Do i need a steering stabalizer?
JK Jedi
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 4,038
Likes: 1
From: NORTH JERSEY
Re: Do i need a steering stabalizer?
Logically, $179 arms plus shipping will be different in quality than $300 shipped arms.
I am not the one to ask, however. I do not have a high opinion of Rough Country's business strategies or quality.
It is nothing personal against their rep here on the forum--he is very helpful. Anything you order from RC should be directly through him.
I always try to give an objective answer about them, and I have complimented them on some of the changes they have made from poor designs or misleading marketing.
They say the arms have OEM rubber bushings along with the flex joint on the other end. However, OEM rubber bushings are made by Clevite, and RC will not say they are Clevite bushings. So how can they say they are OEM rubber without saying they are Clevite bushings?
Their website says they are poly bushings--not rubber.
The thickness/stiffness of the arm tubing is likely much different than Teraflex, Currie, Clayton, Full Traction, JKS, etc., etc. The materials used and the design of the flex joint appears to be different than Teraflex, Currie and Clayton.
The durability of the flex joint bushing has not really been reported by end users.
RC says they have a 60 day money back return policy, but unless you are going to wheel the crap out of it in the first 60 days to know the quality of the parts, what good does that do you?
RC font lower adjustables can be used to fix your caster problem, but how long are they going to last before you have to buy and install new bushings? No one knows.
I am not the one to ask, however. I do not have a high opinion of Rough Country's business strategies or quality.
It is nothing personal against their rep here on the forum--he is very helpful. Anything you order from RC should be directly through him.
I always try to give an objective answer about them, and I have complimented them on some of the changes they have made from poor designs or misleading marketing.
They say the arms have OEM rubber bushings along with the flex joint on the other end. However, OEM rubber bushings are made by Clevite, and RC will not say they are Clevite bushings. So how can they say they are OEM rubber without saying they are Clevite bushings?
Their website says they are poly bushings--not rubber.
The thickness/stiffness of the arm tubing is likely much different than Teraflex, Currie, Clayton, Full Traction, JKS, etc., etc. The materials used and the design of the flex joint appears to be different than Teraflex, Currie and Clayton.
The durability of the flex joint bushing has not really been reported by end users.
RC says they have a 60 day money back return policy, but unless you are going to wheel the crap out of it in the first 60 days to know the quality of the parts, what good does that do you?
RC font lower adjustables can be used to fix your caster problem, but how long are they going to last before you have to buy and install new bushings? No one knows.
Sent from my Droid
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 148
Likes: 0
From: Surrey, BC
Big tires love to follow ruts. You can do all the suspension work you want but with wider tires, it will always wander a small amount on shitty roads. Especially right lane on truck routes etc. the stuff mentioned above will help, but may not cure everything.
Thread Starter
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 205
Likes: 0
From: Louisville, KY
Yeah. I heard that about the wider tires. I think that might be some of my problem. It almost feels like your on a roller coaster and it jerks one way and then the other. I guess I will start saving for the control arms and go from there.
Thread Starter
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 205
Likes: 0
From: Louisville, KY
I am looking at getting the LCAs but how about the steering stabilizer? Is that something I shouldn't waste my money on. From past experience it seemed to really help but it sounds like some of you think it is not needed at all. The stock one is really small and thought an upgrade might help.
Eternal ***erator
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 18,270
Likes: 3
From: Niagara, New York
Dont take me wrong, it sure is nice to have to absorb the oddball brief vibration or wiggle that occurs (which is what it is there for) but if the Jeep is set up well, it isnt needed. I have been running mine for almost two months i think now without one installed at all. I DONT HAVE DEATH WOBBLE.
Mine leaked and finally blew out. I took it off to inspect it and gravity would make it move (piston thunked in both directions from extended to closed when you flipped it over.) I left it off. At the time for three reasons. I didnt have a new one, i wanted to test a theory, and i felt like crap and wanted to put my tools away and go crash on the couch.
I figure the blown one sure as hell wasnt doing squat and any worse failure could have damaged something so i circular filed it. I was curious if i would instantly get deathwobble and have my front suspenion explode like someone dumped antimatter on it like the "steering stabilizers fix death wobble" police seem to think. (I am driving 2months+ proof that THAT theory is horseshit) I felt like crap. So i went inside and oredered a new one when i had time.
Well, i have a new TeraFlex steering stab to install when i get around to it/feel better. Soon, maybe even today if I am up to it i will zip under there and swap it in real quick, but I am in no hurry.
My OEM steering stab lasted and worked just fine with my 33's until i dented it on a rock. I relocated & replaced it with an aftermarket unit. that one did fine until it puked oil and worked as well as a swizel stick in a Jack & Coke. I have my shiney new TeraFlex one to dirty and beatup as soon as i get it in.
I have not wheeled without it in place and I wouldnt, but for the highway/backroad driving i do it hasnt been a priority as it simply has NO deathwobble, shakes, shimmies or wobbles. A bit of bumpsteer and you need to keep in mind your driving a lifted jeep, but it tracks fine and rides smooth other than my 65mph driveline humm which I am convinced is just a minor castor adjustment (which i want to do when i have my tools out for the steering stab and is part of why i havent done it yet, would like to knock both off at once)
If it is dead or leaking then by all means replace it (I am not advocating running without it, i just was testing my own hair-brained idea, and I accept any consequences for that for myself, not others who wish to test thier own theory)
IMO & experience the stock steering stab is fine up to 33-34's. (if ya dont squarsh it like i did)
IF you feel like spending money and want to upgrade it at 35's or better cool, it will certainly absorb more vibes and give you, a better steering feel. (it wont however FIX vibes caused by other things that are not right; it will MASK them though, so just be sure youre 100% before you throw it on and all is good)
Which one?
There are tons of reviews on various mfg's units here, read a little i guess and chose one.
I did & I happened to chose TeraFlex because of good reviews, I already bought a lift from them, forum sponsorship, cool rep & a fair price.
Last edited by HappyCurmudgeon; Aug 17, 2010 at 01:18 AM.
Thread Starter
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 205
Likes: 0
From: Louisville, KY
technically speaking you dont "need" one if your suspension is dialed in. but otherwise I couldnt agree more!
Dont take me wrong, it sure is nice to have to absorb the oddball brief vibration or wiggle that occurs (which is what it is there for) but if the Jeep is set up well, it isnt needed. I have been running mine for almost two months i think now without one installed at all. I DONT HAVE DEATH WOBBLE.
Mine leaked and finally blew out. I took it off to inspect it and gravity would make it move (piston thunked in both directions from extended to closed when you flipped it over.) I left it off. At the time for three reasons. I didnt have a new one, i wanted to test a theory, and i felt like crap and wanted to put my tools away and go crash on the couch.
I figure the blown one sure as hell wasnt doing squat and any worse failure could have damaged something so i circular filed it. I was curious if i would instantly get deathwobble and have my front suspenion explode like someone dumped antimatter on it like the "steering stabilizers fix death wobble" police seem to think. (I am driving 2months+ proof that THAT theory is horseshit) I felt like crap. So i went inside and oredered a new one when i had time.
Well, i have a new TeraFlex steering stab to install when i get around to it/feel better. Soon, maybe even today if I am up to it i will zip under there and swap it in real quick, but I am in no hurry.
My OEM steering stab lasted and worked just fine with my 33's until i dented it on a rock. I relocated & replaced it with an aftermarket unit. that one did fine until it puked oil and worked as well as a swizel stick in a Jack & Coke. I have my shiney new TeraFlex one to dirty and beatup as soon as i get it in.
I have not wheeled without it in place and I wouldnt, but for the highway/backroad driving i do it hasnt been a priority as it simply has NO deathwobble, shakes, shimmies or wobbles. A bit of bumpsteer and you need to keep in mind your driving a lifted jeep, but it tracks fine and rides smooth other than my 65mph driveline humm which I am convinced is just a minor castor adjustment (which i want to do when i have my tools out for the steering stab and is part of why i havent done it yet, would like to knock both off at once)
If it is dead or leaking then by all means replace it (I am not advocating running without it, i just was testing my own hair-brained idea, and I accept any consequences for that for myself, not others who wish to test thier own theory)
IMO & experience the stock steering stab is fine up to 33-34's. (if ya dont squarsh it like i did)
IF you feel like spending money and want to upgrade it at 35's or better cool, it will certainly absorb more vibes and give you, a better steering feel. (it wont however FIX vibes caused by other things that are not right; it will MASK them though, so just be sure youre 100% before you throw it on and all is good)
Which one?
There are tons of reviews on various mfg's units here, read a little i guess and chose one.
I did & I happened to chose TeraFlex because of good reviews, I already bought a lift from them, forum sponsorship, cool rep & a fair price.
Dont take me wrong, it sure is nice to have to absorb the oddball brief vibration or wiggle that occurs (which is what it is there for) but if the Jeep is set up well, it isnt needed. I have been running mine for almost two months i think now without one installed at all. I DONT HAVE DEATH WOBBLE.
Mine leaked and finally blew out. I took it off to inspect it and gravity would make it move (piston thunked in both directions from extended to closed when you flipped it over.) I left it off. At the time for three reasons. I didnt have a new one, i wanted to test a theory, and i felt like crap and wanted to put my tools away and go crash on the couch.
I figure the blown one sure as hell wasnt doing squat and any worse failure could have damaged something so i circular filed it. I was curious if i would instantly get deathwobble and have my front suspenion explode like someone dumped antimatter on it like the "steering stabilizers fix death wobble" police seem to think. (I am driving 2months+ proof that THAT theory is horseshit) I felt like crap. So i went inside and oredered a new one when i had time.
Well, i have a new TeraFlex steering stab to install when i get around to it/feel better. Soon, maybe even today if I am up to it i will zip under there and swap it in real quick, but I am in no hurry.
My OEM steering stab lasted and worked just fine with my 33's until i dented it on a rock. I relocated & replaced it with an aftermarket unit. that one did fine until it puked oil and worked as well as a swizel stick in a Jack & Coke. I have my shiney new TeraFlex one to dirty and beatup as soon as i get it in.
I have not wheeled without it in place and I wouldnt, but for the highway/backroad driving i do it hasnt been a priority as it simply has NO deathwobble, shakes, shimmies or wobbles. A bit of bumpsteer and you need to keep in mind your driving a lifted jeep, but it tracks fine and rides smooth other than my 65mph driveline humm which I am convinced is just a minor castor adjustment (which i want to do when i have my tools out for the steering stab and is part of why i havent done it yet, would like to knock both off at once)
If it is dead or leaking then by all means replace it (I am not advocating running without it, i just was testing my own hair-brained idea, and I accept any consequences for that for myself, not others who wish to test thier own theory)
IMO & experience the stock steering stab is fine up to 33-34's. (if ya dont squarsh it like i did)
IF you feel like spending money and want to upgrade it at 35's or better cool, it will certainly absorb more vibes and give you, a better steering feel. (it wont however FIX vibes caused by other things that are not right; it will MASK them though, so just be sure youre 100% before you throw it on and all is good)
Which one?
There are tons of reviews on various mfg's units here, read a little i guess and chose one.
I did & I happened to chose TeraFlex because of good reviews, I already bought a lift from them, forum sponsorship, cool rep & a fair price.
JK Junkie
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 3,343
Likes: 3
From: Amherst, Ohio
after reading this thread, i'm going to save for some decent LCA's for the front so i can fix my caster angle and improve my ride quality.. however when i was making my quick disconnect's the other day, while under the Jeep something dripped on me, and after looking for it i found that my stock steering stabilizer was seeping quite a bit, even made a nice wet spot on the axle behind it from highway speeds. I can tell a big difference in steering quality and road manners because that was over a week ago and my stock stabilizer is about out of any fluid. i didn't bang it on a rock or hit anything, so is it possible for these things to just get blown out? I'm searching for a good stabilizer now..
Eternal ***erator
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 18,270
Likes: 3
From: Niagara, New York
it is basically just a shock, so yes. they can just get bad seals and blow out. my last one just leaked out, it wasnt dented.
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 262
Likes: 1
From: GULFPORT, MS
Depending on how much you wheel offroad, you could always try the AEV control arm brackets. You will loose a little ground clearance, but they do work, at $99.00 they are'nt a bad deal. I just ordered a set from David at Northridge.