yep, I went through the phone tree and got the service department. They took my number and called me back with oh so helpful information.

 

My 2007 has the body connected to the axle and the shaft to the tie rod.

 

Interesting. So maybe there has never been consistent installation??

 

i swapped mine out so im not sure witch way it was but it should not really matter to much it's going to work either way you put it just a matter of it rubbing or not.

 

BTW: Calling Jeep (Chrysler) about your Jeep is like asking an infant to do your homework. They just stare at you clueless. Kind of like this .[/QUOTE]

I remember when I was last at the dealer and he wanted to sell me a patriot while I was waiting, I said I would pass, that is my "rubi" over there. He said what is a "rubi",

 

Go search the TSB section. There's one that covers this. Jeep installed a lot of them backwards from the factory early on and had failures due to interference with the stabilizer body.

 

My 08 X I had and my current 09 Rubi have this set up.

 

From TSB 19-003-07 REV. A. Note this applies to 2007 JKs, but I can't imagine why it would also apply to 2008 and 2009 models.

SYMPTOM/CONDITION:
The customer may notice that there is a slow fluid leak at the steering damper seal. This condition may be due to the orientation (mounting) of the steering damper to the vehicle. If the rod end of the steering damper is attached to the axle bracket, then the rod may be more susceptible to rock/stone contact. Rock/stone contact may damage the surface of the damper rod, which in turn, can damage the damper seal.
Mounting (orienting) the steering damper so that the damper rod is attached to the tie rod (versus the axle bracket), will better protect the damper rod from possible rock/stone damage.

Here's a picture of proper orientation:

 

Thank you all for posting and thanks for the TSB too, my steering stabilizer on my 07 is busted up and I was about to replace it the "old school" way!

RT

 

why bother replacing it

if your front end is set up correctly, you don't even need it. I haven't had a SS for 8 months now