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Is this BDS steering stabilizer upside down?

numberfive

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Full disclosure: I don't know a ton about suspensions, but this seems wrong somehow.

I took my JL to a 4x4 shop that recommended a JKS 2.5" lift and BDS dual steering stabilizer, and when I picked it up the tech that installed it didn't know how the quick disconnects worked for the sway bars. I took a look and saw they were just pins you had to flip up and pull out so I showed him for next time.

I drove off and it all seemed fine, but I've had this nagging voice in the back of my mind about the steering stabilizer location. Shouldn't they be ABOVE the tie rod, not below? It feels like this cancels out the benefits of a lift if I lost clearance because the steering stabilizer is the lowest part now instead of the tie rod. The first time I take this off road and go over a rock, it's going to hit that stabilizer first and then crunch, no more stabilizer right?

Or am I just overthinking this and they're designed for a ton of abuse from rocks etc?

Thanks for any advice on this!
Jeep Wrangler JL Is this BDS steering stabilizer upside down? 1723045323274-nv
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Barney392

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Full disclosure: I don't know a ton about suspensions, but this seems wrong somehow.

I took my JL to a 4x4 shop that recommended a JKS 2.5" lift and BDS dual steering stabilizer, and when I picked it up the tech that installed it didn't know how the quick disconnects worked for the sway bars. I took a look and saw they were just pins you had to flip up and pull out so I showed him for next time.

I drove off and it all seemed fine, but I've had this nagging voice in the back of my mind about the steering stabilizer location. Shouldn't they be ABOVE the tie rod, not below? It feels like this cancels out the benefits of a lift if I lost clearance because the steering stabilizer is the lowest part now instead of the tie rod. The first time I take this off road and go over a rock, it's going to hit that stabilizer first and then crunch, no more stabilizer right?

Or am I just overthinking this and they're designed for a ton of abuse from rocks etc?

Thanks for any advice on this!
1723045323274-nv.jpg
Google can be your best friend.

https://res.cloudinary.com/fox-factory/image/upload/v1699502014/BDS/55381.pdf
 
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numberfive

numberfive

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Barney392

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Awesome, thank you! My google brought me to this video where he uses a bracket to tuck it above the tie rod:
(skip to 4:00)

I also wasn't sure if this is just a design issue since now it's the lowest most forward-facing part instead of the tie rod? Any issues with approach angles now that there is a lower steering stabilizer?
I think you are looking at two different kits. The one you have has two stabilizers and the one in the video only has one. I do agree the double kits looks like it will be easily damaged.
 

BDinTX

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This may be a case where the shop sold you something that looks cool but isn't the right solution for you. That center bracket ties into the bottom of the axle so it may not be practical to move it up and relocate the stabilizers above the tie rod.

You're right about them being prime rock targets in that configuration. If you're lucky you can go back to them and talk them into swapping in something more like in the video. A single, through shaft stabilizer relocated above the tie rod.
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