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Topic: Steering damper for E450 (Read 579 times) previous topic - next topic
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Steering damper for E450
Steering dampers have been discussed many  times in the past but I wish to review.  Has anyone added the Safe T Plus?  Any comments?  How would it compare with the Bilstien or the Roadmaster units? 
I seem to recall from years ago that the Safe T Plus needs constant adjustments.  Is that true or am I confusing it with something else? 
Thanks, Mike
2007 RK
Re: Steering damper for E450
Reply #1 –
I've had a Safe-T-Plus on my 2003 since early in the rig's life; the unit works as designed, but does need "centering" adjustments from time to time, particularly after an alignment, a front tire rotation, or any distance over rough, cracked, potholed, uneven pavement, which, unfortunately, is the condition of many of California's roads.

However, the primary drawback of the Safe-T-Plus is that the bracket is proprietary; it replaces the OEM Ford bracket. Once the Safe-T-Plus bracket is welded in place (mine is welded, not bolted) one has a permanent relationship with the unit . If I had known this when I had it installed, I would not have done it. The proprietary bracket does not allow connection to a Bilstein or Roadmaster steering damper (or any other steering damper, as far as I know).
If I had it to do over, I would replace the OEM Ford steering damper with the Bilstein. (I have not looked at the specs for the Roadmaster unit; it may be an equally efficient unit.)

I suggest carefully evaluating the current installation specs of the Safe-T-Plus before deciding.

As always, YMMV.
2003 TK has a new home
Re: Steering damper for E450
Reply #2 –
Quote from: Mike Lewis  - 
Steering dampers have been discussed many  times in the past but I wish to review.  Has anyone added the Safe T Plus?  Any comments?  How would it compare with the Bilstien or the Roadmaster units? 
I seem to recall from years ago that the Safe T Plus needs constant adjustments.  Is that true or am I confusing it with something else? 

Do you want a steering stabilizer or a steering centering device?
Safe T Plus, Roadmaster, and similar devices, center the steering, something a vehicle should already do if the suspension and steering are in good condition and aligned correctly.
Steering stabilizers, such as the Bilstein replacement, are stock on the E450s and act as shock absorbers and smooth the steering, reducing kickback when hitting a pothole.

The E450 has very powerful steering, IMO, a stock type stabilizer is all that's needed. The Factory engineers agree,
When the stock stabilizer wears out, around 40-60,000 miles, it can be replaced with another stock unit or upgraded to a better stabilizer. Bilstein is a well-known stabilizer, a stronger and long-lasting version.

Joan's Safe T Plus has needed adjustment several times, two or three times in my driveway.  When out of adjustment, the vehicle will pull to one side, the exact opposite of what the device was supposed to eliminate.
With 185,000 miles of owning and driving LDs, I have never seen a need for a centering device. YMMV
Our LD has a Bilstein stabilizer.
Amazon.com: Bilstein 24-174534 B8 5100 Steering Damper Front B8 5100...

Larry
As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: Steering damper for E450
Reply #3 –
My rig has made enough visits to the above-mentioned driveway, to the point that my dog feels duty-bound to "protect" the place by trying to run off Wades' mail carrier.   ;)
2003 TK has a new home
 
Re: Steering damper for E450
Reply #4 –
Thanks to Larry and Joan for their knowledge.  I have decided to go with the Bilsteiin stabilizer.  I did replace the original Ford part about 5 years ago.  Since the steering is bothering me I will try the Bilstein.  Now for my problem:  what is the correct part #???  I believe it is Model 24-174534 series 5100.  However the Amazon listing does not include the E450, just the E350.  Other google searches did list the above Model 24-174534.  Can anyone confirm? 
Also curious if Koni makes a stabilizer for the E450?  I could not find anything on google.
Happy new year, Mike
2007 RK
Re: Steering damper for E450
Reply #7 –
Quote from: Mike Lewis  - 
Thanks to Larry and Joan for their knowledge.  I have decided to go with the Bilsteiin stabilizer.  I did replace the original Ford part about 5 years ago.  Since the steering is bothering me I will try the Bilstein.  Now for my problem:  what is the correct part #???  I believe it is Model 24-174534 series 5100.  However the Amazon listing does not include the E450, just the E350.  Other google searches did list the above Model 24-174534.  Can anyone confirm? 
Also curious if Koni makes a stabilizer for the E450?  I could not find anything on google.
Happy new year, Mike

Rock Auto's site, my go-to auto parts reference site , shows the Bilstein 24-174534 as correct for a 2007 E450.

Beside the damper, has the rest of the front been checked for worn parts and proper alignment?
As the suspension wears and settles, the front end will drop, this changes the toe-in. The caster setting is important too, caster in the 6-degree range has been found to help steady and center the steering.
With a selection of various alignment bushings, an alignment shop can set the caster and camber to specs, as well as adjusting the toe-in. Our first alignment made a big difference in the steering.
If the ball joints have been changed, the caster may have changed too.

A proper alignment is the place to start if handling or steering isn't up to standards, after all the suspension and steering parts have been inspected.

The steering stabilizer can be check by disconnecting the end connected to the drag link and by pushing and pulling the rod, it should have good, even resistance to moving either way, without any pops, skips, loose or dead spots. Any of these are good reasons for replacement.

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: Steering damper for E450
Reply #8 –
Stupid question here- is there only one stabilizer, or two?
Greg & Victoria
2017 Mid-Bath  “Nocona” towing a manual 2015 Forester
Previously a 1985 TK
SKP #61264
Re: Steering damper for E450
Reply #9 –
Larry writes: A proper alignment is the place to start if handling or steering isn't up to standards, after all the suspension and steering parts have been inspected.


No one knows less about suspension and steering than I do.

We burned through several front tires in the first few years. I had it aligned several times.
Then we went to Bear Automotive in Grand Junction. They were suggested as they worked on RV's.
The guy took me out to the rack and tried his best to explain to me what the problem was. I nodded my head as though I understood. I do remember this. 1) There is a plastic part that Ford adds to make the chassis drivable as they have no idea how much weight is going to be on the chassis after modification. 2) This part should be replaced before alignment and caster setting.

It must have worked as we did not chew up the edges of the tires anymore.

Perhaps someone who does understand how tie rods, king pins, etc. work and knows about this mysterious part that Ford puts on as temporary can explain this?

I wonder if this part leads to the hard to steer issue some people report and have cured by having a few thousand dollars of equipment installed?

I know that the owner of that famous Oregon alignment store refused to even talk about the subject to me.

I think the owner's manual advises to have the LD aligned after a few hundred miles. Perhaps that is when the mystery part should be removed by a knowledgeable tech.



Don & Dorothy
Sold our LD in June of 2023

Our boring always non-PC travel blog
Traveling Dorothy
Re: Steering damper for E450
Reply #11 –
Can a steering damper be used with a steer-safe unit?
Re: Steering damper for E450
Reply #12 –
"Can a steering damper be used with a steer-safe unit?"
---
Are you using the term "steer-safe unit" as a generic to refer to any/all steering stabilizers, or specifically to a Steer-Safe?

SteerSafe.com

You might want to check the website of the Steer-Safe unit, the website for the Safe-T-Plus (Safe T Plus Steering Control / RV & Truck Steering Stabilizer), and the websites for the Bilstein, Roadmaster, and other "steering dampers/stabilizers" to make direct comparisons among all the products.

YMMV, as always.
2003 TK has a new home
Re: Steering damper for E450
Reply #13 –
We had alignment problems and had a local alignment shop do the work for us in Indio CA. It still was wrong, pulling to the left rather than driving straight. He said that was the best he could do.

Last year when we got to Oregon we went to Les Schwab in Wilsonville and had the alignment done correctly. All done in a couple of hours.  They know what they are doing and reasonably priced!
2016 MB "Idyll Daze"
Re: Steering damper for E450
Reply #14 –
So no one else knows about the mystery part that needs to be removed to set caster?
Don & Dorothy
Sold our LD in June of 2023

Our boring always non-PC travel blog
Traveling Dorothy
Re: Steering damper for E450
Reply #16 –
Quote from: Don Malpas  - 
So no one else knows about the mystery part that needs to be removed to set caster?
Nope, never read or heard about such a thing. Nothing on the SMB, iRV2, Ford truck, or Ford RV forums. But who knows? Maybe the stock non-adjustable bushing was misidentified as the "mystery part".

Charles
Harvest Hosts + Boondockers Welcome #23975
Escapees SKP #138195
2007 23.5' Twin King