering stabilizer does is act like a shock absorber on the steering so that when you hit a rock or other obstruction, the steering wheel doesn't kick back. It doesn't help return the steering to center in a turn, that's what caster on the axle does. GM uses a self-centering steering box. I wish Jeep did.

JJCIII

I was talking about it controlling wheel return speed.. but yes the initial bump steer speed can definitely be affected. I feel in a way they are related, whereas it helps stabilize sudden changes in steering angle. But I guess it would mostly affect the wheel return if there's acceleration out of a turn. Also I know all to well about caster. My fixed angle balljoints give my an annoying pull to the right. I need some offset balljoints I know, I'm just waiting for the new moog balljoints to go bad. If and when they go bad. I should check my dynamic toe too, although it's probably wishful thinking since I can sense the pull even at a few mph. Lol sounds like gm got one thing right finally

dave1123

I've been thinking, (smell the smoke?) ridged front axle cars were originally designed for bias ply tires. Radial tires, on the other hand, have very flexible sidewalls and because of that, have what's known as a "slip angle". This refers to the fact that in a turn, the rim turns at a greater angle then the tread surface. Most people never notice this, but it might account for the tendency for the front end to "hunt" or not want to go straight by itself.

My 97 ZJ had bias ply tires on it when I bought it and the steering was perfect. After I put radials on it, I noticed a tendency for it to "wander" if I took my eyes off to road for just a second or wasn't paying attention closely. I thought something was wrong with the steering and had it checked and aligned to no effect.

I just wondered if this is the problem some people are having with their Jeeps. If so, it's not the fault of the Jeep. My WJ has the same problem and everything is correct mechanically, but tends to wander the same way.

Just my thoughts on the subject.

The main difference between radials and bias plies is that bias tires tend to twist the tread surface in a corner and lift the inside edge of the tread off the road. Radials keep the tread flatter on the road surface but need more steering angle to make the turn. At extreme cornering speeds, radials have a "breakaway" point where the tread looses traction and snaps back to following the rim, causing a slide to start. This is most notable at racing speeds, however, so most people never encounter it.

Wait for the smoke to clear and you might see my point.

JJCIII

I understand that. However, its starts to go right even after a few mph while driving straight. Its slight on level ground but on a crown it pulls harder. Which I have to depending on the road crown always hold the wheel to the left. And this is exactly what the TSBs on alldata and identifix says about as far as zjs are concerned, it affects years 96-98. I wonder if my dynamic toe on the right front wheel is magnifying it due to its scrub radius.

dave1123

I did notice the "crown effect" on my 97 ZJ. My WJ just has a mind of it's own. If you're not paying attention, it'll go wherever it want to. They just started putting rumble strips on the centerline of some of our roads and if you catch the edge of one, it'll suck the jeep over into it.

All of the components in my front end are either new or in good condition and I've had it aligned twice this year. Any wandering I'll consider "radial" effect.