Steering Dampers & Stabilizers

Shock absorbers dampen the up-and-down movement of the suspension and wheels to maintain tire contact and prevent a harsh ride. Steering dampers, also known as steering stabilizers, are like shocks for your steering system, absorbing side-to-side movement to ensure smooth and predictable steering performance. Just as the damping capability of shocks degrades over time, steering dampers & stabilizers can wear out and become ineffective. If you’re experiencing noise, loose steering feel, and steering wheel shake, we offer replacement steering dampers & stabilizers to restore steering feel and control.

Although not found on all vehicles, steering dampers & stabilizers are original equipment on many cars, trucks, and SUVs, because the manufacturer deemed that the design or intended use of the vehicle necessitated such components to provide satisfactory steering operation. Steering dampers & stabilizers prevent vibration, shimmy and bump steer, especially on heavy vehicles and/or ones fitted with large tires and driven over rough terrain or through hazardous road conditions like potholes, crosswinds, and passing tractor trailers.

Steering shimmy particularly affects large, heavy vehicles, especially when they have heavier than stock wheels and tires. This phenomenon can manifest itself in the dreaded “death wobble”, where the wheels oscillate uncontrollably after hitting a bump, making the driver fight the steering wheel to maintain vehicle control. Hitting a bump or hole can also cause “bump steer”, where the vehicle darts away from the desired line and steers in an unintended direction. A properly functioning steering damper/stabilizer is crucial to precluding such occurrences.

If any of the above symptoms are observed, the steering damper/stabilizer should be inspected. Check the damper body for evidence of physical damage like corrosion and dents from impacts, and check for signs of fluid leakage, which would be an obvious cause of poor damper performance. Check the mounts for damage and looseness, and check the bushings for cracks, dry rotting and disintegration, which could be the source of noise. When the damper is removed the shaft should have equal resistance when extended or compressed, and if the damper is worn the effort required will generally be less than would be necessary on a new damper. If replacement is required we offer steering dampers & stabilizers made to OE specs that will install and perform the same as OE, but at a much better price.

We have vehicle specific steering dampers & stabilizers for many cars, truck, and SUVs, but we also offer universal fit stabilizers, including ones especially designed for the unique requirements of Class A and Class C motorhomes. These stabilizers will bring the vehicle back to center if a front tire blows out, during heavy crosswinds and when semi-trucks are passing, and when encountering rutted roads, bumps and potholes. Such conditions can make driving a large vehicle like an RV fatiguing, but with our stabilizers you can stay relaxed, in control and be safer on the road. In addition to our steering dampers & stabilizers, we also offer a large selection of mounting brackets and bushings.