Steering Stabilizer - What fits/is good?

[jsimpson]

Gabriel, $37 from Pep Boys - no problems, works great. My front end shop recommended Gabriel over Monroe for steering stabilizers. Gabriel and Monroe make over 90% of the shocks and stabilizers that are sold under other brand names anyway. But I DID go with Bilstein shocks; they don't make a stabilizer for my truck or I would have used one!

 

[Pit Bull]

Originally posted by jsimpson

Gabriel, $37 from Pep Boys - no problems, works great. My front end shop recommended Gabriel over Monroe for steering stabilizers. Gabriel and Monroe make over 90% of the shocks and stabilizers that are sold under other brand names anyway

J

Doesn't Monroe own Gabriel? Not saying that the Gabriels are not made with different spec's, just thought Monroe owned them. Was the Gabriel a direct bolt on and what year truck are you talking about? Mines a 2000??? could it be different?

 

[WOT]

Just finished installing my SkyJacker (on 2000).



From what I understand, it looks like Dodge changed the diameter of the mounting stud around 99 or so.



The SkyJacker manual specifically says to re-use the existing stud. Of course this means grinding the stamped metal holding on the washer that holds the shock on. Then I had to weld it back on after pressing on the new bushing/shock.

 

[jsimpson]

No, Monroe doesn't own Gabriel an d Gabriel doesn't oen Monroe. They are like GM and Ford - competitors. And like GM and Ford, they build a lot of stuff under a lot of brands. Mine's a 94. But if you ask for a stabilizer (they may have it cataloged as a steering shock or a steering damper) for a 2000, they'll get you what you need.

 

[Shelby Griggs]

The RS5404 DOES NOT fit 2000 and newer

I just ran out of 36K warranty, so just prior to that happening, the dealer had ordered a new RH side tie rod, the joint was loose and it was replaced because of my complaint of wandering. Anyway, since they were going to have to remove the tie rod end of the stabilizer anyway, and this can be a bit stubborn, I went to Les Schwab and bought a Rancho 5404 for the dealer to install instead of OEM. The tech at the dealer got aggressive removing the OEM stabilizer, before he realized that the 5404 stud DOES NOT work. Went back to Schwab to ask them what they were going to do about it. What they did was sell me an OEM one at discount and took the Rancho back. I believe because of this incident and some calls they made, they will no longer sell the 5404 for use on 2000 and newer Dodges. Why Rancho won't step up to the plate and take care of the customer is still an unanswered question. They specifically list the 5404 for the Ram. So, anyway, I got a brand new OEM stabilizer. To be quite honest the workmanship looks better on the OEM than the Rancho I had for a few hours. The dealer tech did tell me that they don't like to remove the stabilizer without having a replacement in stock, too much chance of destroying the stud on the OEM one.



For you guys that are using the RS5404, how did you attach to the tie rod?



This has soured me on Rancho permanently, shocks will definitely be something other than Ranchos when the time comes, probably Bilsteins.



Shelby

 

[jsimpson]

I've got Bilsteins on my Tundra and my RAM. They're going on my 70 big block Vette next!

 

[Texas Diesel]

Use . 001 or . 0005 inch shim stock to make the Rancho stud fit.

Two weeks after install and my shiny new Rancho is leaking oil , so after fixing the sloppy fit I get to see if they give me a hard time about replacing it.

 

[jsimpson]

3000 miles and a hard trip to kentucky and back carrying my lance a pulling a horse trailer, and my $37 Gabriel complete with perfect-fitting new stud from Pep Boys is doing just fine!

 

[Texas Diesel]

Yep I was correct, 4 wheel parts IS giving me a bad time about replacing it. Wont buy from them anymore.

 

[CAM]

Just got talk'in to the parts dept. @ Dodge, $94 for theres and they have to order it ,i think i'll wait for a while longer.



Mike

 

[45A1]

has anyone tried pro-comp's stabilizer??

 

[Shooter]

Pro Comp does not fit either. 4 wheel is takeing it back as catalog is incorrect.

Their listing is for 1/2, 3/4,1 ton. They called pro comp and they did not include foot note in catalogue NOT FOR DIESELS#@$%! #@$%!

 

[jsimpson]

Like I said before: Gabriel $37 at Pep Boys. Fits fine, works great. Gabriel and Monroe make them for almost all the others anyway (including most of the ones with fancy colored boots!) Think about it; it's a pretty good racket to get into. Get a brightly colored boot made in Haiti to stick on a shock made by Gabriel or Monroe for you, add a sticker and triple the price! Ah, to be young, bold, and reckless again!