FOX ATS Warning!
JK Junkie
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 2,145
Likes: 4
From: Israel
If there's some momentary air compression, the pressure is too low and too brief to meaningfully change the steering feel.
Think about this: If the SS was supposed to constantly push out, then it would have constantly rotated the steering wheel to one side... contradicting its very function -- stabilizing.
Last edited by GJeep; Feb 8, 2015 at 05:23 AM.
JK Junkie
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 2,145
Likes: 4
From: Israel
This is a typical construction of a steering stabilizer:
As can be seen, the piston is inert. Only an external force (rotating the steering wheel or a pressure that turns the front wheels sideways) can cause the piston to move.
Knob 'E' controls the area of the small orifice(s), which determines the amount of resistance to piston movement.
Adjusting it to higher resistance to oil flow, makes it harder to rotate the steering wheel.
The spring you see, pressurizes the oil. The reason for it is to allow oil expansion if/when the oil gets warmer. This spring creates equal pressure on both sides of the piston, so it cannot cause piston movement.
This may be falsely interpreted as 'more steering feel'. In fact, a harder SS masks some the feel of what each of the wheels is doing. The harder feel is misleading.
As can be seen, the piston is inert. Only an external force (rotating the steering wheel or a pressure that turns the front wheels sideways) can cause the piston to move.
Knob 'E' controls the area of the small orifice(s), which determines the amount of resistance to piston movement.
Adjusting it to higher resistance to oil flow, makes it harder to rotate the steering wheel.
The spring you see, pressurizes the oil. The reason for it is to allow oil expansion if/when the oil gets warmer. This spring creates equal pressure on both sides of the piston, so it cannot cause piston movement.
This may be falsely interpreted as 'more steering feel'. In fact, a harder SS masks some the feel of what each of the wheels is doing. The harder feel is misleading.
Last edited by GJeep; Feb 8, 2015 at 05:51 AM.
JK Jedi
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 6,222
Likes: 376
From: Southwest Reno, NV
Some air in there may be momentarily compressed. Keep it compressed, wait a little bit for the pressure to equalize on both sides of the piston, and it'll stay put.
If there's some momentary air compression, the pressure is too low and too brief to meaningfully change the steering feel.
Think about this: If the SS was supposed to constantly push out, then it would have constantly rotated the steering wheel to one side... contradicting its very function -- stabilizing.
If there's some momentary air compression, the pressure is too low and too brief to meaningfully change the steering feel.
Think about this: If the SS was supposed to constantly push out, then it would have constantly rotated the steering wheel to one side... contradicting its very function -- stabilizing.
JK Junkie
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 2,482
Likes: 1
From: Denver, CO
the fox 2.0 I put on would extend fully with pressure. I could compress it by hand and it would drive the piston right back out. Simple test to determine if it is pressurized?
Former Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 2,573
Likes: 2
From: USA
DJ1 = 1 ; GJeep = 0
JK Junkie
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 2,145
Likes: 4
From: Israel
The pressure should be the same on either side of the piston.
Last edited by GJeep; Feb 8, 2015 at 07:34 AM.
JK Junkie
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 2,318
Likes: 12
From: New Hampshire
i hear that !
Cut it off with a grinding wheel.
I paid $355 for my ATS.
As soon as FOX sends it back to me, it's going back on.
As far as salt on the roads, It might not be as bad here as in NH, but when I took mine off, it showed no signs of corrosion.
Nothing a little douche from a hose wouldn't cure.
For my 2 door, this was one of my best mods.
Brand new before my lift, my JK handled like crap when hitting potholes on turns at 50+mph. It would almost change direction.
Same roads, and with a 2.5" RK lift (more like 3"), 35's, and the ATS, it holds the line in turns.
All these guys that talk about bump steer and how a SS is useless, are talking about straight roads with potholes. Try driving on some of the roads in NYC at 40-50 mph in a 2 door without a steering stab. Good Luck!
I paid $355 for my ATS.
As soon as FOX sends it back to me, it's going back on.
As far as salt on the roads, It might not be as bad here as in NH, but when I took mine off, it showed no signs of corrosion.
Nothing a little douche from a hose wouldn't cure.
For my 2 door, this was one of my best mods.
Brand new before my lift, my JK handled like crap when hitting potholes on turns at 50+mph. It would almost change direction.
Same roads, and with a 2.5" RK lift (more like 3"), 35's, and the ATS, it holds the line in turns.
All these guys that talk about bump steer and how a SS is useless, are talking about straight roads with potholes. Try driving on some of the roads in NYC at 40-50 mph in a 2 door without a steering stab. Good Luck!
As you know NH roads are riddled with bumps from frost heaves and potholes too . Thats why im going with one in the early spring if the snow ever leaves the area could be May before the snow goes . Been wanting one of these shocks for for a bit, so time to have one on there .
jeepstin12 ) had great reviews with the ats i think some time back in conversation & i just put it on the backburner due to other expenses . Time to get it done .
Last edited by jeepmojo; Feb 8, 2015 at 08:14 AM.
JK Junkie
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 2,145
Likes: 4
From: Israel
I'm not in any competition... 
I wouldn't install a SS that will push my steering wheel to one side... I'd install a SS that functions like a SS should.
I wouldn't correct bump steer by adjusting a SS to make the steering hard... I'd solve the issue, so I'd have no bump steer even with the SS removed.
I have a 4" lifted 4-dr on 35"s, and have no bump steer, with a plain Fox SS, not the ATS.
The only reason why I have the Fox SS, and not the stock one, is that I got it for free with the lift.
The built-in lack of directional stability of Wranglers (and of any vehicle with live axle suspension), was solved by replacing the rear radius arm with Full Traction CRC Link. Light fingers on the steering wheel is all it takes, no constant corrections needed even on bad roads.
I've driven a 2-dr with it, and the effect was even more prominent.
I also wouldn't scratch my left ear with my right hand over the head... or inflate the tires to 36psi, to get sharper steering... But, to each his own...
I wouldn't install a SS that will push my steering wheel to one side... I'd install a SS that functions like a SS should.
I wouldn't correct bump steer by adjusting a SS to make the steering hard... I'd solve the issue, so I'd have no bump steer even with the SS removed.
I have a 4" lifted 4-dr on 35"s, and have no bump steer, with a plain Fox SS, not the ATS.
The only reason why I have the Fox SS, and not the stock one, is that I got it for free with the lift.
The built-in lack of directional stability of Wranglers (and of any vehicle with live axle suspension), was solved by replacing the rear radius arm with Full Traction CRC Link. Light fingers on the steering wheel is all it takes, no constant corrections needed even on bad roads.
I've driven a 2-dr with it, and the effect was even more prominent.
I also wouldn't scratch my left ear with my right hand over the head... or inflate the tires to 36psi, to get sharper steering... But, to each his own...
Last edited by GJeep; Feb 8, 2015 at 08:04 AM.
JK Jedi
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 6,222
Likes: 376
From: Southwest Reno, NV
It is not a lot of pressure and should not be enough to affect jeeps that have proper caster. The nitrogen charge is there to keep the oil from captivating when the oil gets hot. I would not really recommend using one that is gas charged on a daily driver. They are made for the off road racer that will be heating up the shocks.
JK Junkie
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 2,145
Likes: 4
From: Israel
It is not a lot of pressure and should not be enough to affect jeeps that have proper caster. The nitrogen charge is there to keep the oil from captivating when the oil gets hot. I would not really recommend using one that is gas charged on a daily driver. They are made for the off road racer that will be heating up the shocks.