Hot Rods Steering Damper / Stabilizer Addition to Dropped Axle

Would like to hear from those of you who have added a steering damper /or stabilizer to your dropped axle car or truck (aftermarket universal or OEM). I'm considering one for my truck to manage a tiny bit of backlash in the box (new PS box). I'm also interested in mounting methods used given the space available and cosmetically what it ended up like. I see Pete and Jakes and others have some pretty small dampers that could be hidden pretty well. Pictures would be great.

Thanks,

- EM

 

https://www.borgeson.com/xcart/ Damper no stabilizer on mine, Vega box.

 

I have 4 deuces with a Borgeson Vega boxes and a 40 with a Borgeson 525 box, all straight axle cars and I have either a Pete&Jake's or So-Cal stabilizer on all 5. I think they make the steering a little steadier and helps eliminate that wiggly road sensitive feeling that some cars with cross steering have. I've used them for many years. Just my opinion.

 

Thanks guys. I appreciate the feedback. I've heard of some applications with them on the drag link but haven't seen any pictures of the setup.

- EM

 

Just do search, was talked about not too long ago..

 

look at the commercially available kits ,, then get on rock auto and look up a steering stabilizer for a vw bug .... and tell me the difference .... and a bicycle seat clamp ....
fabricator john
miss ya dad

 

My '57, stabilizer goes from axle to tierod.

 

I uesd a Fiero on my Willys coupe. Works good.

https://www.fierostore.com/Product/Detail.aspx?s=58026

35 bucks

 

We have seen your 32’s Gary but have we seen your 40?

 

I have a 32 Ford with dropped I beam, stock wishbone, and F-1 steering. My So-Cal stabilizer mounts to a small U bracket I made at the inside of the wishbone, and to a clamp on the tie rod. It's fairly hidden behind there. It did make a difference in the way the car followed roadway grooves.

 

All good feedback and appreciated. I'll check on some of the OEM options mentioned. I should have mentioned too that my axle is an early 60s design that never had or was intended to use a stabilizer but I see lots of opportunities for mounting. It looks like most of the stabilizers for early Fords mounted on the hairpin.

- EM

 

I added a So-Cal dampner to my old Sedan Deliv and it made a noticeable difference in how the car handled. Wouldn't run a straight axle car without one. You can barely see it, clamped to the lower 4 bar.

 

I’m using the unit off a v.w. bug

 

Didn't need one for many years,up to the time I put a set of front tires on,that I could not get replacements for or buy some others{super low on $}so had to find away. After messing around a lot to stop a wabble I'd never had before from one of the tires. I added a VW steering shock and it holds OK. Not sure if,when I do get a good set of front tires,if I'll keep the VW shock on or not. But not looking like new set is anywere close anyway.

 

I always use one on my hot rods. I mount from tie rod to the wishbone

 

I just ordered one for a VW that looks very similar to the one ct1932ford used. Thanks for the pictures. I had not seen one mounted to the frame. That sure creates a clean and simple set-up, especially for applications that don't run a 4 bar. I just need to mess around with the location for my stabilizer since my tie rod is pretty low and my headers don't allow a lot of space on the topside. This may be the reason why I've heard some applications run them on the drag link (although I personally haven't seen one).

- EM

 

^^^not frame mounted

 

Steering dampers very common on German cars from VW on up to Mercedes. They put them on for a reason. By adding a steering damper you can set the steering up with very low or no caster. This is bad for stability (allows wobble or shimmy) but it sharpens up the steering and makes turning the wheel easier. Beam axle front ends are a patsy for shimmy. A damper cures it and allows you to set it up with low caster for better handling.

 

You saw something I'm not able to see in the "fuzzy" pictures?

- EM

 

Greg
My pal Arden Enger had one on his 34 roadster, I did drive it on a few stretches of I-5 on a Pleasanton trip and it seemed ok, not sure how it was in all conditions but I'm sure it had to have helped.

 

Hey Doug:

It's good to hear from you. I hope all is well. That's a beautiful 34' and one that I think I saw run a few times at the "Oldies but Goodies" @ Woodburn. Lucky you to get some time behind the wheel. I appreciate your input and feedback on the dampener issue. Take care!

- Greg

 

Yes you are correct Greg, the car saw quite a few trips down Woodburn Drag Strip, his son Jeff also was a regular there with his deuce Vicky.
Jeff has the roadster now.

 

On my 3 hairpin cars the damper hooks to the drag link and lower hairpin arm. On my pu with split bones and side steering it goes from the tie rod to the wishbone and on my 40 it's hooked onto the axle and tie rod. All seem to work good.

 

Well........maybe I am the stick in the spokes.....but I see no reason for these. I have put together quite a few straight axle hot rods with no damper/stabilizer ever. I always make sure the front end components are high quality, and geometry is correct. Have put thousands of highway miles on them and never experienced wobble or any other issue. My opinion is that if you use one of these to "fix" a front end issue, you are only covering up something basically wrong or worn out parts.

 

What do you have for front suspension? Usually the shock can go between the axle and tie rod; shouldn't end up any lower (or higher for that matter) than the tie rod. I think many hook it to the wishbone or four bar so the axle mounting don't show; of course if you have a tube or original I-beam the mount can be easily welded to the back.

 

Mine is a Dodge OEM dropped axle with additional drop. Yes, usually the shock does fit between the tie rod and axle and that is the initial plan with my setup. The off-set that I mentioned is due to the clamp-on dampener mounts as shown below which is what I'm considering for simplicity. But, I'll weld on the pieces to get things centered and fitting better if I can't get what I want with the clamp arrangement.

- EM.

 

Man I love mine from so-cal! Just order one from them for $45 you will not be disappointed.

 

Would that be the big-block deuce-Vicky? If so, I love that car. - EM

 

I think if you put one on you would like it. When I built my sedan I used all the good stuff and everything is built and set up correctly. They groove the roads in my part of the country and the car would track on the milled grooves, it wasn't squirrelly by any means just a small weird shimmy. After I put the dampener on all that went away. At $45 from so-cal it was well worth it.

 

On rockauto you can get one for a vw made by Gabriel for under 25 bucks.

They have cheaper models too.

Gabriel 14004