I have to agree with el d m. on this. Steering stabilizer bars go up and down and are tied to the front suspension assembly usually with a plate under the springs and the frame. If it has 2" of play other than up or down, you got a serious problem unless you got disconnects. The connecting rod for your steering moves left and right with the steering wheel and moves the tires for steering. It is actuated by the steering wheel down thru steering shaft to the the steering box and a pitman arm. The play could be from any of these three items. The steering box could have wear not so obvious as its internal. The steering shaft has two joints in it that may wear out or break. The connecting rod has two ends, tie rods, that can be replaced fairly easily. Again if you have 2" of play here, you have serious problems and I wouldnt be driving it at all. If what your talking about looks like a shock absorber, thats also called a steering stabilizer and absorbes the bumps and bounces from the road that makes keeping a straight track harder. This is less dangerous if it has 2" of play but will definately make your steering squirrelly especially at high speed. Check for broken parts on both ends of it and replace if necessary. Good luck with it and be careful driving your ride around with that much play in anything on the front end. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/notooth.gif" alt="" />