DO I NEED A STEERING STABILIZER?

[AC77]

So how do the billions of cars produced without a steering stabilizer not have death wobble?

Becuase of the way the shock towers are designed and using McPherson style struts ! AND front subframe /engine cradle ! Evryhting is mounted on that and the rear !

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[dragoneggs]

So how do the billions of cars produced without a steering stabilizer not have death wobble?

They have IFS.

 

[Mocopo]

That's not bump steer, that's death wobble.

I also had death wobble, yes. But i was referring specifically to bump steer on this comment. The death wobble i had went away when I got rid of the bad stabilizer, but bump steer, such as the steering wheel jerking in one direction when you hit a pot hole, is a reason to have a stabilizer. Two separate issues.

 

[AnnDee4444]

Most vehicles don’t have solid front axles, but independent front suspension.

Becuase of the way the shock towers are designed and using McPherson style struts ! AND front subframe /engine cradle ! Evryhting is mounted on that and the rear !

They have IFS.

How do you explain IFS vehicles getting death wobble then?

 

[AC77]

How do you explain IFS vehicles getting death wobble then?

I believe the way the axle sits independent and solid from the chassis
I’ve installed a sector shaft brace with an upgraded Fox damper and I haven’t had any “death wobble “ it a very comfortable daily drive. With a 2.5” lift. It’s perfect

 

[AnnDee4444]

I also had death wobble, yes. But i was referring specifically to bump steer on this comment. The death wobble i had went away when I got rid of the bad stabilizer, but bump steer, such as the steering wheel jerking in one direction when you hit a pot hole, is a reason to have a stabilizer. Two separate issues.

IMO That's considered tramlining, which made worse with high scrub radius (which can be a result of high offset wheels).

A vehicle with zero scrub radius (aka king pin offset in the video below) will steer straight when hitting a pothole, regardless of front suspension design (assuming good condition of suspension joints/links), even one without a steering damper. This is because the force is centered in the contact patch, while the higher the scrub radius will have a greater moment arm effect.

Bump steer is defined by the suspension joint locations. If you were to remove the springs and cycle the suspension straight up/down a vehicle with bump steer would change the direction of steering and/or toe in/out.

edit: Even though this video is about wheel spacers, it applies to offset changes also.

 

[azjl#3]

Ditch the steering stabilizer, the sway bar, and both track bars and report back.

replace motor with diesel EV. using amsoil

Use one, it will drive meh, without, much smoother with

 

[AlphaWrangler]

Ditch the steering stabilizer, the sway bar, and both track bars and report back.

sway bars are overrated. its a lot more fun taking turns without them

 

[Zandcwhite]

Improper geometry and/or loose or worn suspension components cause death wobble. Steering stabilizers fight the symptoms of those loose or worn parts and improper geometry including death wobble but they don't cause it. The problem is the geometry is worse in the JL, due to the fact that Jeep just lowered the spec for proper caster as they started making models of different heights amongst other things. No 4⁰ isn't good enough despite what they tell you. The ball joints now come with crap plastic liners and are loose when new. Cheap bushings. The list goes on. An imbalanced tire can even cause death wobble. That's a lot of stuff to replace and then keep in perfect order, but the stabilizer isn't causing the wobble.

 

[Zandcwhite]

IMO That's considered tramlining, which made worse with high scrub radius (which can be a result of high offset wheels).

A vehicle with zero scrub radius (aka king pin offset in the video below) will steer straight when hitting a pothole, regardless of front suspension design (assuming good condition of suspension joints/links), even one without a steering damper. This is because the force is centered in the contact patch, while the higher the scrub radius will have a greater moment arm effect.

Bump steer is defined by the suspension joint locations. If you were to remove the springs and cycle the suspension straight up/down a vehicle with bump steer would change the direction of steering and/or toe in/out.

edit:

If you had very different length and angles between your track bar and drag link you'd still get bump steer as the axle would move in a very different arc than the steering on compression and rebound. I agree in most JLs wheel offset is probably one of the biggest causes, but it's not that simple. This relationship is the reason you need the raised track bar mount when you flip the drag link on top of the knuckle.

 

[Terrymo]

Improper geometry and/or loose or worn suspension components cause death wobble. Steering stabilizers fight the symptoms of those loose or worn parts and improper geometry including death wobble but they don't cause it. The problem is the geometry is worse in the JL, due to the fact that Jeep just lowered the spec for proper caster as they started making models of different heights amongst other things. No 4⁰ isn't good enough despite what they tell you. The ball joints now come with crap plastic liners and are loose when new. Cheap bushings. The list goes on. An imbalanced tire can even cause death wobble. That's a lot of stuff to replace and then keep in perfect order, but the stabilizer isn't causing the wobble.

I recently replaced a tire after taking a chunk out of the sidewall of the OE tire. I couldn’t even hit the smallest pothole without a terrible steering shake. I won’t go as far as to call it death wobble, but the Jeep was not driveable until the tire was correctly balanced.

 

[AnnDee4444]

If you had very different length and angles between your track bar and drag link you'd still get bump steer as the axle would move in a very different arc than the steering on compression and rebound. I agree in most JLs wheel offset is probably one of the biggest causes, but it's not that simple. This relationship is the reason you need the raised track bar mount when you flip the drag link on top of the knuckle.

Flipped drag link without raising the track bar, or raised track bar without flipping the drag link are the only ways I can think of to get bump steer on the JL. Or maybe if someone makes a drop pitman arm...

Either way, stock geometry will never have bump steer.

 

[mrtm1970]

Dragging up a somewhat old post….I have the same sort of question…

As some have seen, I am going to be installing Dynatrac Ball Joints and putting in the Steer Smart Aluminum Tie Rod and Steer Smart Drag Link. I realized I needed to relocate the mounting of the Steering Stablizer and ordered the Steer Smart Relocation bracket and Tie Rod Mount. I ordered both last Sunday in hopes to get them before this weekend.

Looks like I’m getting the $hit end of ordering the same brand part at the same time and got 1 side in (Tie Rod Mount) and it is showing the Relocation bracket isn’t showing up UNTIL Tuesday

So, how safe would it be to run without the Steering Stabalizer for a couple days OR should I hold off installing the Tie Rod and keep the stock one in till the part comes in?

I will have the new Dynatrac Ball Joints installed as well as the Steer Smart Drag Link…

 

[azjl#3]

Fox ATS. Insanely pricey, worth every penny. Replaced my OEM at 2,000 miles, I also think it will greatly reduce wear on all the parts that wear because its not allowing movement now.

 

[GaryToo]

I never ran one for 20 years on my TJ. I wanted to feel what is going on not have it covered up or hidden until it was bad . If it stops death wobble its hiding the real problem

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