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As noted in the other stabilizer thread, people are buying the Fox 985-24-001 Steering Stabilizer, some say it won't work and others say it will.
Here are my results as I now have it installed, as you can see in the photos they are the same length extended. But, when pushed in the stock unit was about 1-7/8" shorter than the Fox pushed in, the Fox unit immediately began extending out so getting a photo was difficult. This caused concern that it was that much longer than stock when in, but I installed it anyway. Stock was like 17" and the Fox was just under 19". After getting it installed I turned all the way left and it was good, then to the right and it bottoms out on the shaft wiper/donut right as the steering knuckle hits the stop. Is this out of spec. with Fox, I'm sure it is, do they design another 1/4" or so of clearance inside when the donut bottoms out? I hope so. Will that donut wiper eventually be obliterated, probably. Had my wife get in and crank right and it bottoms on donut and knuckle stop at same time. The last photo is cranked right and relaxed as you let go of wheel.
I have the 2" BDS Level kit (with Foxes) and as others have complained, the steering was light and floaty, unstable and pretty much white knuckle at high speed (although I've gotten used to it recently.) So after getting it installed, I went and drove it, is this a great 100% better upgrade, no. Is this substantially better than it was and a good upgrade, yes. I like it, we drove to Cali. a few weeks ago and I wish this was done then. Tracks straight, much more stable and worth the $150 I paid for it. Am I concerned about the long term durability with the shock hitting bottom out, maybe. I just put 40 miles on the truck today and made two right turns that hit full lock and they both made a bottom out sound. All that said, I have no regrets buying it as its much better than I had. If it wasn't white knuckle already I would have waited but again, no regrets.
I spoke with the Fox rep at my local 4WP show today. He said they didn't have anything for the 2017s yet, and didnt expect anything til later this year. He said, "yeah, they changed the lengths on us..."
Bottoming will eventually cause failure. So I would wait and do it right. Is the tie rod end not adjustable for length?
Also, that is a gas/nitrogen charged SHOCK. It is NOT a steering stabilizer. A steering stabilizer is basically an oil shock. The difference between gas and oil is the gas (nitrogen) is under pressure. Hence why your shock extends on it's own. The oil is not under pressure and will not do this. Which is why your stock stabilizer does not extend on it's own. At the end of the day, if you don't notice a problem it really isn't a problem. But typically when you install a nitrogen charged shock as a steering stabilizer, it is pushing your steering one way and you can notice it. These trucks are probably heavy enough not to feel this slight push. But I would still opt for a proper stabilizer.
Also, that is a gas/nitrogen charged SHOCK. It is NOT a steering stabilizer. A steering stabilizer is basically an oil shock. The difference between gas and oil is the gas (nitrogen) is under pressure. Hence why your shock extends on it's own. The oil is not under pressure and will not do this. Which is why your stock stabilizer does not extend on it's own. At the end of the day, if you don't notice a problem it really isn't a problem. But typically when you install a nitrogen charged shock as a steering stabilizer, it is pushing your steering one way and you can notice it. These trucks are probably heavy enough not to feel this slight push. But I would still opt for a proper stabilizer.
all the late model steering stabilizers I have used are nitrogen charged and NOT just a "shock." I'm sure Carli doesn't just throw a "shock" out and call it a stabilizer. I don't think your assessment of stabilizers is correct in all situations.
OP.
does the shaft actually bottom at full lock, or does the wiper donut just bottom and there is still travel in the shaft?
I would like to see the actual dimensions of the mounting locations on the truck compared to the older models. My buddy has a '16, F250, maybe I will measure his stock locations and post back
all the late model steering stabilizers I have used are nitrogen charged and NOT just a "shock." I'm sure Carli doesn't just throw a "shock" out and call it a stabilizer. I don't think your assessment of stabilizers is correct in all situations.
OP.
does the shaft actually bottom at full lock, or does the wiper donut just bottom and there is still travel in the shaft?
I would like to see the actual dimensions of the mounting locations on the truck compared to the older models. My buddy has a '16, F250, maybe I will measure his stock locations and post back
Had my wife jump in and crank it right, as the steering knuckle hit the stop, the donut was smashed pretty good, I'm sure that they engineer interior clearance when the shocks bottoms. Drove the truck this morning and I'm happy with it, it's worth the upgrade, drives so much better.
Bottoming will eventually cause failure. So I would wait and do it right. Is the tie rod end not adjustable for length?
Also, that is a gas/nitrogen charged SHOCK. It is NOT a steering stabilizer. A steering stabilizer is basically an oil shock. The difference between gas and oil is the gas (nitrogen) is under pressure. Hence why your shock extends on it's own. The oil is not under pressure and will not do this. Which is why your stock stabilizer does not extend on it's own. At the end of the day, if you don't notice a problem it really isn't a problem. But typically when you install a nitrogen charged shock as a steering stabilizer, it is pushing your steering one way and you can notice it. These trucks are probably heavy enough not to feel this slight push. But I would still opt for a proper stabilizer.
It's definitely a good point. I never thought about why the stock steering stabilizer was never under pressure. So essentially, and not necessarily with our trucks, you'll have to overcome whatever pressure is on one side of the shock but have softer steering to the other side with the assistance of the shock. It makes sense to me.
I was having pretty wild feedback at highway speeds and on some of the crappier roads around here (terra grappler 285/75/18, fuel beast +1 offset wheels)so I took a chance and installed this Fox steering stabilizer (same wrong part as the others). The difference is night and day at lower speeds (30-50) so I assume it will also be improved at highway speeds, I just haunt been on the highway since installing the part. If by chance the part gets destroyed form going full lock too many times, I will replace it with the correct part if it is ever released.
I was having pretty wild feedback at highway speeds and on some of the crappier roads around here (terra grappler 285/75/18, fuel beast +1 offset wheels)so I took a chance and installed this Fox steering stabilizer (same wrong part as the others). The difference is night and day at lower speeds (30-50) so I assume it will also be improved at highway speeds, I just haunt been on the highway since installing the part. If by chance the part gets destroyed form going full lock too many times, I will replace it with the correct part if it is ever released.
Amen, so for so good. Put about 500 600 miles on the truck this week and works great, no problems and no clunks aside from that first day, must've been the steering linkage shaft that was rotated and needed to go back to normal. It works for me!
I bought this stabilizer a few weeks ago, it has been sitting on my bench.
I noticed Fox updated their website recently and now includes the '17 SD listed for this part number.
I went ahead and installed yesterday. The stabilizer is indeed the same extended length as the factory one. The compressed length is 1.5" longer than stock.
I had my wife cycle the steering back and forth. At full lock turning right, the little shaft rubber donut is compressed some, but not terribly. That donut really doesn't do anything anyway. Once it is at a certain location, it doesn't move. It doesn't wipe the shaft when the shaft compresses, the actual seal on the shock does that. The donuts on my shocks have not moved.
I have not driven the truck yet, so I don't know how it performs.
The stock stabilizer need a fair amount of force to compress it, I was shocked actually
Has there been any other updates on this FOX Steering Stabilizer and how its making out? Has anyone tried the Bilstein 5100 stabilizer and ran into the same problems?
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