Steering Braces
Steering Braces
Anyone have any thoughts on steering braces on the market? Worth it? Prevent failure and steering issues?
Last edited by TankerZak on Sun Nov 12, 2017 8:09 pm, edited 1 time in total.
2016 Granite Crystal Metallic Power Wagon Laramie, graphics delete, debadged, Thuren front and rear coils, Thuren rear swaybar links, Thuren front and rear trackbars, Traxada rear 1 inch spacers, King 3.0 (Stage 4) front and 2.5 (Stage 3) rear shocks, Boogie front bump stops, Cooper STT Pro 37x13.50R17 on XD Machette 17x9 +18 wheels, Centramatics, 5.13 gears, DOR steering brace, Thuren truss, Thuren King Steering Damper, Synergy Steering Kit, Thuren PW front bumper, Thuren rear bumper, White Knuckle rock sliders, Dethloff skid plate, Dethloff rear sway bar spacers, Purple Cranium Half Spider front and rear diff guards, Airlift 5000 Ultimate airbags with Daystar cradles, Bakflip Revolver X2 tonneau, Factor55 Ultrahook with 100ft 7/16 A.R.E. Spidersilk synthetic winch line, Zroadz Grill with slim 20 inch light bar, DDM Tuning LEDs/HIDs, Rigid Side Shooter ditch lights, KC rock lights, Rigid fog lights, Baja Designs rear lights, Magnaflow 19200 modified with upgraded resonator and after axle dump, tinted front windows 35%.
- Rodeoflyer
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Re: Steering Braces
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.
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Re: Steering Braces
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 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.
2016 Tradesman White, adding mods now, 37 Ridge Grapplers on Method Standards 17 x 8.5 x 5.75 BS, Thuren Overland front 1.5" Kit. SLT Grill, Mopar Steps. More Thuren stuff soon....
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Re: Steering Braces
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.
Enjoying beautiful east TN
Re: Steering Braces
How hard was the install? Just a bolt on kinda deal?
2016 Granite Crystal Metallic Power Wagon Laramie, graphics delete, debadged, Thuren front and rear coils, Thuren rear swaybar links, Thuren front and rear trackbars, Traxada rear 1 inch spacers, King 3.0 (Stage 4) front and 2.5 (Stage 3) rear shocks, Boogie front bump stops, Cooper STT Pro 37x13.50R17 on XD Machette 17x9 +18 wheels, Centramatics, 5.13 gears, DOR steering brace, Thuren truss, Thuren King Steering Damper, Synergy Steering Kit, Thuren PW front bumper, Thuren rear bumper, White Knuckle rock sliders, Dethloff skid plate, Dethloff rear sway bar spacers, Purple Cranium Half Spider front and rear diff guards, Airlift 5000 Ultimate airbags with Daystar cradles, Bakflip Revolver X2 tonneau, Factor55 Ultrahook with 100ft 7/16 A.R.E. Spidersilk synthetic winch line, Zroadz Grill with slim 20 inch light bar, DDM Tuning LEDs/HIDs, Rigid Side Shooter ditch lights, KC rock lights, Rigid fog lights, Baja Designs rear lights, Magnaflow 19200 modified with upgraded resonator and after axle dump, tinted front windows 35%.
- OffroadTreks
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Re: Steering Braces
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.rkgzx9leftcoast wrote: ↑Tue Oct 24, 2017 10:47 amYeah, 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.
2015 Power Wagon Laramie - "ROCKLANDER"
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Re: Steering Braces
Mine bolted right on took a minute to fit around sway bar unlock it and it went well after that.
Enjoying beautiful east TN
- OffroadTreks
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Re: Steering Braces
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.
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- Reloaderguy
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Re: Steering Braces
Buy a Thuren sway bar and you can use any brand brace you want.
Re: Steering Braces
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.
2016 Granite Crystal Metallic Power Wagon Laramie, graphics delete, debadged, Thuren front and rear coils, Thuren rear swaybar links, Thuren front and rear trackbars, Traxada rear 1 inch spacers, King 3.0 (Stage 4) front and 2.5 (Stage 3) rear shocks, Boogie front bump stops, Cooper STT Pro 37x13.50R17 on XD Machette 17x9 +18 wheels, Centramatics, 5.13 gears, DOR steering brace, Thuren truss, Thuren King Steering Damper, Synergy Steering Kit, Thuren PW front bumper, Thuren rear bumper, White Knuckle rock sliders, Dethloff skid plate, Dethloff rear sway bar spacers, Purple Cranium Half Spider front and rear diff guards, Airlift 5000 Ultimate airbags with Daystar cradles, Bakflip Revolver X2 tonneau, Factor55 Ultrahook with 100ft 7/16 A.R.E. Spidersilk synthetic winch line, Zroadz Grill with slim 20 inch light bar, DDM Tuning LEDs/HIDs, Rigid Side Shooter ditch lights, KC rock lights, Rigid fog lights, Baja Designs rear lights, Magnaflow 19200 modified with upgraded resonator and after axle dump, tinted front windows 35%.
Re: Steering Braces
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)
Central Texas and Houston area
2009 5.7 auto quadcab
Carli 3” coils deaver leafs 3” kings with 4 tube bypass rear and fr/rr hydro bumps
Howe steering pump and gear with hydraulic ram assist
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2009 5.7 auto quadcab
Carli 3” coils deaver leafs 3” kings with 4 tube bypass rear and fr/rr hydro bumps
Howe steering pump and gear with hydraulic ram assist
Custom tube bumpers and white knuckle sliders
Creative fab trussed axle. rem polished and cryoed 5.13 gears with arb lockers fr/rr
Sharadon stage 2 545rfe with 3000 stall edge converter
Lots of other stuff lol
Re: Steering Braces
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!
2016 Granite Crystal Metallic Power Wagon Laramie, graphics delete, debadged, Thuren front and rear coils, Thuren rear swaybar links, Thuren front and rear trackbars, Traxada rear 1 inch spacers, King 3.0 (Stage 4) front and 2.5 (Stage 3) rear shocks, Boogie front bump stops, Cooper STT Pro 37x13.50R17 on XD Machette 17x9 +18 wheels, Centramatics, 5.13 gears, DOR steering brace, Thuren truss, Thuren King Steering Damper, Synergy Steering Kit, Thuren PW front bumper, Thuren rear bumper, White Knuckle rock sliders, Dethloff skid plate, Dethloff rear sway bar spacers, Purple Cranium Half Spider front and rear diff guards, Airlift 5000 Ultimate airbags with Daystar cradles, Bakflip Revolver X2 tonneau, Factor55 Ultrahook with 100ft 7/16 A.R.E. Spidersilk synthetic winch line, Zroadz Grill with slim 20 inch light bar, DDM Tuning LEDs/HIDs, Rigid Side Shooter ditch lights, KC rock lights, Rigid fog lights, Baja Designs rear lights, Magnaflow 19200 modified with upgraded resonator and after axle dump, tinted front windows 35%.
- Reloaderguy
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Re: Steering Braces
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.
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Re: Steering Braces
It does make a noticeable difference. Felt that right away. Pretty impressed.
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- Vee
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Re: Steering Braces
I put a DOR brace on my 07. No fitment issues, and a huge improvement in steering feel.
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- Rodeoflyer
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Re: Steering Braces
HUGE improvement? Like King shocks are a million times better? I'm getting a steering brace asap.
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Re: Steering Braces
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...
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- Rodeoflyer
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Re: Steering Braces
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.
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Re: Steering Braces
Yeah... but didn't you buy 2.0's ??Rodeoflyer wrote: ↑Wed Oct 25, 2017 9:34 pmYeah just joking. However I'm still waiting on my king shocks to be a million times better and am a little bitter about it.
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Re: Steering Braces
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.
2016 Granite Crystal Metallic Power Wagon Laramie, graphics delete, debadged, Thuren front and rear coils, Thuren rear swaybar links, Thuren front and rear trackbars, Traxada rear 1 inch spacers, King 3.0 (Stage 4) front and 2.5 (Stage 3) rear shocks, Boogie front bump stops, Cooper STT Pro 37x13.50R17 on XD Machette 17x9 +18 wheels, Centramatics, 5.13 gears, DOR steering brace, Thuren truss, Thuren King Steering Damper, Synergy Steering Kit, Thuren PW front bumper, Thuren rear bumper, White Knuckle rock sliders, Dethloff skid plate, Dethloff rear sway bar spacers, Purple Cranium Half Spider front and rear diff guards, Airlift 5000 Ultimate airbags with Daystar cradles, Bakflip Revolver X2 tonneau, Factor55 Ultrahook with 100ft 7/16 A.R.E. Spidersilk synthetic winch line, Zroadz Grill with slim 20 inch light bar, DDM Tuning LEDs/HIDs, Rigid Side Shooter ditch lights, KC rock lights, Rigid fog lights, Baja Designs rear lights, Magnaflow 19200 modified with upgraded resonator and after axle dump, tinted front windows 35%.
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Re: Steering Braces
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.
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Re: Steering Braces
The 2.0+5 models...2.5's. I'd estimate they are 5 times betterMikeKey wrote: ↑Wed Oct 25, 2017 9:42 pmYeah... but didn't you buy 2.0's ??Rodeoflyer wrote: ↑Wed Oct 25, 2017 9:34 pmYeah just joking. However I'm still waiting on my king shocks to be a million times better and am a little bitter about it.
Re: Steering Braces
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.
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.
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Frame-welded Aluminess Rock Sliders, Kenda Klever RT (35/12.50R17), ARE Z-Series Topper, DeeZee Tailgate Assist, Husky X-act Contour Mats, Purple Cranium Diff Covers Front and Rear, Dodge Offroad Steering Brace, Thuren Track Bar, Thuren Short Arms, Thuren Fox 2.0 Remote Reservoir Shocks, Airlifter Ultimate 5000 airbags, Daystar Cradles, High Country Customs Bumper, Dynatrac ball joints, WWSP HD Towing Valve Body, PML Transmission pan, Thuren XD Swaybar Links, Thuren XS front coils, Abel Components Full Swaybar Bypass, All AMSOIL fluids from Code4Synthetics.com
Frame-welded Aluminess Rock Sliders, Kenda Klever RT (35/12.50R17), ARE Z-Series Topper, DeeZee Tailgate Assist, Husky X-act Contour Mats, Purple Cranium Diff Covers Front and Rear, Dodge Offroad Steering Brace, Thuren Track Bar, Thuren Short Arms, Thuren Fox 2.0 Remote Reservoir Shocks, Airlifter Ultimate 5000 airbags, Daystar Cradles, High Country Customs Bumper, Dynatrac ball joints, WWSP HD Towing Valve Body, PML Transmission pan, Thuren XD Swaybar Links, Thuren XS front coils, Abel Components Full Swaybar Bypass, All AMSOIL fluids from Code4Synthetics.com
Re: Steering Braces
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.
2016 Granite Crystal Metallic Power Wagon Laramie, graphics delete, debadged, Thuren front and rear coils, Thuren rear swaybar links, Thuren front and rear trackbars, Traxada rear 1 inch spacers, King 3.0 (Stage 4) front and 2.5 (Stage 3) rear shocks, Boogie front bump stops, Cooper STT Pro 37x13.50R17 on XD Machette 17x9 +18 wheels, Centramatics, 5.13 gears, DOR steering brace, Thuren truss, Thuren King Steering Damper, Synergy Steering Kit, Thuren PW front bumper, Thuren rear bumper, White Knuckle rock sliders, Dethloff skid plate, Dethloff rear sway bar spacers, Purple Cranium Half Spider front and rear diff guards, Airlift 5000 Ultimate airbags with Daystar cradles, Bakflip Revolver X2 tonneau, Factor55 Ultrahook with 100ft 7/16 A.R.E. Spidersilk synthetic winch line, Zroadz Grill with slim 20 inch light bar, DDM Tuning LEDs/HIDs, Rigid Side Shooter ditch lights, KC rock lights, Rigid fog lights, Baja Designs rear lights, Magnaflow 19200 modified with upgraded resonator and after axle dump, tinted front windows 35%.
- adeluca73
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Re: Steering Braces
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.