Steering stabilizer bar

[DavidG]

Has anyone seen the YouTube video from Agile Off-road on their custom Fox steering stabilizer bar for the Grenadier? Have you tried it out? If so, what do you think? Also related - if you had it installed, do you know if it voids the warranty?

Yup! I installed it 2 weeks ago. I have it in the mid (14) setting but honestly haven’t noticed much difference. I’m going to try the stiff (24) setting to see if I notice the difference

 

[Michael_in_Baja]

Yup! I installed it 2 weeks ago. I have it in the mid (14) setting but honestly haven’t noticed much difference. I’m going to try the stiff (24) setting to see if I notice the difference

Really? I set mine in the middle at 12 and it unwinds out of a turn peehaps 90% of the way, giving me the rest of the engineers intended stiffness.

My bigger concern regarding the stabilizer was the amount of force needed to compress the OEM unit and the amount of wear and tear that is going to put on our front ends over time.

 

[Quartermaster]

Really? I set mine in the muddle at 12 and it unwinds out of a turn peehaps 90% of the way.

My bigger concern regarding the stabilizer was the amount of force needed to compress the OEM unit and the amount of wear and tear that is going to put on our front ends over time.

That are my thoughts as well. The stress on the steering components is strongly reduced with my Old man Emu.

 

[Zimm]

Really? I set mine in the middle at 12 and it unwinds out of a turn peehaps 90% of the way, giving me the rest of the engineers intended stiffness.

My bigger concern regarding the stabilizer was the amount of force needed to compress the OEM unit and the amount of wear and tear that is going to put on our front ends over time.

If the stiffness was "engineered" and not intended to compensate, by definition that was taken into consideration and will not happen.

I also don't think any of the materials used are going to fatigue. Doubling the force on a stabilizer still doesn't scratch the force the bushings and welds are designed to take. Age, water, salts are still going to be your concern.

 

[Dokatd]

If the stiffness was "engineered" and not intended to compensate, by definition that was taken into consideration and will not happen.

I also don't think any of the materials used are going to fatigue. Doubling the force on a stabilizer still doesn't scratch the force the bushings and welds are designed to take. Age, water, salts are still going to be your concern.

Have you ever owned a Dodge Ram or really any 3/4 to 1 ton truck? All engineered and all of them fall to pieces in the front end. I ran a small fleet of Rams and they all needed major rebuild of the front ends after 20-30k miles.

Stop hiding behind the “it’s engineered to perfection line” because it’s not. It’s compromised to “acceptable” standards.

 

[TCMColorado]

Optimal engineering withstanding, the forces exerted by the wheels/tires into the steering system, via their interaction with road and trail surfaces, will greatly exceed the forces resulting from the "stiff" OEM steering damper making loading from this component an inconsequential part of fatigue cycling. Yes changing the damper might improve subjective steering feel but it is unlikely to improve durability or reliability.

 

[255/85]

My bigger concern regarding the stabilizer was the amount of force needed to compress the OEM unit and the amount of wear and tear that is going to put on our front ends over time.

If there is going to be any real long term strain it will show in the steering box. The resistance supplied by the stabilizer is all focused on the tie rod ball joints but those are a wear item anyway (and quite large).

Have you ever owned a Dodge Ram or really any 3/4 to 1 ton truck? All engineered and all of them fall to pieces in the front end. I ran a small fleet of Rams and they all needed major rebuild of the front ends after 20-30k miles.

My Dodge Ram 4X4 with a Cummins and 225K+ miles on the odo is 100% original. I've never so much as changed a rod end. I've adjusted the steering box exactly once. Maybe i got lucky.

 

[Zimm]

Have you ever owned a Dodge Ram or really any 3/4 to 1 ton truck? All engineered and all of them fall to pieces in the front end. I ran a small fleet of Rams and they all needed major rebuild of the front ends after 20-30k miles.

Stop hiding behind the “it’s engineered to perfection line” because it’s not. It’s compromised to “acceptable” standards.

Where did I do that, and wtf does dodge have to do with it? No, I've never purchased a dodge truck for the fleet as their rep for being a shit chassis precedes it, but, all of our trucks have been Fords (E and F 150 to 550) and Mercs with an odd few GM in the Astro van days (nice tool box for parking garages in town), and I don't recall any major issues with front ends. I also don't think the dampener in the Doges had any affect whatsoever on whatever it was you experienced, which would be a parallel as to what we're discussing. .

 

[Tazzieman]

My Dodge Ram 4X4 with a Cummins and 225K+ miles on the odo is 100% original. I've never so much as changed a rod end.

If the rubber boot on the ball joint keeps the grease in and moisture/grit out it will last a very long time.
Problem is , offroading is hard on rubber anything.

 

[Tom109]

… just seems like a solution looking for a problem.

 

[Michael_in_Baja]

If the stiffness was "engineered" and not intended to compensate, by definition that was taken into consideration and will not happen.

I also don't think any of the materials used are going to fatigue. Doubling the force on a stabilizer still doesn't scratch the force the bushings and welds are designed to take. Age, water, salts are still going to be your concern.

I was referring to the steering box, power steering pump, hydraulic system and drag link. The OEM stabilizer looks and acts like it was designed for something off a two and a half ton truck and bigger. Lightening it up is a win-win.

In fluid dynamics, Bernoulli's principle states that an increase in the speed of a fluid occurs simultaneously with a decrease in pressure. Decreasing pressure (resistance) increases effiency.

My first 1,000 miles in the Grenadier was quite satisfying. Initially the steering was a problem that did not need a solution. When considering the bigger picture I changed my opinion. If this is a problem that doesn't need a solution for you, perfect.

 

[Dokatd]

If there is going to be any real long term strain it will show in the steering box. The resistance supplied by the stabilizer is all focused on the tie rod ball joints but those are a wear item anyway (and quite large).



My Dodge Ram 4X4 with a Cummins and 225K+ miles on the odo is 100% original. I've never so much as changed a rod end. I've adjusted the steering box exactly once. Maybe i got lucky.

Assuming maybe a 12V? It’s the later 2000’s 4x4’s that tended to fall apart. Still my choice for towing though.