can a steering stablizer be put on a 97 gen 2 montero?
if so which brands is best? will be putting on a OME suspension soon.

It's not necessary. Why are you considering one?

John B.

Steering stabilizers are intended for use on domestic 4 wheel drive vehicles with under-engineered suspensions, which your Montero isn't and doesn't have. If your steering is loose you have something that's worn that needs to be replaced.

Yeah, if you need a steering stabilizer your suspension has some worn out parts and the stabilizer will only bandage the problem.

And don't wheel with your thumbs wrapped around the wheel rim... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

"When wheeling about, keep the thumbs out!"

My LC FJ55 with the big offset wheels would tear your thumbs clean off if you hit something with only one front wheel. I learned that lesson early, and often. The big offset gave the wheels tremendous leverage. I used a stabilizer on that one for sure. I could rip the wheel right out of your tightest grip without it. Manual steeting of course, with the very strange LC steering linkage. I had arms like Popeye from steering that thing on the road...

I'd always heard this as well. Funny...I've never had a problem with wheel kick in a Montero, even with my first Raider after the power steering died and I still wheeled it in the AZ rocks. One handed, 'cause it was a stick. Guess some stuff is just made different...

John B.

Wow, Thanks!
i have a lot to learn.
glad to know there is so much info.
looking forward to redo the front end when i put the OME in.

If you're redoing the front end, and I don't know how deep you are diving in to it, I have some more advice.

The lower a-arm bushings are a bear to replace. I'd leave them alone unless there are obvious signs they are worn. They may not be, and they are quite overbuilt anyway.

Lower ball joints are a no-brainer to replace if there's any flex there. If you look at replacing the upper arm assembly (Gen 2), don't go with a cheap Ebay supplier. I haven't been very happy with mine on the '95. If you're talking Gen 1, you can replace the shaft/bushings by itself and the ball joints by themselves as well.

Use lifetime warranty parts. I actually like AutoZone's stuff. Many times when I open a package, it's Mitsubishi anyway.

Done right, steering requires new inner and outer tie rods, idler arm and Pitman arm. Check that the center link is not bent. Get the vehicle aligned right away.

Suspension is Upper and lower ball joints, upper a-arm replacement/upper arm shaft replacement and if you're a sadist, the lower a-arm bushings. Take note to reinstall the torsion bars in the correct alignments. All fasteners should be rechecked for final torque with the vehicle on the ground, not on stands. Get the vehicle aligned right away.

I think that's everything.

John B.