American Expedition Vehicles AEV-Nth JK Suspension Systems User Manual
Page 9
IJKS0100R (JK RHD Suspensions).doc
Released: 12-Jan-10
page 9 of 14
11-1
Step 12: Install New Steering Damper. Your kit may include either a yellow (OME) damper or a brushed
steel (Bilstein) damper. Either damper is a top-quality part, but how they mount to the new axle bracket
differs. In either case, start by loosening the steering damper mount bracket on the tie rod and slide it
toward the driver’s side several inches (out of the way for now), then follow the appropriate paragraph
below.
OME Damper: Figure 12-1 (above) shows the attachment arrangement for the OME damper.
Note that this does not use the hardware kit that was included with the damper – the hardware is located
in your HighSteer hardware pack along with the bracket bolts you’ve already used. To attach the OME
damper to the new axle bracket, place one washer on the supplied 5/8” bolt and pass it through the eye
bushing that does not have the inner metal tube (i.e. the ‘fat end’ of the damper), then add another
washer and the non-locking nut. Tighten the nut by hand (no impact tools) until the washers both touch
the bushing, then go another 1/8”. Now insert the remaining length of the bolt’s threads into the open
hole between the new and old track bar bolts. Add the locking nut on the back side and tighten. NOTE:
you should turn the locking nut while holding the bolt stationary – if you do otherwise, the non-locking nut
may overcompress the bushing and possibly become jammed on the end of the bolt threads.
12-1
12-2
Bilstein
Damper: The Bilstein damper has the same bushing-with-inner-metal on both ends and
can be mounted in either orientation. Due to the bonded-in inner metal, you must use the supplied ½”x3”
bolt and nuts to attach it to the axle bracket by means similar to the OME damper: Insert the bolt through
the damper’s bushing, then add a washer and non-locking nut and tighten just to snug. Then add
another washer and put the remaining threads of the bolt through the damper hole (between the new and