Steering Stabalizer reasoning???

[xterraminator]

After looking at a few trucks in person(even non xterras) I have seen a few where on a solid axle setup they don't use a steering stabilizer shock. The other day I saw a jeep with a reasonable lift, 35's, 1 ton steering, very nice setup, no hydro assist and to my surprise he was not using a stabilizer. Even when you look at a stock xterra they don't use them. What is the biggest reason why its required for a solid axle. I have always been wondering why, very curious. Then there is the flip side where you will see a huge honkin F250 using 2 or even 4 on the front. My last question is if everything is tight and snug and aligned properly what happens when you don't use one or is it even required?

 

[Silver dude]

Its not required. It absorbs shocks and impacts in the steering system to prevent the wheel from spinning or jerking violently while off highway. Its a luxury item.

Ben

 

[xterraminator]

So on the highway it's not required but on the trails is more of a luxury? Is this correct? How can a stock xterra not use them?

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[Silver dude]

Its just a luxury item overall. I have one fitted to my X. On road I can't say it does much because the road is smooth. Offroad with the tires slamming into boulders and potholes its a nice luxury to not having to fight the wheel for control as much. My hands don't tire as much as I don't have to grip the wheel with as much vigor. If I didn't have one at all it would be fine. Just the steering would be less dampened. The stock xterra didn't come with one likely to save money on production costs. They are usually fitted to larger lifted rigs because with larger tires comes larger back feed leverage. The bigger the tires the harder they are to tame. A steering dampener is mearly a helper to slow the movements of the steering to make the truck more luxurious.

Ben

 

[metzican]

When I read up on this a while back It seemed to me that the on road benefit would be if your steering system is loose it would help limit the famous death wobble. For off road with bigger tires comes more mass and larger forces kicking back at you through the steering system into the wheel it helps calm this jolting that could happen.

 

[xterraminator]

Thanks for all the good info. So I have concluded that it is not a requirement but a luxury. I can live with that. Much appreciated.

 

[robcarync]

Not even really a luxury...a false sense of security in my opinion.

If your steering system is fresh and in good condition...you shouldn't have much feed back or death wobble. If you have worn out components that lead to wobbly tires...you won't FEEL it as much with a stabilizer...but your parts can be just as much worn out without you knowing it.

 

[metzican]

Not even really a luxury...a false sense of security in my opinion.

If your steering system is fresh and in good condition...you shouldn't have much feed back or death wobble. If you have worn out components that lead to wobbly tires...you won't FEEL it as much with a stabilizer...but your parts can be just as much worn out without you knowing it.

I would agree with this. But I would also like to say that I think it can prevent parts from wearing out as quickly. Since it prevents shock loading of the other components in the steering system. Think of the gearing ratio from the steering wheel to the wheel. Now think how much force it takes to rip that steering wheel out of your hands.

 

[Krokus_01Xterra]

Can I add my .02 cents here? I am new to this forum, but at my age not new to 4x4's. I have a 96 F350 4x4 and have never used a Steering Stabilizer. Last year at 298,000 miles I went through the whole front end and replaced everything with new parts. I installed a Stabilizer at that time. Going down the same bumpy roads as always, wheeling the same trails, towing the same trailers as always, I see no benefit of having it installed other than for "looks".

OTOH, my 2001 Rodeo 4x4 improved a lot in on-road stability with one installed. It used to follow the rain grooves in the highway and want to change lanes with the slightest of movement in the steering wheel, which with power steering was very easy to do. The stabilizer helped keep the steering wheel from moving to easily, therefore keeping the vehicle going down the road in a more steady fashion.

So, my opinion is, they may be of use in on-road situations when your at higher speeds, and of little to no use while off roading. I also think Stabilizer is a misleading term, and they should be called steering dampers. Steering Dampers , work great on motorcycles BTW.

 

[xterraminator]

All good info!! Anyway once the SAS is done and I feel that it needs it then I will put it on. Few fab mods should be easy to put on. Thanks for all the good feedback.

 

[TheFauxFox]

Not even really a luxury...a false sense of security in my opinion.

If your steering system is fresh and in good condition...you shouldn't have much feed back or death wobble. If you have worn out components that lead to wobbly tires...you won't FEEL it as much with a stabilizer...but your parts can be just as much worn out without you knowing it.

Pretty much this. It also reduces bump-steer.