Got a new steering box brace from Eric at Vulcan.

I was looking for one of the usual manufacturers and low and behold, Vulcan is building theses things now. Now if I can just get the time to get it mounted!

So now we have a local source for these items!!

Dave

 

Here's a couple pics guys. Sorry for the delay, I actually forgot to post 'em up until someone reminded me.


Contents of box.



I pulled the pitman arm nut off.



And dropped the sway bar out of the way.



I put a small bit of thread locker on the steering shaft as a bit of extra insurance.



And torqued the nut to spec.



I put the stabizer up loosely under the sway bar bolts. Again, a small bit of thread locker was used.



And the bearing goes in.



I used a little red thread locker on the bearing set screws.



Everything was tightened up and shecked for binding.



And I was finally done!





I immediately noticed an improvement in response time of steering input. However, I now notice just how bad my track bar is! So, that's next on the "to do" list.

I am very happy with the quality of the powder coat and the color as well. Eric did say he can do other colors as well, but they would require a bit more time.

Definitely one of the best things I have bought for my truck!!

Dave

 

Good writeup. I love my DSS steering stabilizer, they work!

 

Yeah, night and day!

Still have that pesky track bar to do, but I think I am gonna build my own braket and go with a 3rd gen bar. I'll just cut and thread it at work.

Dave

 

The brackets aren't hard to build, my buddy built his own. Hardest part is getting the bends "just right".

 

Instead of bending the plate just use a 3x3 angle. That is what I used. A lot easier than bending. And you get a nice square corner to measure off of.

 

thanks for very detailed write up!

 

Fishin2Deep4U.......I did the BD Diesel Gear Box Stabilizer, a Skyjacker heavy duty track bar, Skyjacker Dual steering stabilizers and upper Ball Joints all in one shot. My 02' now steers better than it did when I pulled it off the dealer lot with 50 miles on the odometer during the test drive 7 years ago!

 

Dave aren't you still working for Vulcan?

Paul

 

very interesting. ouch... but I'm happy with my DSS and the original maker and designer.

 

LMAO That is great!

 

Good write up and photos

I see your '02 truck has a 2 piece tie rod where the pass side piece goes to the steering box
My '99 has a straight across one piece tie rod (except for the toe in adjuster), and steering box rod "ties" into the tie rod. My Tie rod looks bigger(larger diameter) than yours too and my steering stablizer shock has a clamp/ubolt bracket to the tie rod, I have the 88,000 gvw with factory heavy load double springs rear and sway bar in the rear also. Maybe thats why tie rod is beefyer too...? Anyone else have the one piece straight across tie rod like mine?


.

 

I am not on the payroll any longer. Haven't been there in about a year now I guess.

I work full time in Seattle in a machine shop.

Dave

 

You have the inverted 'T' setup. Some call it the heavy duty setup. Mine is the inverted 'Y'.

When my steering parts need replacement, I am going to go with your setup.

Dave

 

These steering braces should've came on the truck stock. A must-do especially if you're going to run a bigger tire.