Steering Stabilizer is the horizontal shock attached to the frame/third member.
Safer to do on the ground... no jacks... puller or pickle fork will be needed.
Use lots of LPS or WD40 for a few days before you start the project and it should come off easy. Use a little anti-seize on the contact surfaces/threads and it will be easy to take apart next time.
Don't forget torque bolts to spec and use cotter pins as needed.
If needed consult online FSM for torque values.

 

word of caution, pickle forks tear up seal boots

 

The steering stabilizers you are working on must be different then what was stock on the 86-88 vehicles .

I have no idea why you would need a puller or pickle fork to change one . I am willing to learn .

I could be doing something wrong !!!

 

wyoming9 the part of the shock that attaches to the relay rod (center link) is like a tie rod end and if there's 200 and some odd thousand miles on them well, you get the idea. But if your replacing the unit with another one, them damaging the boot with a pickle fork is not an issue nor is smacking the heck out of it with a BFH from the bolt side is just as much of an option.

I prefer to use one of these though instead of a pickle fork:

 

picklefork= bad
use the puller above if needed. i only needed to tap out the old one with a small hammer

 

i have a 97 limited 4runner that i have slowly been replacing everything on the front end. have been trying to find new steering stabilizers but i cant find them anywhere and i have read some posts that say that 97's did not come with them, completely confused any help would be greatly appreciated

 

Just to let you know, no one makes a bolt in aftermarket steering stabilizer for the 2nd gen V6 trucks due to the oil pan in the way. The only one that will fit is a factory Toyota oem stabilizer. You can put an aftermarket on if you make another bracket.

James

 

yeah i bought a rancho not knowing it needed a bracket. what a dumbass design.
go with a kyb or old man emu

 

what about options for a 3rd gen?

 

BFH, hahahaha.... kinda like BFR(ock).... or BFK(nife)...... I like it...