DO I NEED A STEERING STABILIZER?

[Ratbert]

Unless the steering stabilizer is hitting the drag link or frame because you have no lift, its not effected by lift height. 1 end mounts to the axle and the other to the tie rod which is mounted to the knuckles/axle directly. 1" of lift or 10" doesn't change the steering stabilizer function, mounting, angles, etc in the least bit. You could pull the axle out from under the vehicle with the tie rod still mounted and the steering stabilizer installed. It is unaffected by lift height. The big tires will make it work harder but that's it.

I was under the impression that you don't want to relocate it unless you have at least 2" of lift. That the geometry wouldn't work.

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[Zandcwhite]

I was under the impression that you don't want to relocate it unless you have at least 2" of lift. That the geometry wouldn't work.

Like I said it would have to be the drag link hitting it or it hitting the frame though because the tie rod, axle, steering stabilizer relationship/angle doesn't change with lift height. With the longer bump stops of the diesel I'd bet you could run it with no lift. Tredsdert had 1.5" of lift and longer bump stops. It didn't appear to be hitting anything. His issue was turning driver which would increase the angle of the drag link vs turning passenger and therefore increase the clearance from the stabilizer.

 

[Flip]

Your wheeling with some 100k Jeeps in a chit-box. Something has to give...lol...

You actually made 3 impressive climbs that everyone besides Brian and me were struggling with and you picked a harder line on Rock Face.

This doesn't surprise me. You're talking about Tredsdert!

Tredsdert, Tredsdert, Tredsdert!

 

[Mr.Wilson]

This post has to be clickbait.

 

[Flip]

This post has to be clickbait.

Negative my friend. Check out his jeep bro. Tredsdert is the real deal.

 

[Deleted User 38384]

Unless the steering stabilizer is hitting the drag link or frame because you have no lift, its not effected by lift height. 1 end mounts to the axle and the other to the tie rod which is mounted to the knuckles/axle directly. 1" of lift or 10" doesn't change the steering stabilizer function, mounting, angles, etc in the least bit. You could pull the axle out from under the vehicle with the tie rod still mounted and the steering stabilizer installed. It is unaffected by lift height. The big tires will make it work harder but that's it.

Your guess is as good as mine then.

 

[Deleted User 38384]

You know it's funny, I talk about not having the money to spend $125 getting a new steering stabilizer setup, and then I go to Sonoma Williams with the wife and spend $200 on shit we don't need.

I'll probably purchase the Rough Country dual steering stabilizer kit at some point. Just not immediately.

 

[Flip]

You know it's funny, I talk about not having the money to spend $125 getting a new steering stabilizer setup, and then I go to Sonoma Williams with the wife and spend $200 on shit we don't need.

I'll probably purchase the Rough Country dual steering stabilizer kit at some point. Just not immediately.

I have a factory SS you can have but its probably not worth the cost of shipping.

 

[Deleted User 38384]

I have a factory SS you can have but its probably not worth the cost of shipping.

Appreciate the offer my friend, but definitely save your money. We put about 200 miles on the Jeep today with zero issues, kids and the wife in the Jeep, and they didn't even notice that I'm missing a steering stabilizer.

 

[AnnDee4444]

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

I used to be in the "no steering stabilizer required" camp, because nobody could explain why it was necessary on some vehicles but not others. It always seemed like a band-aid for poor design and/or worn parts.

But after a few years I have a theory... which I'm sure many will disagree with: Larger profile tires act like a spring more than lower profiles. This springy-ness happens up/down in the direction of the suspension, and also side-to-side. Some of this motion is absorbed by the bushings and/or tires, but some is transferred to the steering linkage. This is what the steering stabilizer is trying to dampen... the tire oscillation, not the suspension/steering.


Edit: this kind of tire movement, but imagine a larger profile tire.

 

[Flip]

I used to be in the "no steering stabilizer required" camp, because nobody could explain why it was necessary on some vehicles but not others. It always seemed like a band-aid for poor design and/or worn parts.

But after a few years I have a theory... which I'm sure many will disagree with: Larger profile tires act like a spring more than lower profiles. This springy-ness happens up/down in the direction of the suspension, and also side-to-side. Some of this motion is absorbed by the bushings and/or tires, but some is transferred to the steering linkage. This is what the steering stabilizer is trying to dampen... the tire oscillation, not the suspension/steering.

I would definitely agree with that. Well said. My thought, if its not necessary, why does the manufacturer add one? I'm sure they would love to save the money by not adding it on every jeep made. That would add up $$$ fast.

My other concern is safety. If a quick swerve were to take place to avoid, idk lets say a deer. Would that pose any steering issues, regaining control? Idk

Treds is going to do treds.
Hey buddy @Tredsdert if you pay the shipping I'll buy the SS. It looks pretty good. Just say the word bro.

https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/fox-performance-2-0-through-shaft-stabilizer.150044/

 

[AnnDee4444]

My other concern is safety. If a quick swerve were to take place to avoid, idk lets say a deer. Would that pose any steering issues, regaining control? Idk

Probably not, but I could see it slowing the rate of steering change when hitting something like a pothole/curb with one tire. In that sense it does somewhat stabilize the steering. I'm not sure Jeep would have designed it for this purpose though, because if it was steering safety related it would be on other vehicles.



Edit: the "Moose Test" is what you're describing

 

[Ratbert]

Probably not, but I could see it slowing the rate of steering change when hitting something like a pothole/curb with one tire. In that sense it does somewhat stabilize the steering. I'm not sure Jeep would have designed it for this purpose though, because if it was steering safety related it would be on other vehicles.



Edit: the "Moose Test" is what you're describing

Those slow motion segments can be a bit sobering.

 

[gato]

My thought, if its not necessary, why does the manufacturer add one? I'm sure they would love to save the money by not adding it on every jeep made. That would add up $$$ fast.

Exactly right.

The SS is there to minimize bump steer and the possibility of bump steer turning into harmonic wobble, that can, in some cases amplify into death wobble.

Minimizing bump steer is tremendously important, not only for driver comfort. but also for parts durability and reliability. When a SFA vehicle, specially one with large tires, hits a bump there is a sharp side load imparted to the steering components as the wheel deflects up or down.

The shock absorbers will mitigate the up/down forces and oscillations. The steering stabilizer is there to mitigate the side to side forces and oscillations. It is an integrar part of the steering design on a SFA vehicle, just like shock absorbers are an integral part of the suspension design.

Yes. People can and do drive vehicles with blown, leaking, missing shocks. Some people don't care and think it "drives fine". Similarly some people drive Jeeps with blown, leaking or missing steering stabilizers and say "it drives fine".

The American "drives fine" is such a low bar. But hey, it is what it is. Some people go thru life happy that Budweiser "tastes fine" and their sex life is "fine".

Others aim higher than fine.

 

[Zandcwhite]

I would definitely agree with that. Well said. My thought, if its not necessary, why does the manufacturer add one? I'm sure they would love to save the money by not adding it on every jeep made. That would add up $$$ fast.

My other concern is safety. If a quick swerve were to take place to avoid, idk lets say a deer. Would that pose any steering issues, regaining control? Idk

Treds is going to do treds.
Hey buddy @Tredsdert if you pay the shipping I'll buy the SS. It looks pretty good. Just say the word bro.

https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/fox-performance-2-0-through-shaft-stabilizer.150044/

I think for the manufacturer it's going to help mask slightly worn parts which will reduce warranty claims. If the stabilizer gets you out of warranty before you realize the shimmy is caused by worn tie rods, ball joints, bushings, etc it has clearly paid for itself ten fold. Especially when we are talking stock sized tires it shouldn't be necessary unless something else needs addressed. That doesn't mean its not beneficial, especially for those that wheel. Odds are our toes are out of balance after every wheeling trip, and it's nice to still be able to drive home for example. Id day is not a safety issue one way or the other as even full blown death wobble doesn't cause a loss of steering control even if it feels like it. I wheeled beat up shit box XJs and ZJs and wagoneers for years and 100% can confirm you can drive 100 plus miles through the sierras trying to get home even when death wobble is hitting every time you hit a bump between 45 and 55mph. In fact if you hammer the throttle when its starting sometimes you can even accelerate out of death wobble (now we are getting into some safety concerns).

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