Installing a Steering Stabilizer

Keep it between the ditches - install a Steering Stabilizer

Why:
I have always vibration problems with my Jeep, and my steering seemed sloppy, so after much procrastination, I decided to do something about it. After much shopping, I ended up ordering the Procomp ES2000 steering stabilizer from Carparts.com.

What exactly is a Steering Stabilizer?:
The concept of a steering stabilizer (or dampener) is pretty simple, it's just a shock absorber for your steering system. One end is mounted to a fixed point (like the axle)
and the other end is connected to your tie rod. When you drive, the wheels will move left and right, and if your ride's like mine, they'll vibrate too. The steering stabilizer simple absorbs some of the shock, and gives your steering a move tight feel.

The install:
This is a pretty simple upgrade, simply unbolt and remove the existing steering stabilizer, then install the new one using the included hardware. The new stabilizer didn't mount the same way as the old one, one end linked the the axle, and the other to the tie rod (the original mounted to the tie rod on one end, and to a special mount point on the other).

The verdict:
I am pretty pleased with the overall outcome. My steering seems more sure and my Jeep has a little less wander to it. Although this has not "cured" my vibration and wandering problems (a few things are left to do, such as wheel bearings) it has definitely improved the ride. One thing I did not like about the Procomp stabilizer is that there is no boot included, no big deal, but it's just one more thing you have to buy.

Price: 52.67