front damper, is it necessary??
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: SoCal
front damper, is it necessary??
the shock that goes on the front axle, what is it good for? my truck came with one but had been romved by someone before i got it. ahould i replace it, and if i dont what are the consequences? thanks, kent.
Former Vendor
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: Hendersonville, NC
Originally Posted by wera racer
the shock that goes on the front axle, what is it good for? my truck came with one but had been romved by someone before i got it. ahould i replace it, and if i dont what are the consequences? thanks, kent.
Tuned
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 365
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From: Silverthorne, Colorado
Originally Posted by wera racer
the shock that goes on the front axle, what is it good for? my truck came with one but had been romved by someone before i got it. ahould i replace it, and if i dont what are the consequences? thanks, kent.
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2004
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It's possible your truck never came with one, all SuperDuties come with the axle attachment bracket in place. Mine didn't come with one, just as well, I installed an aftermarket Rancho. It's about twice the size of the stock Ford unit.
Originally Posted by wera racer
the shock that goes on the front axle, what is it good for? my truck came with one but had been romved by someone before i got it. ahould i replace it, and if i dont what are the consequences? thanks, kent.
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 920
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From: CA
We see alot of the steering stabilizers damaged/bent in our fleet applications, being that their 'exposed'.. We had a F450 4x2 returned from the job with a 'severe' steering wheel shake AFTER a road 'bump'.. The stabilizer had been removed out in the field for a bad bend, that caused a wheel return hang up.. After checking all the hardware for 'tight', balance and alignment, the last thing that was bolted on was the new stabilizer.. Totally cured the concern.. Won't change the steering 'effort' any, and smooths out the road...
....................HP.....................
....................HP.....................
Last edited by Hayapower!; Nov 23, 2004 at 12:30 AM.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Las Vegas
Originally Posted by Hayapower!
Won't change the steering 'effort' any, and smooths out the road...
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FTE Leadership Emeritus
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From: 3rd Rock
Originally Posted by VegasSuperDuty
I have just installed the Rough Country dual stabilizer unit and have noticed a stiffer steering. Great kit but overkill for my 315/70/17 tires, I will be taking one of the shocks off to reduce the stiff steering.
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Cargo Master
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From: Carlsbad, California
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Elder User
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: CA
Originally Posted by VegasSuperDuty
I have just installed the Rough Country dual stabilizer unit and have noticed a stiffer steering. Great kit but overkill for my 315/70/17 tires, I will be taking one of the shocks off to reduce the stiff steering.
And adding load leveling., and/or multipal shocks ect. will stiff'n the ride as well.. Was refering to a stock replacement only.. We have an F350 CC (older) that was bought at auction (couldn't find anything new at the time) because we needed to get alot of workers into 'rough' country.. It has heavy gas shocks, and the bushings are Rancho Urethane.. Not sure of the springs.. The guys on the jobs 'nick named' it the SCRAPER, in reference to the ride of the CAT.. It's horrible even on the city streets! and the dash has even broken loose from the 'hammering', and almost requires a kidney belt!!! Seat belts are a must, or you'll jamb your head into the roof...
I remember the 'old days' of the 50-60's, early 70's, when Ford had no power steering in the 250's and such.. You would have the steering wheel 'ripped' from your hands on a moderate rut when offroad.. Real wheel'n
............................HP.................... ........
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2004
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I just had to replace my steering stablilzers last week due to a large, yet well hidden, rock. I drove it around in the morning, without stabilzers, until my new shocks got delivered that afternoon. From safety point of veiw..HIGHLY Recommended. I couldn't drive over 35 mph without sever front end shimmeing. I mean to the point that you had to come to a complete stop and strart over again. Very Dangerous and extremly hard on my truck. I replaced the stock superlift with a Rancho system. They Rancho system is much better, more solid with stonger components...all and all more safe.
A guy I work with broke his steering stabilizer, only a single shock, on an off ramp...lost steering and went through the guard rail and down over the ditch. It's your choice -- Johan
A guy I work with broke his steering stabilizer, only a single shock, on an off ramp...lost steering and went through the guard rail and down over the ditch. It's your choice -- Johan
Former Vendor
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: Hendersonville, NC
Originally Posted by Johan01
I just had to replace my steering stablilzers last week due to a large, yet well hidden, rock. I drove it around in the morning, without stabilzers, until my new shocks got delivered that afternoon. From safety point of veiw..HIGHLY Recommended. I couldn't drive over 35 mph without sever front end shimmeing. I mean to the point that you had to come to a complete stop and strart over again. Very Dangerous and extremly hard on my truck. I replaced the stock superlift with a Rancho system. They Rancho system is much better, more solid with stonger components...all and all more safe.
A guy I work with broke his steering stabilizer, only a single shock, on an off ramp...lost steering and went through the guard rail and down over the ditch. It's your choice -- Johan
A guy I work with broke his steering stabilizer, only a single shock, on an off ramp...lost steering and went through the guard rail and down over the ditch. It's your choice -- Johan
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2004
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Originally Posted by PSD 60L Fx4
...it only acts as a shock to prevent sudden movement of the steerance in either direction...
Elder User
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From: US
I scraped my stock one last week. You could take the stock damper and accordian it with ease. It had 6k on it. Too small totally junk stock part. Picked up a Skyjacker replacement for 31 dollars. much better feel.