Today, I finally got around to replacing the dual BDS steering stabilizer (or is it stabiliser?) with a single Old Man Emu with relocation bracket. This puts the steering stabilizer up out of the way, and lightens up the load on the steering pump.
I found the dual BDS unit to want to pull the Jeep left, and after some research discovered this seems to be a common issue with the gas filled ‘shock’. I had a few folks recommend OME and also suggest a single – so that’s what I went with. Decent price and easy install (although I had a shop do it, they had it done in about 30 minutes).
Only a few miles have been added since it was installed, but so far the steering is much nicer – it’s a much lighter touch and I’m not fighting a pull to the left. The current down-side to this so far, is my steering wheel is off-center. Anyone know how to fix this? I think there is a way you can ‘program’ the Jeep to a center point.
You can buy the parts from Amazon by clicking on the images below:
(steering stabiliser)
(relocation bracket)
Update: After a few miles with the new steering stabiliser installed, and the steering wheel still off center, I had my traction control indicator come on and stay on:
After a bit of research, I’ve discovered that the Jeep computer thinks I’m in a skid or there is controller failure and that’s why this stays lit. The solution is to bring the steering wheel back to center. For some reason, I figured there was an electronic way this was to be done, but again, a bit of research proved this wrong and it’s a simple matter of adjusting the drag link to move the steering wheel back to center. You need a deep socket 15mm ratchet and some patience as there is some adjusting, testing and re-adjusting necessary.
Although not my video, I’d recommend you have a look at the video below – it explains this in detail and helped out quite a bit.
As an FYI, because this code was triggered on my Jeep, I did need to disconnect the batter for a couple of minutes to reset the system. After that, steering wheel is back centered, and my traction control is functioning properly once again.
