Steering Stabilizers

A steering stabilizer functions in similar way as a shock absorber in that it controls any unwanted movement from the steering mechanism on certain on road and off road vehicles. A steering stabilizer is most often used in high performance and or custom applications. They can be a standard factory item on certain high performance motorcycles. For example, Suzuki GSXRs will come from the factory already having a steering stabilizer installed on them.

A steering stabilizer adds more control from unwanted movements of the steering mechanism and is considered a suspension component. On motorcycles, the steering stabilizer is connected at some point to the frame on one end it and to the front end on the other end. On a four wheel vehicles they are attached to the axel and front tie rod that connects to your steering suspension components.

Any off road performance vehicle will need a suspension upgrade that includes a steering stabilizer to improve the performance and safety of the vehicle. Almost any vehicle that has over sized tires will need them to dampen steering wheel shimmy. A steering stabilizer will prevent the steering wheel from being jerked out of your hands when you are driving over rough terrain.

A steering stabilizer can help prolong the life of tires and can perform as safety feature of the vehicle if there is ever a blow out. Adding after market stabilizers helps to improve the suspension performance, ride and control of your vehicle. However, generally there is really no need to add an aftermarket stabilizer to a vehicle that comes from the factory with one because they are adequate, unless you are looking for a custom application or higher quality.

A steering stabilizer allows controlled movement versus free movement between the steering components. A steering stabilizer stiffens your steering so that you do not get free play and wobble and your wheel direction does not deviate from the direction of travel. In essence, you have more stability on rough roads and your suspension is protected from premature wear when you have a steering stabilizer.

A steering stabilizer is necessary if you are going to be towing a payload also. Because of the added weight of towing a travel trailer or boat for instance, your steering system will act differently. If you add a steering stabilizer to your tow vehicle you will be much safer on the road and be better protected against towing accidents.

For tow vehicles, there are four types of stabilizers. These include: coil springs, gas springs, coil-hydraulics and regular hydraulic. With a coil spring stabilizer, the coil spring is pushed together when you turn. As you let go of the steering wheel, it will spring back into place. With a coil hydraulic steering stabilizer, there is a piston in the center of the spring. It acts like a shock absorber does in your car’s suspension. Hydraulic coil spring steering stabilizers are found on most heavy-duty construction machines like bulldozers, forklifts and cranes.

A gas spring steering stabilizer is the newest type of steering stabilizer on the market and it is a cylinder like device that looks and acts like a syringe. These can be found on many types of vehicles including aircraft. The hydraulic stabilizer receives its steering stability strictly from hydraulics. It works like a coil-hydraulic steering stabilizer only it does not have the coil spring. Instead, it uses a hydraulic piston to dampen action in the steering wheel.

Adding a steering stabilizer to recreational vehicles, trucks or tow vehicles is something that is voluntary as they are not required to be added by law. However, because of the added security and better steering however, many drivers purchase them and have them installed.