Skyjacker Steering Damper question/issue…

[KleetusVanDamme]

Good morning all.

I installed a “SkyJacker Black MAX High Clearance Dual Steering Stabilizer Kit” on wifey’s JLU this past weekend.

As she was pulling out of the driveway this morning, I noticed that the center mount of this item (where the shocks meet in the middle and mount to a plate that in turn is held onto the front axle by two U-bolts) walks / moves as she was turning the steering wheel.

I stopped her and checked the bolts to see if I missed torquing them at installation, but everything checked out.

I don’t think this movement should be happening.

Any comments or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Regards, Kleetus

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[word302]

Definitely shouldn’t be moving. Skyjacker stuff is garbage.

 

[GATORB8]

Agreed, ubolts always kind of suck. Sounds like you're gonna need to risk overtorquing to get it secured.

 

[KleetusVanDamme]

Which I am afraid of. I may drill another set of holes in the plate and run a 3rd set of U bolts.

 

[GATORB8]

Which I am afraid of. I may drill another set of holes in the plate and run a 3rd set of U bolts.

Did they back off at all?

If you have room and a drill press, you could upsize to 1/2" to double the allowable torque if the bracket can take it.

 

[KleetusVanDamme]

Excellent idea! Thanks

 

[KleetusVanDamme]

As a follow up, I took the Skyjacker rig off and returned it to the seller. Waiting for the store credit to come available and I will get a Bilstien or Fox steering damper that will bolt in and simply replace the OEM steering damper that the jeep came with.

 

[jellis4148]

Get a Fox 2.0 ATS. I love mine.

https://accutuneoffroad.com/product...p-jl-ats-stabilizer-through-shaft-axle-mount/

 

[KleetusVanDamme]

I’m trying to go a little bit less expensive, but an awesome recommendation.

But for about 1/2 that, would it be worth considering the “FOX Performance Series 2.0 IFP Steering Stabilizer” or perhaps the “Bilstein B8 5100 Series Steering Damper”?

Mind you, the Jeep is highway driven 95% of the time, and only “beginner” trails when she does go off road.

Thanks as always.

 

[jellis4148]

Get a Thru shaft stabilizer. The other ones can cause the Jeep to pull to the right a little.

 

[KleetusVanDamme]

Thru shaft???

 

[jellis4148]

First one is a thru shaft. Second is regular.

 

[jellis4148]

Here is an explanation of the thru shaft, and why it's better. You don't have to do a FOX. There are other brands that are good. Hope this helps.


The ATS stabilizer is essentially two gas-charged stabilizers in one package. Since the ATS runs a shaft all the way through, it makes the surface area on both sides of the stabilizer’s piston equal. This unique two-in-one through-shaft design creates a pressure balance so no unwanted push is felt in either direction.

 

[GATORB8]

As an option. Steersmarts HD-N stabilizer is also neutral and less expensive.

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