Aftermarket steering stabilizer and Diff Covers coming in contact. Preventing full left turns.

[tysongladiator]

Some of you may or may not experience this issue. But just in case anybody is considering these aftermarket parts or a setup similar, here's something you should know and what you may have to do.

I have a Falcon adjustable thru shaft steering stabilizer and Yukon diff covers. On left turn, the stabilizer shaft was coming in contact with the diff cover preventing m from making a full left turn. I had a few solutions on how to solve this issue, but rather than spend a lot of money, the DIYer in me found a way to fix it.

Hope this helps someone or at least gives them an idea of what aftermarket manufacturers to consider when looking for a stabilizer and/or aftermarket diff covers.

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[JeepOfTheseus]

Considering the absolute massive aftermarket spectrum for Jeeps, I've been quite underwhelmed by the steering upgrade options - particularly as it pertains to clearance/fitment issues (especially the stabilizer).

For starters, there seems to be very few (I only know of one) companies offering a truly full package. I went with Core 4x4 initially for this reason as they have a kit that includes: front/rear track bars, drag link, tie rod, front/rear end links, front/rear upper/lower control arms. All made by them. Unfortunately that's basically the only nice thing about it. Both track bars' jam nuts come into contact with the frame mounting brackets, the front track bar is a completely different geometry than stock, the front passenger end link requires bending the axle bracket to fit, and a combination of the tie rod, drag link, and track bar results in more or less impossibly being able to fit a stabilizer (I've tried Fox IFP and TS).

My goal then was to find alternatives, and to my surprise (or not really) I could only find one tie rod (Apex Chassis) that has mounting holes in the passenger knuckle joint to re-use the stock stabilizer bracket (to get me back to stock positioning and not worry about this crap again). Unfortunately, Apex only makes a front track bar and (afaik) does not offer a rear one. I went with Clayton for the track bars and it seems promising - the front has identical geometry as stock and fits perfectly; I expect the rear will be the same.

Back to Core 4x4, admittedly the front UCA fit pretty well, but the jam nut on the driver side was very hard to torque down properly (it seems to be holding, but I wish I could go tighter). I can only hope the rest of the control arms go on as easily (although I know they didn't leave a spot for the brackets you find on the front lowers).

I get that modifying is always "at your own risk/ymmv", but it amazes me how particularly bad steering related stuff seems to be.

 

[tysongladiator]

Considering the absolute massive aftermarket spectrum for Jeeps, I've been quite underwhelmed by the steering upgrade options - particularly as it pertains to clearance/fitment issues (especially the stabilizer).

For starters, there seems to be very few (I only know of one) companies offering a truly full package. I went with Core 4x4 initially for this reason as they have a kit that includes: front/rear track bars, drag link, tie rod, front/rear end links, front/rear upper/lower control arms. All made by them. Unfortunately that's basically the only nice thing about it. Both track bars' jam nuts come into contact with the frame mounting brackets, the front track bar is a completely different geometry than stock, the front passenger end link requires bending the axle bracket to fit, and a combination of the tie rod, drag link, and track bar results in more or less impossibly being able to fit a stabilizer (I've tried Fox IFP and TS).

My goal then was to find alternatives, and to my surprise (or not really) I could only find one tie rod (Apex Chassis) that has mounting holes in the passenger knuckle joint to re-use the stock stabilizer bracket (to get me back to stock positioning and not worry about this crap again). Unfortunately, Apex only makes a front track bar and (afaik) does not offer a rear one. I went with Clayton for the track bars and it seems promising - the front has identical geometry as stock and fits perfectly; I expect the rear will be the same.

Back to Core 4x4, admittedly the front UCA fit pretty well, but the jam nut on the driver side was very hard to torque down properly (it seems to be holding, but I wish I could go tighter). I can only hope the rest of the control arms go on as easily (although I know they didn't leave a spot for the brackets you find on the front lowers).

I get that modifying is always "at your own risk/ymmv", but it amazes me how particularly bad steering related stuff seems to be.

Yea. I have to agree. When I first got my Jeep (June 2019), there were pretty much zero aftermarket options. It's come a long way in four years. Having said that, (like you), it still amazes me how often we all have to alter, modify, or find other means to get steering components to work well with suspension and axle components.

I understand that not all companies do testing with other companies to ensure everything works with others, but some issues should have been corrected. Most of the issues that we all run into most likely has had to be corrected by someone else as well.

 

[Hootbro]

I run the same stabilizer. I know they included a spacer for the other end eyelet attachment that allows you to situate the bracket either on top or bottom depending on if you are running Teraflex's heavy duty trackbar. You play with that any to see if it changes the hitting issue? I run Teraflex diff covers but mount lip is just as thick as your Yukon covers and would expect it to hit the same if it was a design issue.

 

[tysongladiator]

I run the same stabilizer. I know they included a spacer for the other end eyelet attachment that allows you to situate the bracket either on top or bottom depending on if you are running Teraflex's heavy duty trackbar. You play with that any to see if it changes the hitting issue? I run Teraflex diff covers but mount lip is just as thick as your Yukon covers and would expect it to hit the same if it was a design issue.

Actually Falcon has two of those stabilizers. The one that mounts to the stock location (which I have) and the other model that mounts to the tie rod. You have the Tie rod model.

I just think that since it mounts to the stock location, that stabilizer wasn't meant to adapt to other parts. At the time I bought it, it worked out perfect with the stock stuff. But just like everything else, you can't just upgrade one component without having to upgrade other components. And besides, they're over $400 and out of stock everywhere.

Definitely a design issue. Lol

 

[dmwphoto]

I bought the non adjustable shaft thru one of these after seeing this very issue in a youtube video. It does look like a design flaw. The adjuster makes the shaft too long.

 

[Hootbro]

Actually Falcon has two of those stabilizers. The one that mounts to the stock location (which I have) and the other model that mounts to the tie rod. You have the Tie rod model.

I doubled checked mine and I have what @dmwphoto mentioned of the non adjustable one. So I do not have the adjustable end like you shown. Never put it together that would have hit like that.

 

[JeepOfTheseus]

Another example: turns out the mount on the Apex tie rod is slightly too far driver and the stabilizer compresses too early.

 

[tysongladiator]

I doubled checked mine and I have what @dmwphoto mentioned of the non adjustable one. So I do not have the adjustable end like you shown. Never put it together that would have hit like that.

It's only because of the Yukon diff covers. I've had that stabilizer since July 2021 and never had issues. But the thin metal that the factory diff cover is made of gave me no problems. When I had the thicker and stronger Yukon covers put on, that was the problem. But, I rock crawl so changing out the diff covers wasn't an option.

The stabilizer is designed to mount in the stock location which places it right next to the axle. Best option is that if a person is going to install aftermarket diff covers, tie rods, drag links, track bars, etc., they should go with the tie rod mount stabilizer. But most places are out of stock and the prices have risen from less than $300 to over $400.

But, the adjustable knob does add about another 3/4" so that plays a part as well. It's a jeep so if you replace one part, you end up having to replace other parts as well. Hahaha!

 

[tysongladiator]

Another example: turns out the mount on the Apex tie rod is slightly too far driver and the stabilizer compresses too early.

Question? So is it preventing you from going full lock?

 

[JeepOfTheseus]

Question? So is it preventing you from going full lock?

It’s not. The shock compresses and then transfers movement to the bracket on the axle. That’s what the video is showing.

 

[mx5red]

That.. doesn’t sound ideal

 

[tysongladiator]

It’s not. The shock compresses and then transfers movement to the bracket on the axle. That’s what the video is showing.

Ahhhh.... Gotcha!

 

[tysongladiator]

Let me clear this up a little bit for everyone. The stabilizer coming in contact isn't a design flaw on the Falcon stabilizer. I've had that stabilizer since July 2021. It has worked perfect until now. It's because that particular stabilizer mounts to the stock location and is designed to work with mostly stock suspension and steering parts. Just like everything else on these vehicles, once you start upgrading one thing you have to upgrade other things. So once I started upgrading other components like the diff cover, tie rod, drag link, etc., that part should have been changed as well. It was an overlook on my part.

Falcon manufactures two different types of Fast adjust stabilizers. Stock mount and tie rod mount. I have the stock mount. The easiest and better fix would have been for me to get the tie rod mount. There would have been no issues. But, the prices increased with demand from when I initially got mine. From less than $300 to over $400. And then it's getting harder to find distributors with them in stock. So, I decided to get mine to work instead. For now!

There is nothing wrong with the stabilizer nor is it a design flaw. It is working exactly like it's supposed to. I created this post so that if someone were using the stock mount stabilizer and they started upgraded steering and axle components, this is one of the issues they may face. Actually if I would have went with the non-adjustable thru shaft, that would have worked as well because it has a shorter rod. I'll upgrade to the other stabilizer mount once I break this one on the trail. I'll let the rocks have it. Hahaha!!!???

 

[tysongladiator]

It’s not. The shock compresses and then transfers movement to the bracket on the axle. That’s what the video is showing.

Actually mine moves just like yours, but the fast adjust stabilizer has a longer shaft than their non adjustable. In addition to that, it's designed to work with stock suspension and steering.

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