Steering stabilizer... Nope, tie rod

[BJedi76]

1986 GMC K1500

Are there different steering stabilizer bars?

My steering stabilizer was bent and i had someone replace it with one off of a suburban, but then my stabilizer shock didn’t fit.

Can I just buy a different shock or do I need a different stabilizer bar?

 

[nvrenuf]

There is no “stabilizer bar”, it sounds like you’re talking about the tie rod.

There are 2 versions of the tie rods based on years.

 

[bucket]

There is no “stabilizer bar”, it sounds like you’re talking about the tie rod.

There are 2 versions of the tie rods based on years.

The sway bar can be called a stabilizer bar, but I agree, must be referring to the tie rod.

 

[88suburbanoverlan]

If you’re talking about the solid bar that goes in front of the front axle that is your Tyrod bar and mine is bent as well. So far, I’ve only found a replacement through Moog suspensions and they give you the bar and the tire rod ends for somewhere around $700.

Seems expensive and I’m looking for other options if anyone has an idea

 

[PrairieDrifter]

If you’re talking about the solid bar that goes in front of the front axle that is your Tyrod bar and mine is bent as well. So far, I’ve only found a replacement through Moog suspensions and they give you the bar and the tire rod ends for somewhere around $700.

Seems expensive and I’m looking for other options if anyone has an idea

Rockauto

 

[Zelph]

Start here.

Offroad Design Heavy Duty Tie Rod

As your truck moves to larger tires and more difficult terrain, the stock steering linkage takes a real beating. So we offer heavy duty tie rods to keep you steering straight.

www.offroaddesign.com

 

[75gmck25]

Take a look at the pictures on the LMC site and use them for a reference. The exact configuration of tie rods, stabilizer bar, and shock changes a little over the years.

https://www.lmctruck.com/steering/steering-controls/cc-1973-87-steering-controls-4wd

For example, many use a long bar connecting to the tie rod ends, and you replace both tie rod ends separately. However, on my ‘75 the long bar and one tie rod end are a single assembly, and only the other tie rod end is separate. This makes the bar/tie rod combo piece more expensive, and harder to ship than a separate tie rod.

 

[bucket]

Take a look at the pictures on the LMC site and use them for a reference. The exact configuration of tie rods, stabilizer bar, and shock changes a little over the years.

https://www.lmctruck.com/steering/steering-controls/cc-1973-87-steering-controls-4wd

For example, many use a long bar connecting to the tie rod ends, and you replace both tie rod ends separately. However, on my ‘75 the long bar and one tie rod end are a single assembly, and only the other tie rod end is separate. This makes the bar/tie rod combo piece more expensive, and harder to ship than a separate tie rod.

Yes, they did change once or twice in the 70's, but the long/short combo was used in the same years as the short/short combo. All the way up through '91 I believe.

The long/short rod is a much more substantial part than the two short rods with the long connector sleeve. The joints themselves are bigger too.

As @PrairieDrifter suggested, RockAuto is a very affordable place to get the Moog long rod, short rod and short sleeve combo. Shipping is very reasonable and you save a fat *** of cash compared to buying the Moog tie rods elsewhere.

 

[bucket]

WTF... w a d is a no-no word?!

 

[Terlingueno]

WTF... w a d is a no-no word?!

Be cautious, the AI no-no word algorithm has acronyms next on the agenda...

 

[Zelph]

WTF... w a d is a no-no word?!

What would George Carlin do……….

 

[idahovette]

^^^^^^or what would Samuel say ^^^^^^^^^^^

 

[Eric01]

If you’re talking about the solid bar that goes in front of the front axle that is your Tyrod bar and mine is bent as well. So far, I’ve only found a replacement through Moog suspensions and they give you the bar and the tire rod ends for somewhere around $700.

Seems expensive and I’m looking for other options if anyone has an idea

I just replaced all four tie rods and both adjuster sleeves for $212 through Summit Racing. All Moog parts

 

[Ricko1966]

I little of road trick I learned years ago. To prevent long hollow tie rods from bending, drive a solid rod down the center. Not perfect but better. If the tubing can't collapse on itself it doesn't bend as easy or as bad. We used to cut the rod out of sway bars. Find one with a long enough straight section the right diameter.

 

[bucket]

I little of road trick I learned years ago. To prevent long hollow tie rods from bending, drive a solid rod down the center. Not perfect but better. If the tubing can't collapse on itself it doesn't bend as easy or as bad. We used to cut the rod out of sway bars. Find one with a long enough straight section the right diameter.

That's the best part about the long/short tie rod setup. It's all solid, other than the adjuster sleeve of course.