Shocks as Steering stabilizer?

[DBW]

Dilemma, I have fitted a 4" fit to my 01 GU wagon recently and have noticed a fair bit of shimmy and feeling the road through the wheel (besides how disappointed I am in the drive, feels like a brick on jelly)- so I figure the standard steering stabilizer is just not up to the task.

Now before I fork out moula for a new one, I have two Old Man Emu brand new shocks (front to suit 2" lift eye to eye) and I'm wondering if they have a similar damping rate, if so I'll make brackets to fit them to the steering/panhard rods.

Any info appreciated! Thanks
Dan

[BigMav]

I'm assuming you've fitted castor correction? Also check panhard bushes for wear which may be more obvious now you've lifted it.

[DBW]

Yeah plates, panhards are new so that can't be it. But more to my question on the shocks as steering damper?

[BigMav]

Sorry just covering the more obvious things first. I wouldn't think the dampening rates would be the same and haven't heard of anyone doing what you are talking about. If the shocks are new you shouldn't have any trouble flogging them on ebay. With the money from them get a 4way return to centre stabiliser for about $160. Sorry I can't be of any more help.

[marin]

steering stabilizers dampen both ways, shocks only dampen 1 way, you will notice that shocks push themselves out on their own, steering stabilizers don't.

marin

p.s. before buying a RTC steering dampner, read up all the different opinions on them by searching the forum, there have been instances of them breaking springs etc.

[DBW]

All good Bigmav!

Marin, I didn't even think about that! Good point!

So are the Return to centre as good as their advertising sugests? I'll have to get something soon, any other sugestions?

[stool]

Have a look at the steering tie rod ends

That was my problem the ends were screwed

[DBW]

Hmm, checked them out Stool and all is tight. Only thing I just noticed is the passenger front wheel has a bees dick of wheel bearing slop in it. Not enough to consider yet, Though it's something to add to the never ending list!

Had a read regarding the RTC's from what I can gather by peoples posts, people who know their shit don't like them, and people who don't know shit love them!

Think I'll chase an OME one or something.

[Tiny]

a steering dampner is a shock, shocks work both ways, depends on pressure as to how much tey will puch out, a shock off your vehicle prolly is not the coorect lenghts to suit thoug, , if you make new mounts the current OME shocks you have can be adapted depending on what work you want to do

[stool]

You will find a new steering shock will be a band`aid fix untill

the real cause of the wooble is found

[DBW]

Don't say that! Why doesn't duct tape just fix everything! But I really should upgrade the stocker to suit the rest, come on just tell me yes so i can go get some shiney new thing!

[JOHNZ]

a steering dampner is a shock, shocks work both ways, depends on pressure as to how much tey will puch out, a shock off your vehicle prolly is not the coorect lenghts to suit thoug, , if you make new mounts the current OME shocks you have can be adapted depending on what work you want to do

Dont use a shock as a damper, totally the wrong thing to do.
Steering damper has the same valving for extension & compression
Shocks have firmer vavling for extension & softer valving for compression,also most shocks are gas charged.
Your ome would be to long for that application& by the time you modified the mounts,it would cheaper to buy a new damper eg: 35mm big bore damper $100
cheers JOHNZ

[65Mog]

a steering dampner is a shock, shocks work both ways, depends on pressure as to how much tey will puch out, a shock off your vehicle prolly is not the coorect lenghts to suit thoug, , if you make new mounts the current OME shocks you have can be adapted depending on what work you want to do

Dont use a shock as a damper, totally the wrong thing to do.
Steering damper has the same valving for extension & compression
Shocks have firmer vavling for extension & softer valving for compression,also most shocks are gas charged.
Your ome would be to long for that application& by the time you modified the mounts,it would cheaper to buy a new damper eg: 35mm big bore damper $100
cheers JOHNZ

I agree, don't use a shock for a dampener!

[Tiny]

a steering dampner is a shock, shocks work both ways, depends on pressure as to how much tey will puch out, a shock off your vehicle prolly is not the coorect lenghts to suit thoug, , if you make new mounts the current OME shocks you have can be adapted depending on what work you want to do

Dont use a shock as a damper, totally the wrong thing to do.
Steering damper has the same valving for extension & compression
Shocks have firmer vavling for extension & softer valving for compression,also most shocks are gas charged.
Your ome would be to long for that application& by the time you modified the mounts,it would cheaper to buy a new damper eg: 35mm big bore damper $100
cheers JOHNZ

I agree, don't use a shock for a dampener!

agree but in the meantime it would work until the issue is fount, it is unlikly the wobble is due to the dampner and it could be anything from tie rod ends to wheel bearings

[bogged]

Yeah plates, panhards are new so that can't be it. But more to my question on the shocks as steering damper?

Have you measured the caster? You have plates in there, but you may still not have enough or too much.

[beretta]

With regard to the steering dampener I wouldn't waste your time mate. I sold a set of well used shocks on ebay and got $200 for em, so a brand new pair sold on ebay would probably more than pay for a RTC steering dampener, see link:

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/4-Way-Tough-Dog- ... dZViewItem

[big ben]

You cannot use a pressurised shock for a steering dampener, unless you like driving in circles. It will expand and constantly push on the steering .