Steering damper

Submitted: Wednesday, Jul 14, 2004 at 16:47

ThreadID: 14657 Views:2046 Replies:3 FollowUps:5

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Austravel

Hi,

Can anyone tell me what purpose the steering damper has.

Thanks

Reply By: Andrew - Wednesday, Jul 14, 2004 at 17:05

Wednesday, Jul 14, 2004 at 17:05

It dampens the kickback and vibration caused by the wheels being pushed off line when they hit lumpy bits in the road. If it wasn't there you would get a lot more vibration at the steering wheel. It also helps cut the vibration caused by slightly out of balance wheels cuased by mud pickup etc.

regards

A

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AnswerID: 67764

Follow Up By: Roachie (SA) - Wednesday, Jul 14, 2004 at 17:23

Wednesday, Jul 14, 2004 at 17:23

Andrew's very much on the money...

The only other thing I'd say is that without one, your vehicle (assuming it's a largish 4x4) will be just about uncontrollable in certain circumstances.
I've replaced my factory one with a Return To Centre spring assisted type from "4 ways" (see: www.toughdog.com.au) and it improves the truck considerably.

FollowupID: 328434

Follow Up By: V8troopie - Thursday, Jul 15, 2004 at 01:07

Thursday, Jul 15, 2004 at 01:07

I had the standard Toyota damper break at the eye attachment while driving. Luckily I was going quite slow on a quiet suburban street but even so, the troopy jumped all over the lane until I managed to pull over and check what happened. Had to drive to the 4WD shop at 20kmh max to keep the steering under control.
I hate to see what would have happened if it had broken while doing 100 on the freeway.
Klaus

FollowupID: 328530

Reply By: Member - Rick (S.A.) - Wednesday, Jul 14, 2004 at 21:56

Wednesday, Jul 14, 2004 at 21:56

easy way to find out: disconnect it & go for a drive on a rough track, ot potholey rd at moderate speed.

I also have a 4way Return to Center damper,that I fitted in about 20 mins. It took a bit of shimmy out (the old unit had done only 40 K km, and was working OK). But the neat thing was that it corrected a mild tendency to steer to the left. I am a staified user - it is/was worth every penny.

Good luck

AnswerID: 67829

Follow Up By: Brian - Sunday, Jul 18, 2004 at 13:59

Sunday, Jul 18, 2004 at 13:59

Rick Went to by a Return to centre damper and was told that they are very noisy( A clunk) as it returns to centre. Do you experience this?

Brian

FollowupID: 328867

Follow Up By: Member - Rick (S.A.) - Sunday, Jul 18, 2004 at 20:36

Sunday, Jul 18, 2004 at 20:36

Brian

They may be noisy if you are lying under the vehicle. next tothe RTC damper, and ALL other noise is oblitereted - road, tyres, wind, engine, transmission, rad.fans, etc. This may be hard to acheive while mobile.

In other words, no they are not noisy - never heard mine do anything.

Why would I ?

What's to clunk?

Cheers

FollowupID: 328915