Steering Stabilizers or “steering shocks”

[MarsChariot]

One of the last items I need to get to finish off my off-the-frame is a steering stabilizer. In the past I, like most folks, just grab one and slap it on and forget about. But I just realized that I have never seen a discussion about these. I mean, is there any such thing as a bad one? Too stiff? Too big? What would you look for in a good one? They’re pretty basic, but so are a lot of simple parts on our rigs. But we know a bad part (spark plug, gasket, etc.) when we get one. Anyway, since it is attached to the steering linkage, it seems like something to think about before grabbing just any old steering stabilizer.

 

[broncnaz]

I'd probably just grab one and stick it on. About the only spec's I've ever seen on them is rod and piston size. I know the stock ones had a pretty small rod size and most of the aftermarket ones have rod sizes from 1/2" to 5/8". overall probably not a big differance in any of them they are just there to reduce shock. Some people dont even run them and no differance is noticed.

 

[Gerbow]

X2 with bronconaz. If your front end and steering components are all tight with no problems you probably wont notice much difference and probably dont need one. If you do get one Id say just make sure to install it correctly so it wont restrict the tight bronco turn radius.

 

[Broncobowsher]

I have never found which one is better. One of those parts that exists but any brand is as good as any other. the cycling of that damper is so much less then any suspension damper, if a company can make a halfway decent suspension damper then the steering version is an easy build for them.

There are a lot of people who say you don't need one. Well you don't need seatbelts either. I had an old article from the 60's that stated that they started putting them on after tearing up steering boxes. Realisticly that is all it should do. Dampen sudden impacts to the steering system. Considering the cost of a steering box, cheap insurance. Properly installed you should never know it is there in normal driving. I had one breal a weld on the frame side once (yes there are severe forces going on there). On the road, never knew it. On the trail (after it broke) I sometimes would have a tire catch and the steering wheel would violently spin in my hands. Needless to say I fixed the bracket.

Bad installs include things like binding while steering, stroke too short and bottoming out, placing where the can gets hit and damaged, installing at ineffective (or even degrative) angles. One side on the frame, the other on the draglink really close to the pitman arm is correct. That is where you are trying to stop forces from getting into the steering box.

 

[ET]

I don't know a thing about his but it's pretty popular for the ram folks that upgraded their steering. It's pricey.

http://www.thecarlisuspension.com/dodge-ram/components/highmountstabilizer.html

Eugene

 

[Explorer]

I truly would make it the last thing to install. Get it out on the road and make sure any issues you may have are taken care of. They can mask a problem. As far as picking one or even two, would depend on tire sizes, type of use. On a trail rig I'd go bigger bore, heavier unit than I would a daily driver small tire rig. I've had the steering wheel ripped out of my hand just touching the curb in town and up on the sidewalk, so yes I always install one. But, just my opinion.

 

[MarsChariot]

Thanks for all the input. Well, shoot. I guess any old steering shock will work. But it's true, there are some serious shocks going on there, so it makes sense that it is important to damping out some of the side loads on the steering components. It is a kind of pre-load on the steering system that absorbs the high frequency inputs. Like a throttle spring, I suppose the main differences would be within personal preferences.