Dual Steering Stabilizer?
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 111
Likes: 11
From: Rancho Cucamonga
Dual Steering Stabilizer?
Had front end alignment checked today, and shop recommended dual stabilizer. Anyone done this? Necessary addition? Thanks!
i guess I should add that I experienced a bit of vibration, so after alignment was checked and all the front end parts were okay they said the only other solution was the dual stabilizer.
i guess I should add that I experienced a bit of vibration, so after alignment was checked and all the front end parts were okay they said the only other solution was the dual stabilizer.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 1,665
Likes: 180
@pirate4x4_camo will have the technical explanation, but IMHO, there’s other stuff to check. Wheel balance, tire condition, u-joints, shocks, heck even driveshaft balance before going to dual stabilizers. Are you on stock suspension? Tire size? From what over read, dual stabilizers aren’t something you’d need unless you’re doing some fairly serious wheeling. Certainly not a fix to a vibration problem.
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 111
Likes: 11
From: Rancho Cucamonga
Thanks! I figured it was a bit overkill. Everything on the front end is good to go, I do have Bilstein shocks on deck but hadn’t noticed any tire wear indicating the urgency.
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 8,259
Likes: 346
From: Northern California
dual steering dampeners are a band aid,
as noted the shop is telling you that you need them because their tech either doesn't want yo deal with it or lacks the skill to find the real cause.
example, with my 37” Tires i can drive any speed with zero detectable vibration, to run the set of 40’s I own i have to install my steering damper or my mirrors rattle so hard I cant see out of them. this is despite the fact they are balanced. the reason being one of the tires is out of round and needs to be shaved.
point being you can either find and fix the problem or but bandaids on it
as noted the shop is telling you that you need them because their tech either doesn't want yo deal with it or lacks the skill to find the real cause.
example, with my 37” Tires i can drive any speed with zero detectable vibration, to run the set of 40’s I own i have to install my steering damper or my mirrors rattle so hard I cant see out of them. this is despite the fact they are balanced. the reason being one of the tires is out of round and needs to be shaved.
point being you can either find and fix the problem or but bandaids on it
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 111
Likes: 11
From: Rancho Cucamonga
Thanks Pirate, I’m going to work on locating the source. I’d rather not bandaid the problem. Will start with double checking tire balance and then have drive shafts checked. I’ve never done driveshaft work, are they balanced? What other service do they need?
Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 3,941
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From: Texas
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 1,665
Likes: 180
Your driveshafts should be balanced form the factory. I'd check the u-joints first if you haven't already. There shouldn't be any play in them. In the most worn case, you should be able to move the driveshaft up and down by pushing an pulling on it. In some cases, you won't be able to with the shaft in the X. You'd have to remove it and feel the joints to see if they are loose or tight and gritty feeling. the other most obvious would be the front axle joints. Those are a little harder to check by hand without removal of the axles, but you should be able to slightly tun the wheels and then reach under there and spin them by hand. If they're bound up, you won't be able to.
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