Steering Braces

TankerZak · Post by **TankerZak** » Tue Oct 24, 2017 12:37 am

Anyone have any thoughts on steering braces on the market? Worth it? Prevent failure and steering issues?

Rodeoflyer · Post by **Rodeoflyer** » Tue Oct 24, 2017 10:08 am

I'll let people that have used them before respond but be advised, only one will work with the smartbar in the way...the single side mount DOR brand and from what I've heard they are a bit lacking in QC.

rkgzx9leftcoast · Post by **rkgzx9leftcoast** » Tue Oct 24, 2017 10:47 am

Yeah, I have the DOR brace, I think it is the only one that works without any extra fab work with the smart bar. The fitment for me was ok, seems like the bolts that hold the bearing are a little cocked? But it fit non the less.

I think they work in theory, at least they seem to add more support to the steering shaft. It wasnt a night and day difference in steering feel for me...but as mods go for the price I think its well worth the price.....

I have a 2016 with 37`s so I figured it couldnt hurt.

Easttnrhino · Post by **Easttnrhino** » Tue Oct 24, 2017 12:13 pm

I put the DOR on also more preventive , since I know how hard it is on box if front axle is locked. Mine fit good very pleased. Trucks got 35 but wish I had went on to 37.

TankerZak · Post by **TankerZak** » Tue Oct 24, 2017 3:01 pm

How hard was the install? Just a bolt on kinda deal?

YouTube · Post by **OffroadTreks** » Tue Oct 24, 2017 4:04 pm

rkgzx9leftcoast wrote: ↑
Tue Oct 24, 2017 10:47 am
Yeah, I have the DOR brace, I think it is the only one that works without any extra fab work with the smart bar. The fitment for me was ok, seems like the bolts that hold the bearing are a little cocked? But it fit non the less.

I think they work in theory, at least they seem to add more support to the steering shaft. It wasnt a night and day difference in steering feel for me...but as mods go for the price I think its well worth the price.....

I have a 2016 with 37`s so I figured it couldnt hurt.

I had the problem were we had to drill out the bolt holes on the DOR unit as they were shaped like D's and not circles.

Easttnrhino · Post by **Easttnrhino** » Tue Oct 24, 2017 7:59 pm

Mine bolted right on took a minute to fit around sway bar unlock it and it went well after that.

YouTube · Post by **OffroadTreks** » Tue Oct 24, 2017 8:15 pm

Should be noted, for anyone who views this in the future, there may be compatibility issues with these and aftermarket bumpers. Depending on how much protection your bumper offers. Mine had to be notched to allow for the DOR brace.

Reloaderguy · Post by **Reloaderguy** » Tue Oct 24, 2017 9:50 pm

Buy a Thuren sway bar and you can use any brand brace you want.

TankerZak · Post by **TankerZak** » Tue Oct 24, 2017 11:31 pm

I'm honestly trying not to change too much because of the 7 year warranty i have. I'm just trying to armor up so to speak. 35s, DamageWagon's skid plate, white knuckle sliders, purple cranium diff covers, boogie bump stops. Things like that. Few other things like tonneau and airbags in daystar craddles, etc., for functionality.

Colibri · Post by **Colibri** » Tue Oct 24, 2017 11:58 pm

Dor is not the only game in town for smartbar compatible steering gear braces. DT profab makes a double sided brace that is notched to fit around the swaybar actuator. I used one for several years until I went with a torsion bar, it's a quality piece that makes a noticeable difference in steering feel (at least for 3rd gens)

TankerZak · Post by **TankerZak** » Wed Oct 25, 2017 12:18 am

I went ahead and ordered the DOR brace. The single side and frame flex explanation made sense in my brain. Thanks for the input guys!

Reloaderguy · Post by **Reloaderguy** » Wed Oct 25, 2017 11:11 am

I have a DOR brace and the quality is just fine. It went in without any issues and the finish perfect almost two years later.

YouTube · Post by **OffroadTreks** » Wed Oct 25, 2017 11:21 am

It does make a noticeable difference. Felt that right away. Pretty impressed.

Vee · Post by **Vee** » Wed Oct 25, 2017 5:43 pm

I put a DOR brace on my 07. No fitment issues, and a huge improvement in steering feel.

Rodeoflyer · Post by **Rodeoflyer** » Wed Oct 25, 2017 6:41 pm

HUGE improvement? Like King shocks are a million times better?

I'm getting a steering brace asap.

Vee · Post by **Vee** » Wed Oct 25, 2017 7:19 pm

Well, it was huge in my mind. It cured the steering clunk for a while. Besides, huge is relative... shoulda seen these huge halibut I caught a couple years ago...

Rodeoflyer · Post by **Rodeoflyer** » Wed Oct 25, 2017 9:34 pm

Yeah just joking. However I'm still waiting on my king shocks to be a million times better and am a little bitter about it.

YouTube · Post by **OffroadTreks** » Wed Oct 25, 2017 9:42 pm

Rodeoflyer wrote: ↑
Wed Oct 25, 2017 9:34 pm
Yeah just joking. However I'm still waiting on my king shocks to be a million times better and am a little bitter about it.

Yeah... but didn't you buy 2.0's ??

TankerZak · Post by **TankerZak** » Wed Oct 25, 2017 9:43 pm

I'm really just doing this as preventative. Keep the steering supported when front lockers are in use, etc. Not expecting any change in feel but if it removes some wiggle that'd be great.

YouTube · Post by **OffroadTreks** » Wed Oct 25, 2017 9:45 pm

I feel like it tightened it up a bit and removed the wiggle. Still, it's not a Corvette or Camaro. But it doesn't feel like a 1980's Econoline van anymore.

Rodeoflyer · Post by **Rodeoflyer** » Wed Oct 25, 2017 10:05 pm

MikeKey wrote: ↑
Wed Oct 25, 2017 9:42 pm

Rodeoflyer wrote: ↑
Wed Oct 25, 2017 9:34 pm
Yeah just joking. However I'm still waiting on my king shocks to be a million times better and am a little bitter about it.
Yeah... but didn't you buy 2.0's ??

The 2.0+5 models...2.5's. I'd estimate they are 5 times better

ghaugo · Post by **ghaugo** » Fri Oct 27, 2017 4:59 pm

I haven't noticed any "slop"in my steering or suspension yet, but mine only has 21,000 miles on it. That being said, without needing anything right now, would this be the first suspension/front end upgrade to add? I have been reading about all of the other problems including ball joints, track bars, etc. I wanted to know what if anything I should be saving up to replace and when I will need it.

If DOR is the primary company that provides this part, do they do a good job on their other parts? Track bars, control arms, etc.?

I felt like I should drive my truck for a while prior to replacing parts that are currently working. However, I would like to continue with some preventative measures if I need to do so. Thanks.

TankerZak · Post by **TankerZak** » Fri Oct 27, 2017 11:30 pm

This isn't a replacement. It's just a support for your steering box but really only if you are wheeling hard and using the front locker do you need it. I'm trying to be very minimalist, and keep my 7 year warranty. But from an 'armor up' perspective this seemed like a good idea. Ymmv.

adeluca73 · Post by **adeluca73** » Fri Nov 03, 2017 1:02 am

It was a bit of a pain getting everything lined up...I had to completely drop my swaybar to get it to seat all the way. Quality was fine, no issues. I did not notice a huge improvement. My truck was about 18mo old when i installed it, maybe the steering linkage hadn’t loosened up enough to notice.

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