Cellular Dynamic steering dampers - worth it?

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MikeV8SE

MikeV8SE

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I'm gonna replace the steering damper on my RRC, as the one on there is probably original and almost certainly knackered.

The stock ones are seriously cheap - like £8, rising to a mighty £16. However, there's a Cellular Dynamic one available for about £25 which claims to be a lot better because its full of foam and oil, rather than gas and oil: Steering Damper Britpart Cellular Dynamic DC6005 Island 4x4 - Specialists in Land Rover and Range Rover Parts and accessories for all models. UK and worldwide mail order.

What do you reckon to them? Are they worth the extra?

cellular_dynamic_strut_web.jpg


They claim:

This Britpart Cellular Dynamic steering damper fits the following models:-

Range Rover Classic
Discovery 1
Series models
The Britpart Cellular Dynamic Shock Absorber represents a significant advance in Land Rover suspension systems. It features a cellular foam insert instead of a normal nitrogen gas or air, this is to stop the oil from boiling. The foam takes up less room which means more room for oil, 50% more, which offers maximum heat dispersion. This heat dispersion translates to a very subtle but controlled ride that will not fade no matter how hard you push them. They are ideal for a driver who needs more control to complement performance improvements or to enhance a standard vehicle. The unique design ensures ride comfort and cornering ability is maximised and of course they are superb off-road.
Cellular technology tube
Sintered 18mm rod
Reinforced welded mounts
Polyurethane bush
Single piece eye ring
Heavy-duty powder coating
Click to expand...


Any experience of them?

Cheers!
 
there is a big difference between pattern cheap parts ,and oe ,genuine ,branded etc parts they sell,the cellular dynamic are very good
 
rustyrhinos said:
Each to their own but personally I would not trsut anything Britpart with something that is supposed to keep oil in.
Click to expand...

They do have a bad reputation. I ordered a starter motor the other day, my heart actually sank when it turned up in a Britpart box. BUT...it did start the car better than the broken one we took off! ;)

jamesmartin said:
there is a big difference between pattern cheap parts ,and oe ,genuine ,branded etc parts they sell,the cellular dynamic are very good
Click to expand...

Have you tried them James? Do they make a difference?
 
yes ive fitted them ,britpart is a wholesaler biggest of 3 that are widely used ,they have bad rep because big retailers fight for trade with low prices they as with others supply that ****, but any genuine or oe part is still likely to come through them too ,they are very good for oil shocks if good ride wanted personally i like gas as make firmer ride,fitted alot of them to p38s no complaints over the years
 
So you'd stick with a gas/oil steering damper James? I just want to sharpen up the steering a bit, less wheel wobble when you hit bumps in the road, etc!
 
cellular damper for steering, should be good ,imo better than gas ones,in theroy you shouldnt need one if steering parts bushes etc are good incuding swivels and especially tyres,but in reality a good damper is a necessity
 
I've replaced the steering dampers on the P38 and the Classic, both with standard OE and had no issues. As has been said if the rest of the suspension is up to standard most steering dampers will be up to job.

I would imagine the only time a steering damper (of any make) would be an issue, would be if it was faulty.
 
Steering dampers because they are double acting (same resistance in both directions) are not gas filled, and are unlikely to boil the oil as a shocker would on very uneven roads. They simply don't work hard enough to do that. If you want a proper job doing invest in the Land Rover one.
 
jamesmartin said:
seem to be alot of people sell them ,and they also extend when you cut the tape like gas shockers
Click to expand...

Yes i am sure the shockers do, but the steering dampers should not. They should be neutral and damp equaly in both directions. True double acting dampers. Shockers give very little resistance on the down stroke but damp on the rebound to stop bounce. Typical in round figures is around 25% on compressoin, 75% on rebound balance for a fairly stiff double acting shocker as fitted to the P38. Gas shocks give slightly more compression resistance because of the gas pressure in them.

PS James i would be really worried if a steering damper expanded in one direction. That would give it a bias which is not really what you want in a steering damper.
 
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wammers said:
Personally i would go for the Genuine Land Rover one at £56.00 +vat don't be a cheap skate.:D:D:D
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I reckon the Celullar Dynamics one will do a better job, personally! The Land Rover one will be the same design from 20-odd years ago - this one is going to be fairly current technology and materials, and will be better suited to use out in Morocco I reckon!
 
MikeV8SE said:
I reckon the Celullar Dynamics one will do a better job, personally! The Land Rover one will be the same design from 20-odd years ago - this one is going to be fairly current technology and materials, and will be better suited to use out in Morocco I reckon!
Click to expand...


OK please thi sen as they say in good old Yorkshire. Still think the proper one, although more expansive would be better. Advice given and ignored.
 
wammers said:
OK please thi sen as they say in good old Yorkshire. Still think the proper one, although more expansive would be better. Advice given and ignored.
Click to expand...

OK...but why do you think the LR product would be better? It will be the same spec as the Monroe and, possibly, the Britpart one shown up that page! The only reason it is 5 times the prices is because it has a Land Rover sticker on it...unless you know different??
 
MikeV8SE said:
OK...but why do you think the LR product would be better? It will be the same spec as the Monroe and, possibly, the Britpart one shown up that page! The only reason it is 5 times the prices is because it has a Land Rover sticker on it...unless you know different??
Click to expand...

You may or may not have a point. Reason i say this is because about eighteen months ago i changed my drag link and steering damper for cheaper aftermarket ones as you are doing with damper. The drag link N/S TRE was worn so i changed the damper as a precaution at the same time. Although to be honest the old damper was not bad when removed with good resistance and not leaking. That had been on car since new as far as i knew. Now after eighteen months drag link has failed and damper is leaking. I now have a genuine Land rover drag link and damper ready to go on before MOT at end of month. I would to be honest rather pay £56.00 + vat every ten years rather than £24.00 + vat every eighteen months. The genuine damper from Rimmers is £85.60 incl vat. So £56.00 + vat for same thing from Island is a snip. Up to you mate.
 
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