Jeep Parts > Technical Articles > Steering Stabilizers

Steering Stabilizers

A steering stabilizer, also referred to as a steering damper, works like a shock absorber for your steering system. That may sound odd, as your steering wheel ideally shouldn't hit the ground. The parts of your jeep that do hit the ground, however, routinely send that impact throughout the vehicle. The shock absorbers attached to your wheels are useful for blunting the effect of rough pavement, but sometimes extra help is needed with larger potholes or smaller boulders. The steering stabilizer is meant to protect the steering column - and your wrists - from whatever you are putting your tires through.

Steering stabilizers are standard on most Jeeps. Your steering stabilizer was precisely engineered to absorb the vibrations that everyday driving will impose on your vehicle. Because it will absorb and mitigate most of the front end vibration, the steering stabilizer will also extend the working life of your ball joints, tie rods and other steering components. If your Jeep is used primarily on some sort of road, and you have refrained from doing any extreme modifications, your factory steering stabilizer should do its job just fine.

Of course, there isn't much point in owning a Jeep unless you can lift the vehicle, add larger tires, heavy duty shocks, longer control arms and a 90lb winch on the front, right? While all of these modifications could make off-road performance a lot more fun, they can render your steering stabilizer just about useless. The results of an overwhelmed steering stabilizer are quickly apparent; shimmies, shakes, bump steering and a steering wheel that wants to jump out of your hands. Upgrading to a heavy-duty steering stabilizer will decrease any shimmies, help prevent the steering wheel from jumping out of your hands on rough roads and could provide more control in case of a blowout.

A good steering stabilizer can be found for around $50, which is much cheaper than replacing your steering linkage. Depending on your health insurance, it should also be cheaper than fixing whatever damage is done to your wrists. Replacing the steering stabilizer should be an easy task for a competent mechanic. One piece of advice, though; if you don't have a Pitman arm puller, it is worth renting one to remove the tapered bolt which is holding the old stabilizer in place.

If you plan to lift your Jeep soon, plan on upgrading your steering stabilizer as well. If you've already done the lift, it's not too late, just less convenient. Getting the job done will make your Jeep easier to control and less likely to break again. What's not to like?