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#426446 - 06/12/05 10:09 PM
Bilstein Steering Stabilizer
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Member
Registered: 12/11/02
Posts: 1198
Loc: Tucson, AZ
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OK, here are the steering stabilizer (from AC) pics. Thanks to Shmittey over at XF for his great pics which helped me allot! The instructions have allot to be desired! You’ll notice the shock isn’t parallel to the center link as it’s supposed to be but as you see in the second picture that is so the L-Bracket with the U-Bolts can clear the sway bar bracket. The second picture is with the wheel cut all the way right. I checked it with the steering full right and full left both on the stands and on the test drive and it feels good and no binding whatsoever!
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Asking stupid questions is much easier than correcting dumb mistakes.
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#426447 - 06/12/05 10:27 PM
Re: Bilstein Steering Stabilizer
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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dude...what do you have done on the insides of your stabilizer bar?
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#426448 - 06/12/05 10:33 PM
Re: Bilstein Steering Stabilizer
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Member
Registered: 12/11/02
Posts: 1198
Loc: Tucson, AZ
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I'm not sure what you're looking at. In the second pic down to the left is the idler arm brace. Is this what you are referring to???
EDIT: Maybe you are looking at the grommets sticking out on the inside of the sway bar brackets! If so, they look funny in the pic but otherwise normal!
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Asking stupid questions is much easier than correcting dumb mistakes.
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#426449 - 07/12/05 10:43 AM
Re: Bilstein Steering Stabilizer
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Member
Registered: 06/08/02
Posts: 205
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What exactly does this do?? Where did you purchase it??
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#426450 - 07/12/05 11:46 AM
Re: Bilstein Steering Stabilizer
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Member
Registered: 12/11/02
Posts: 1198
Loc: Tucson, AZ
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It dampens out road bumps, wind surges on the highway, and things like that. It just slows down the steering response to any jerks in the steering. It gives you a tighter feel to the steering. Very nice actually! The X seems to have pretty responsive steering and it helps out with that. 4x4parts.com I purchased this one but you can buy just the stabilizer without the idler arm brace. Steering Enhancement Package
_________________________
Asking stupid questions is much easier than correcting dumb mistakes.
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#426451 - 07/12/05 04:48 PM
Re: Bilstein Steering Stabilizer
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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Originally posted by dezurtrat: It dampens out road bumps, wind surges on the highway, and things like that. It just slows down the steering response to any jerks in the steering.
It gives you a tighter feel to the steering. Very nice actually! The X seems to have pretty responsive steering and it helps out with that.
4x4parts.com
I purchased this one but you can buy just the stabilizer without the idler arm brace.
Steering Enhancement Package Got the same setup myself, not life changing but an improvement. I like the feel of it, seems to smooth things out. Big difference on the highway with high winds.
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#426453 - 28/12/05 02:36 PM
Re: Bilstein Steering Stabilizer
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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This post help convince me to get the stabilzer for my X. It was one of my "X"mas gifts from my wife.
Can't wait to install it.
Rob
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#426454 - 28/12/05 03:23 PM
Re: Bilstein Steering Stabilizer
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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Congrats, you will like it
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#426456 - 01/01/06 05:03 PM
Re: Bilstein Steering Stabilizer
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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Is this a install that I can do in my driveway with hand tools ? It looks like a nice unit ,Thanks
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#426457 - 01/01/06 06:59 PM
Re: Bilstein Steering Stabilizer
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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Originally posted by winterules: Is this a install that I can do in my driveway with hand tools ? It looks like a nice unit ,Thanks Yep, very easy to do and takes only around 1/2 hour or so depending on how rust welded your bolts are. EDIT: you have an 06, they dont make one for your setup yet
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#426458 - 02/01/06 04:11 AM
Re: Bilstein Steering Stabilizer
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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Thanks Shmittey I did not realize it was not for my 06 I guess I'll have to wait
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#426460 - 04/01/06 08:51 PM
Re: Bilstein Steering Stabilizer
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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After I put the shocks on the X I decided that I might as well put the steering stabilizer on too.
This thing went up so easy! The only problem that I had was a defective ubolt. Snapped the damn thing off as I snugged the nut. (Now that sounds really painful) Got a new ubolt at Lowe's and all is well.
This makes such an improvement to the feel of the steering. As I drove to see my new daughter at the hospital it felt like a totally different truck, a more confident feel to the steering. I highly recommend this to anyone out there.
Just glad I read the great posts about this. Thanks guys.
Rob
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#426462 - 05/01/06 08:33 AM
Re: Bilstein Steering Stabilizer
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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Are those 32 inch tires your running now? Just wondering because all I have ever read on this forum is that a steering stabilizer does'nt serve any purpose with tires smaller than 32's. Hence the reason factory 00-04 X's don't come with them. It looks sweet though, good job.
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#426463 - 05/01/06 08:53 AM
Re: Bilstein Steering Stabilizer
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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I have stock 265/70/16s and it made a difference.
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#426464 - 05/01/06 03:41 PM
Re: Bilstein Steering Stabilizer
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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i want to get bilsteins all around plus the steering stabilzer. My question is, do you guys recomend getting the idler arm brace? becuase it is 30$ cheaper without it. Im not going to do any serious offroading are tires larger than 31's so i dotn think i need to worry about breaking anything. Any input?
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#426465 - 05/01/06 03:49 PM
Re: Bilstein Steering Stabilizer
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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I got the steering brace along with the steering stabilizer kit from AC. While it serves the purpose, it is pretty ghetto if you ask me (2 pieces of angle iron welded up with a couple holes drilled in it.) Had I known how it was made I would have bought a different one. But I would definitely get a steering brace from somewhere, the steering is one of the weakest links in the X and $30 bucks is a pretty cheap way to help it last.
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#426466 - 05/01/06 06:20 PM
Re: Bilstein Steering Stabilizer
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Member
Registered: 12/11/02
Posts: 1198
Loc: Tucson, AZ
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Originally posted by Shmittey: I have stock 265/70/16s and it made a difference. Same here!!!!
_________________________
Asking stupid questions is much easier than correcting dumb mistakes.
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#426467 - 05/01/06 09:09 PM
Re: Bilstein Steering Stabilizer
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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I have 265/70/16 BFG's also. And I too will add that it made a difference. I have the Calmini idler arm brace which when I did comparisons looked to be better engineered in my opinion. Laser cut, bent, welded, and a beautiful blue color to boot! The brace is a reinforcement and if you really want to see why to get the brace, just pull the idler arm off of the post and see how much isn't there supporting that arm. All it really takes to bend/snap that arm is catching a tire in just the right freak situation. Rob
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#426470 - 14/01/06 04:55 PM
Re: Bilstein Steering Stabilizer
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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I am pretty happy with it, tell you the truth I don't remember what it was like before I put it on. Highway driving is much better, less squirly with winds, potholes and big rigs. I am not fighting to keep it in the lane anymore.
Edit: I assume you are talking about the steering stablizer and not the IA brace, right?
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#426472 - 14/01/06 05:38 PM
Re: Bilstein Steering Stabilizer
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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Yes, the steering stabilizer makes a difference in smoothing out the steering. Less wobble when hitting objects or wind gusts.
As far as the IA brace, there is no difference in feel, but security about IA failure.
Rob
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#426473 - 15/01/06 04:07 AM
Re: Bilstein Steering Stabilizer
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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Originally posted by BlueSky42: Yes, the stablilizer. Is it correct that Bilstein and Calmini each make the steering stab system, and that the IA brace is an option for both? It is actualy produced by AC and SLR , AC has the option of Bilstein or a Rancho shock, SLR uses a Doetsch Tech shock. I like the setup of the AC better than SLR for the reason that it is easier (from what I could see in pics) to clear the oil filter and you dont have to mess with an A/C line. As far as what shock to pick, personal preference would come into play(rancho is cheaper). You dont have to install an IA brace if you dont want to they are pretty unrelated, though I think everyone would reccomend getting it at some point.
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#426474 - 15/01/06 06:34 AM
Re: Bilstein Steering Stabilizer
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Member
Registered: 18/08/00
Posts: 368
Loc: Brooklyn, New Yawk
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Did the Bilstein stabilizer / Calmini idler arm brace mods a while back. Both are worthwhile IMO. If you take a close look at the IA and realize how much force can be applied to that one pivot bolt, The idler arm brace mod is a no brainer. It's something that Nissan should have considered in the original design. Cheap insurance considering where you will probably be stuck if you are wheeling on terrain that can apply enough force to snap the bolt.
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#426475 - 15/01/06 07:14 AM
Re: Bilstein Steering Stabilizer
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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I got the Rancho unit from A/C and can't wait to get it on. (weather delays) In the mean time I've taken off the skid plate and am hitting the bolts w/ PB Blaster. I'll also be writing a "How to" article w/ pics for the NEXterra boards. A test run on the bolts told me they are really on there. I borrowed a BIG breaker bar (19mm socket) from a friend so I can get some torque on it when I do the install. I'll post when it's done. Barry
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#426476 - 15/01/06 08:14 AM
Re: Bilstein Steering Stabilizer
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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IMPACT! I live in AZ and bolts don't tend to get as stuck here, especially on a newer truck, but I did hit the bolts with an impact wrench.
This mod is simple to do and you'll definitely enjoy the results. It will only take about 20 minutes to get it all done.
Rob
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#426477 - 17/01/06 06:41 PM
Re: Bilstein Steering Stabilizer
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Member
Registered: 23/10/00
Posts: 964
Loc: Nacogdoches, TX
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Sounds like a pretty good mod. Anyone done this with the Calmini Steering System? Or would it be a little overkill? I'm planning on getting the Calmini steering system before Moab and would like to do it all at once if I get the stabilizer.
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Jonathan Former Owner of 2003 SE/SC 4x4
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#426478 - 18/01/06 02:52 AM
Re: Bilstein Steering Stabilizer
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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As far as I know AC is the only one that makes one that will fit calmini centerlinks, we have a member running it on his fronty with no problems. SLR does not offer that option. Just specify and they give you a different bracket.
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#426479 - 18/01/06 07:16 AM
Re: Bilstein Steering Stabilizer
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Member
Registered: 17/08/00
Posts: 2286
Loc: Georgia
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Originally posted by Shmittey: I am pretty happy with it, tell you the truth I don't remember what it was like before I put it on. Highway driving is much better, less squirly with winds, potholes and big rigs. I am not fighting to keep it in the lane anymore.
Edit: I assume you are talking about the steering stablizer and not the IA brace, right? OK, last night I was driving in heavy rain and hit a huge puddle. Sounds like this thing would dampen that "yank the wheel out of your hands" effect. Has anybody with the steering stab system had that experience? Also, what is the effect on normal steering (corners, lane change, etc.)?
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#426480 - 21/01/06 09:59 AM
Re: Bilstein Steering Stabilizer
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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Originally posted by BlueSky42: OK, last night I was driving in heavy rain and hit a huge puddle. Sounds like this thing would dampen that "yank the wheel out of your hands" effect. Has anybody with the steering stab system had that experience?
Also, what is the effect on normal steering (corners, lane change, etc.)? Have not hit any high speed puddles with it on, but I would assume that you would still feel that to some point as you are actualy hydroplaning. Normal steering is still normal, though it tightens it up a bit. No difference in cornering etc. Just helps with the sudden "oh shit" kind of things.
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#426481 - 21/01/06 02:50 PM
Re: Bilstein Steering Stabilizer
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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Originally posted by PoorBoy: Sounds like a pretty good mod. Anyone done this with the Calmini Steering System? Or would it be a little overkill? I'm planning on getting the Calmini steering system before Moab and would like to do it all at once if I get the stabilizer. good luck trying to get calmini's system, they've been on backorder and still are. my steering is gone so i was in dying need to fix my x. called slr on tuesday and got there system. ups says it should be here monday.
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#426482 - 22/01/06 11:06 AM
Re: Bilstein Steering Stabilizer
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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Reference my previous post on this topic. I finished the install on the Rancho unit from A/C last night. So far, I'm very pleased with the results. I was test driving it in high winds on a winding road and it did make a difference as far as the "mushy" feel. I took several pics and will be finishing up a "how to" shortly to be posted on the NEXterra board. Let me know if there is an interest on this board as well. Barry
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#426483 - 26/01/06 09:41 PM
Re: Bilstein Steering Stabilizer
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Member
Registered: 12/11/02
Posts: 1198
Loc: Tucson, AZ
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Originally posted by Shmittey: Originally posted by BlueSky42: [b]OK, last night I was driving in heavy rain and hit a huge puddle. Sounds like this thing would dampen that "yank the wheel out of your hands" effect. Has anybody with the steering stab system had that experience?
Also, what is the effect on normal steering (corners, lane change, etc.)? Have not hit any high speed puddles with it on, but I would assume that you would still feel that to some point as you are actualy hydroplaning.
Normal steering is still normal, though it tightens it up a bit. No difference in cornering etc. Just helps with the sudden "oh shit" kind of things.[/b]Yes, exactly. It definitely firms up the steering. I was coming back from a trip recently and noticed a definite improvement when you get a burst of air from those semis on the highway!
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Asking stupid questions is much easier than correcting dumb mistakes.
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