Cannondaleriders

Just got my "new" 02' Blaze and noticed a lot more play in the sttering than my 03' Speed. Is it due to the steering stabilizer, or because it's an older bike?

BTW when I say "new", I mean new to me it was Blaze#52's old bike.

It's probably the wobbly-worn-out tie rod ends?

Could be I haven't gotten to look the bike over really well yet, it's still at my in-laws where I had it shipped. Once I get it home I'll give it a thorough once over. Just curious though cuz I've never dealt w/a steering stabilizer before.

Stabilizer is probably fine, and fully adjustable -- you will like it, but also has it's own tie-rod 2/ends, and could wobble there also.

Depending on what you mean as "play". If the bars move slightly back and forth and the wheels do not move, then the play could not just be the steering damper, as it is not part of the steering link. It only acts as a shock absorber to the existing steering system. But, if the wheels move and the play is felt as resistance then it's possibly the damper. Remember you could have two problems.

I just bought a blaze that is the same way, it is more than likely the stering stem bushing, most quads have a bearing but cdale used a replaceable rubber/plastic bushing, contact cdaleparts or haydug they are about $12. look down the stem and see where it is loose at when you turn the bars. Could also be the tie rods don't forget to look them over well also.

Tie rods. Next time I invest in some better ones. I have like 20 of them lying around. I had the original 4, add 4 for the ATK, 4 for the new front end I got, 4 for the spindles/tie rods I got for the Dale, and another 4 I bought a couple months back. They're everywhere but most of them were thrown in in deals so no big purchase.

Cannondales have bearings on the lower stem pivot just like all the other quads. The do however have a rubber upper bushings but so do all the other quads.
I would say that it is the tie rod ends. I have however had several of the Ohlins stabilizers break the pin where the arm meets the stabilizer shaft and cause a loose feel. You will need to take the stabilizer off and look under it to see if the pin is sheared.