Hydro Assist and DW ?
Thread Starter
JK Newbie
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
From: Sandy, UT
Hydro Assist and DW ?
Now that I've been running my 37's on the rocks in Moab a few times, upgrading to Hydro Assist is in the plans.
However, in the past I've also had the excitement of DW. With that now in-check (worn ball joints....now replaced), I was wondering if anyone has experienced DW with a Hydro Assist (HA) ?
My wife is nervous that with the Hydro Assist, that IF we have that occur again, and with HA, it will only amplify the issue which scares her to death (she does drive the Jeep around town and loves it...usually), but hates the DW experience. She's been doing her own research and some people say it can't happen with HA (masks any issues), yet others say it makes it worse.
So.....what's the truth? Anyone running HA and have still experienced DW?
However, in the past I've also had the excitement of DW. With that now in-check (worn ball joints....now replaced), I was wondering if anyone has experienced DW with a Hydro Assist (HA) ?
My wife is nervous that with the Hydro Assist, that IF we have that occur again, and with HA, it will only amplify the issue which scares her to death (she does drive the Jeep around town and loves it...usually), but hates the DW experience. She's been doing her own research and some people say it can't happen with HA (masks any issues), yet others say it makes it worse.
So.....what's the truth? Anyone running HA and have still experienced DW?
JK Junkie
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 3,068
Likes: 116
From: Bunnlevel, NC
Fortunately I've never had DW. I do have HA. Here's my thinking on it (which could be wrong).
DW usually isn't the result of BOTH wheels (or sides of the steering system) being out of whack, it's one side and it overcomes the power steering system to the point you can't control it.
With HA, I don't think it'll show as DW.. probably you'll notice it as a vibration going down the road and MAYBE a little bit of shimmy in the steering wheel. The reason I say that is that with HA, you don't have ANY (at least I don't) feedback into the steering wheel when you hit a pothole or a bump for example. Where you point the steering wheel is where you're going.
SO that is also a downside to HA. It's going to mask steering issues so you have to be more vigilant in inspections and maintenance.
DW usually isn't the result of BOTH wheels (or sides of the steering system) being out of whack, it's one side and it overcomes the power steering system to the point you can't control it.
With HA, I don't think it'll show as DW.. probably you'll notice it as a vibration going down the road and MAYBE a little bit of shimmy in the steering wheel. The reason I say that is that with HA, you don't have ANY (at least I don't) feedback into the steering wheel when you hit a pothole or a bump for example. Where you point the steering wheel is where you're going.
SO that is also a downside to HA. It's going to mask steering issues so you have to be more vigilant in inspections and maintenance.
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 230
Likes: 3
From: Phoenix AZ
I too have hydro assist and agree with some of the above.
There is no kickback on potholes etc., the rig goes where pointed, end of story.
Having said that worn/shot bushings/ball joints and ovalized track bar /drag link mounts will still have play and will be suspect to harmonics and the DW that results. Since hydro assist will only allow the ram to move if it receives positive/negative fluid, it will mask it much better/longer than a simple stabilizer which is essentially a shock.
So, less likely to experience it with HA, I believe so (it's a better mask), but, with HA once you get a hint of DW it's likely a really big issue with very worn part/s.
There is no kickback on potholes etc., the rig goes where pointed, end of story.
Having said that worn/shot bushings/ball joints and ovalized track bar /drag link mounts will still have play and will be suspect to harmonics and the DW that results. Since hydro assist will only allow the ram to move if it receives positive/negative fluid, it will mask it much better/longer than a simple stabilizer which is essentially a shock.
So, less likely to experience it with HA, I believe so (it's a better mask), but, with HA once you get a hint of DW it's likely a really big issue with very worn part/s.
