What exactly do steering stabilizers do?

TJShadow · 09-30-2008, 08:05 PM

I've been considering picking up a OME HD steering stabilizer for my Jeep. A couple of months ago I put on a 4" lift and 33x12.5 MTZ tires, so I figured that it would be a good idea. A few people have been telling me not to bother, so I'd like to get the communities take on whether its worth it or not. What exactly will a heavy duty steering stabilizer do for me, or anyone for that matter?

silversamps85 · 09-30-2008, 08:13 PM

It will dampen steering feedback. Also helps save steering components

wroose · 09-30-2008, 08:15 PM

If you don't have any shimmy in the frontend (aka death wobble) then you can wait until thing start to get loose in the front. the stabilizer does exactly what it you would think. it is a shock on your steering. it slows any bumping. this is most needed with large tires, wide tires, big lifts, or all of the above. It is not going to heard, and it cheap!!
Bill

**Unlimited04** · 09-30-2008, 08:17 PM

it does help. newer TJs have crappy steering stabilizers, and most likely there is a TSB on yours. This means they suck. Get a new one and you'll notice a difference. reduced driver fatigue, your not fighting the steering as much on uneven roads, and the tires won't want to follow ruts in the road as much. i recently upgraded to a Skyjacker unit...

NEVER-ENOUGH · 09-30-2008, 08:18 PM

IMO- It hides steering related problems.

TJShadow · 09-30-2008, 08:29 PM

I was thinking that it would help me out some, but a few people were telling me not to bother. Will it make steering feel a little like I don't have power steering (harder to turn the wheel)?

**Unlimited04** · 09-30-2008, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TJShadow

I was thinking that it would help me out some, but a few people were telling me not to bother. Will it make steering feel a little like I don't have power steering (harder to turn the wheel)?

no.

steering stabilizers CAN mask steering problems. if you're track bar isn't torqued properly after a lift, you'll get death wobble. a steering stabilizer will stop this for a few days, but it will overwork the stabilizer quickly, and it will fail, and you'll have death wobble again. but as long as you're NOT having steering problems as it is, the steering stabilizer will reduce the amount of 'wander' you see due to ruts in the road, and as a result on the highway you won't fight the steering as much. I just installed a Skyjacker stabilizer, and I didn't have any steering problems...all the tires are balanced, U-joints are brand new, but the stock steering stabilizer has been crap since 20k miles, stealership wanted to charge me to replace it, I said f-off and waited until I needed brakes in front to put the steering stabilizer on. I then drove 600 miles, mostly highway, but some off-roading, and I noticed a significant difference in the driveability and smoothness of the steering vs the stock POS stabilizer.

TJShadow · 09-30-2008, 10:59 PM

Thanks unlimited04, I think that I'm going to give it a try then. Question though, I did have death wobble when I first installed my lift so does that mean that my steering stabilizer (and anything else for that matter) was damaged/failed?

Jeepguy1977 · 10-01-2008, 01:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TJShadow

Thanks unlimited04, I think that I'm going to give it a try then. Question though, I did have death wobble when I first installed my lift so does that mean that my steering stabilizer (and anything else for that matter) was damaged/failed?

Double check the torque on the track bar and your toe-in. It doesn't mean it failed, it means something is wrong somewhere else and you should investigate.

I just changed my stock one out today for an OME unit and can tell a difference. I think the larger tires were likely over coming the stock SS to some extent. Smoother steering and less shock through the steering.

**Unlimited04** · 10-01-2008, 06:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TJShadow

Thanks unlimited04, I think that I'm going to give it a try then. Question though, I did have death wobble when I first installed my lift so does that mean that my steering stabilizer (and anything else for that matter) was damaged/failed?

how did you resolve the death wobble? if it is not fixed, then a new stabilizer won't do anything.

tangofox007 · 10-01-2008, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by silversamps85

It will dampen steering feedback.

The steering stabilizer won't dampen anything unless it leaks!!! It damps.

TJShadow · 10-01-2008, 11:02 AM

I fixed my death wobble problem by tightening the track bar bolt on the axel bracket. The Rough Country lift that I put on did'nt come with a different bracket, or an adj. track bar, so we had to drill a new hole. Unfortunetly, the hole wasnt exactly in the right place, so it had to be slightly expanded. When I went in to get an alignment the guys at the shop noticed right away that the bolt was sliping around the hole. It hasnt given me any problems since then, but I'm still considering getting an adj. track bar so that I can go back to using the factory hole. Any recomendations on a good adj. track bar?

dallasjetfan · 10-16-2008, 09:37 PM

I just finished putting on my OME lift and have no problems at all. I did not replace the SS which has 32K miles on it. I do notice when driving on highway that bumps tend to pull my wheel harder than before the lift. Should I go ahead and replace it? Will this help?

**Unlimited04** · 10-17-2008, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TJShadow

I fixed my death wobble problem by tightening the track bar bolt on the axel bracket. The Rough Country lift that I put on did'nt come with a different bracket, or an adj. track bar, so we had to drill a new hole. Unfortunetly, the hole wasnt exactly in the right place, so it had to be slightly expanded. When I went in to get an alignment the guys at the shop noticed right away that the bolt was sliping around the hole. It hasnt given me any problems since then, but I'm still considering getting an adj. track bar so that I can go back to using the factory hole. Any recomendations on a good adj. track bar?

get the JKS track bar and a steering stabilizer. it sounds like that 'opened' hole (and resultant wobble) will destroy your new steering stabilizer anyway. you need to check the torque specs on the track bar and get it right, otherwise you will get wobble.

Yesfan70 · 04-19-2009, 06:51 AM

bump.

Found this topic after a search. As far as SSs go, is there a minimum size tire height/width, lift height, etc. for an after market stabilizer? I have a 2" BB and run 31x10.5 tires with the stock SS. I have not noticed any problems, but in the future if I wanted to go with 3" of lift and maybe a 33x11 or 33x11.5 tire, is it advisable then to add in the cost of a steering stabilizer with my lift? What else is usually recommended to be replaced?

I see where a few mention they had to add a stabilizer and some don't. The sizes of the lifts have varied, but it seems most of the time it has been with someone running 12.5 tire width whenever someone posts about adding a SS to their rigs.