Is there a trick for re-attaching the Steering Damper?

I'm pretty sure the answer here is "Oh, if that's where you're going, I wouldn't be starting from here." but here goes.

When changing the Drag Link I disconnected the steering damper. There's nothing which says "Wrap damper with special tool LR-XXX." so, of course it lengthens to full travel.

Now it's too long to line up with the Drag Link attachment point even on full lock... what's the trick?

chasman said:

I'm pretty sure the answer here is "Oh, if that's where you're going, I wouldn't be starting from here." but here goes.

When changing the Drag Link I disconnected the steering damper. There's nothing which says "Wrap damper with special tool LR-XXX." so, of course it lengthens to full travel.

Now it's too long to line up with the Drag Link attachment point even on full lock... what's the trick?

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try using a ratchet strap

JohnnyCrash said:

try using a ratchet strap

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OK, cool. Think we have some somewhere... quite wide ones though. There are 1" ones on Amazon Prime... might buy a set just in case.

Cheers.

I bought a new one last week and it didn't extend automatically. I could extend it and compress it with a little resistance but once I'd moved it it didn't extend back out.

I assumed it was meant to be like that, does that mean the new one I bought was broken?

jacckk said:

I bought a new one last week and it didn't extend automatically. I could extend it and compress it with a little resistance but once I'd moved it it didn't extend back out.

I assumed it was meant to be like that, does that mean the new one I bought was broken?

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Maybe just stiff because it's new? I was surprised when it extended... you would think it would make the steering pull to the right. The fact you can move it by hand sounds odd too... then again if I understand it correctly its not about a constant force it's about flow... a fluid flowing through discs with holes which restrict and damp the movement. So moving it slowly by hand they don't do much, a high frequency wobble would still be damped. Wammers will jump in with the full SP I'm sure.

I'm wondering if yours is correct and I was sold a suspension damper in error...

I'm pretty sure it should not extend on it's own, it's just a bi-directional damper that limits speed of movement using oil flow through valves. Mine certainly did not extend when I replaced the drag link.

Datatek said:

I'm pretty sure it should not extend on it's own, it's just a bi-directional damper that limits speed of movement using oil flow through valves. Mine certainly did not extend when I replaced the drag link.

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+1.....hmmmmm

Steering damper should damp equally in both directions and should not in my view have gas pressure forcing it to extend. That is a ridiculous scenario. What make of damper is it. Gas in dampers is to stop the oil from boiling i cannot see how a steering damper needs that sort of protection it is not stressed anything like a suspension damper is.

wammers said:

Steering damper should damp equally in both directions and should not in my view have gas pressure forcing it to extend. That is a ridiculous scenario. What make of damper is it. Gas in dampers is to stop the oil from boiling i cannot see how a steering damper needs that sort of protection it is not stressed anything like a suspension damper is.

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+1 i only fit std steering dampers ,after fitting a few aftermarket "improved" versions they just seem to make steering poorer

jamesmartin said:

+1 i only fit std steering dampers ,after fitting a few aftermarket "improved" versions they just seem to make steering poorer

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I know a few people who have had probs with aftermarket cheapies too. Quite pleased with my OME one though, been good so far, fingers crossed

Datatek said:

I'm pretty sure it should not extend on it's own, it's just a bi-directional damper that limits speed of movement using oil flow through valves. Mine certainly did not extend when I replaced the drag link.

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Something amiss then.

wammers said:

Steering damper should damp equally in both directions and should not in my view have gas pressure forcing it to extend. That is a ridiculous scenario. What make of damper is it. Gas in dampers is to stop the oil from boiling i cannot see how a steering damper needs that sort of protection it is not stressed anything like a suspension damper is.

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Bilstein. Can't remember from whom, I'll have a dig through my GMail and let you know if I find it.

chasman said:

Bilstein. Can't remember from whom, I'll have a dig through my GMail and let you know if I find it.

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Okay found it... think I'm going to get flack for this but the truth is the truth... I have B6 dampers on the suspension and love them so this made sense to me...

DA1061 | Steering Damper - Bilstein B6 Gas

As Wammers will no doubt confirm I'm a bit of an upgrade tart, if I'm shedding blood or spending money by the hour I like to leave things better than stock if it makes sense to do so. Maybe that's bitten me on the bum this time?

chasman said:

Okay found it... think I'm going to get flack for this but the truth is the truth... I have B6 dampers on the suspension and love them so this made sense to me...

DA1061 | Steering Damper - Bilstein B6 Gas

As Wammers will no doubt confirm I'm a bit of an upgrade tart, if I'm shedding blood or spending money by the hour I like to leave things better than stock if it makes sense to do so. Maybe that's bitten me on the bum this time?

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Back to the mirror, drop your pants, bend over and check for teeth marks. No more football "jokes" Mozz.

chasman said:

Okay found it... think I'm going to get flack for this but the truth is the truth... I have B6 dampers on the suspension and love them so this made sense to me...

DA1061 | Steering Damper - Bilstein B6 Gas

As Wammers will no doubt confirm I'm a bit of an upgrade tart, if I'm shedding blood or spending money by the hour I like to leave things better than stock if it makes sense to do so. Maybe that's bitten me on the bum this time?

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Why would you want a steering damper that gives a bias in one direction? Makes no sense to me. Seems to sort of defeat the object. I could understand having two fitted one balancing against the other, but just one makes no sense.

You can't feel it from behind the wheel TBH. I could JUST compress it 3-4 inches by hand and it reached full length again in 6-7 seconds. Mounted it to the Drag Link first then used my hip to shove on the thick end and pop it into the slot in the chassis before it got too long. Cue barrage of double entendres The fact my phone changed "compress" to "comes" really didn't help did it!!! Jeez I made a right balls of that... never use a phone when you have a laptop to hand!

chasman said:

You can't feel it from behind the wheel TBH. I could JUST compress it 3-4 inches by hand and it reached full length again in 6-7 seconds. Mounted it to the Drag Link first then used my hip to shove on the thick end and pop it into the slot in the chassis before it got too long. Cue barrage of double entendres The fact my phone changed "compress" to "comes" really didn't help did it!!! Jeez I made a right balls of that... never use a phone when you have a laptop to hand!

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Well then just locate one end and push it in until it fits. Not exactly rocket science.

I am a fat typist with pipe cleaners for arms.

chasman said:

I am a fat typist with pipe cleaners for arms.

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You is gunna struggle then. That is why all proper mechanics have arms like Popeye.

wammers said:

You is gunna struggle then. That is why all proper mechanics have arms like Popeye.

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Got it done in the end, once it was trapped in that U-shaped slot I levered back a bit to line up the hole and tapped the bolt through. I bloody ache from all the failed attempts

Pretty satisfying now it's done though.