While wheeling this weekend I broke of the damper that goes on the tire to tire cross member. What purpose does the damper serve and do I need the damper?

 

You are going to have to post some pics of this one. I have never seen a tire to tire steering damper. Unless you are referring to the tie rod, and in that case, YES you need it.

Nevermind I reread the op and see that you stated "on" the tire to tire crossmember, which is called a tie rod.

 

the steering damper keeps the wheel from pulling out or your hand under rough terrain its not 100% needed but it sure makes wheeling and driving on crap roads more comfortable its also called steering stabilizer shock

 

X2. And if your tires are much bigger than stock I recommend you replace it asap. JMO

 

Is there another way of mounting this steering stabilizer? The shock connects right along with the gear covers. The mount just keeps sheering the bolts right off. A good thing is that even with two bolts out of the cover no gear oil leaks. So any help would be good thanks a lot.

 

I have a lot of extras. Just want to find a way to mount them so they will stay on.

 

Now you really need to post some pics. If the steering stabilizer is hitting the differential cover then you have some damaged steering components. Something is bent really bad.

 

It isnt hitting it. It mounts using the same bolts as the cover.

 

Nothing should be bolted to the differential cover. Either you are not explaining the parts correctly or there are some butchered modifications to your vehicle. I think some pics would certainly help in correctly diagnosing the issues at hand.

 

I will post them tomorrow evening when I get off work. I will message you Winston when they are up.

 

http://rustysoffroad.com/mm5/merchan...egory_Code=ste
There is a link to how it is supposed to look mounted up. See the mount on the diff covers.

 

I have never seen that set up, and do not know why anyone would bolt the steering stabilizer to the diff cover. That's a new one on me. Thanks for the link, that explains what I was not understanding.

 

Sounds like the shock is reaching its travel limits before the steering is fully turned. Or the bolts holding it to the diff cover are not of a high enough grade to withstand the stress. I would imagine stock diff cover bolts are not very strong as they are not made to have things pulling/pushing/bending them.

 

Me either! Doesn't look like it would work very well either. Do you have a Stabilizer shock in the stock mounting position? If so that's all you should really "need". You can get a nice new one and you should be alright. If you really feel you need that set up in the link above I think your problem is going to keep reoccurring, because the bolts that thread into the diff are not large/strong enough to support the forces of that shock.

 

i'm with G P on this one.

no reason it shouldn't work if installed properly.
as long as you have the stock setup installed with it.

you'll have to remove the mount on the tie rod and find the center of the stroke on the stabilizer shock, then remount with the steering at center.

then cycle it through each turn to see if it compresses and extends without limiting.

and replace those mounting bolts through the diff cover with stronger socket head bolts.