Changing the steering damper

Hi all

I posted a while back about a funny steering wheel wobble, and I was advised it might be the steering damper. I ran it for the first time last night without the damper and the steering wobble went away.

Obviously, I don't want to run without it for off roading, or indeed on road for a lengthy period, but I have a 2" lift on my landy and a "pro-comp" steering damper on the rear steering bar (the longest one).

So, is this damper of standard size? Or is it generally replaced for an extended one when fitting the lift kit?

What should I buy as a replacement?

Cheers all

it doesnt need to be any longer than standard
if youve got bigger wheels maybe a HD one would be of use

The procomp should be fine, they're at least good enough.

Maybe the steering wobble is unrelated to the damper, have you got a dodgy track rod end?

Maybe the damper is causing the wobble for some reason?

Check all steering components thoroughly and test the damper for smooth operation!

Mr Noisy said:

The procomp should be fine, they're at least good enough.

Maybe the steering wobble is unrelated to the damper, have you got a dodgy track rod end?

Maybe the damper is causing the wobble for some reason?

Check all steering components thoroughly and test the damper for smooth operation!

Click to expand...

Interesting suggestion. How would one go about testing the damper? I did change the entire bar a little while back, because I bent one at Pay N Play, when I put it on the track rod ends all seemed to move fairly freely, without being "sloppy", so i assumed them to be OK. Not definite though, it was a 2nd hand part from a breaker.

Yeah the ends can be free without being loose.

Best test is to cup the joint in your fist, and then get someone to rock the steering.

You can easily feel any play when you have the whole joint cupped in your hand.

To test the damper, remove it and stand it on it's end, with the body down and piston shaft up.

Press the damper in, there should be no initial looseness. If there is, then cycle the damper a couple of times to circulate the oil, and see if the looseness goes away. If so, it's ok (this means in use it will be ok)

The movement should be smooth and easy, without too much "spring" extension.

Also check the steering box hasn't got loads of play, and check the steering column UJs. Repair any faults you find.

Have your wheels balanced, and see what happens.