Spring steering damper.

Post by **Kev80** » Fri Sep 26, 2003 9:47 am

Whats the go with these spring return steering dampers, are they worth having or just a gimmic ?

I installed one & find the steering is heaver (obviously) when negotiating slow tight turns ect.

Is the benefit of on-road steering worth the lack of easy steering out bush ?

Post by **ToNkA** » Fri Sep 26, 2003 9:55 am

I have one on my Hilux with 33's and no power steering. I find it works well and having the RTC spring is great for both on and off road driving.

Make sure, if you dont have Power Steer, you dont purchase the PS model for your fourbie which has a great spring rate.

Havent really found it any harder to turn at all.

Post by **bogged** » Fri Sep 26, 2003 10:28 am

Was talkin to Bazzle about these on patrol list while back, he has a few in bits in his shed that have died...

Again think it depends on the user and usage... I went with a normal everyday steerin damper on mine.

Tonka, do you find it any more effort to steer, can you feel the damper workin when ya steerin?

Post by **TOYrantula** » Fri Sep 26, 2003 11:10 am

Howdy....I have a RTC damper... When I first got it, it was GREAT!! I dont have power steering and run 35s....when I turned the corner it sprung back nicely. It still does it now...(not sure how long I have had it, has been definately over a yr)...but does not spring back as hard since the coil has been worn in now. It took maybe a little more effort to turn at start, but not much, and now, I;m used to it, so not sure if it does require more effort...
Personally, I think it was worth the $$$, well it wasnt that $$$, but I'd by another...

Post by **ToNkA** » Fri Sep 26, 2003 11:13 am

I don't notice having to turn against the spring at all. Feels normal to me. But do notice the wheel spin back to centre when i let go of it after a sharp corner on the road.

Post by **Area54** » Fri Sep 26, 2003 11:21 am

I've never had one on a rig, but if your vehicle was running borderline caster, you would get a greater return to centre effect (caster self steering) by running one of these. Could also be helpful if you had a slight pull to left or right (provided that you don't have other major problems causing this) to combat the slight wander attributed to road camber. Pretty easy to setup, too.

Post by **bundytunna** » Fri Sep 26, 2003 11:28 am

yeah ive heard bout these
whats the price difference ova a normal sterring damper
like a norm sterr damper is wat around 100 give or take
what are the rtc worth

Post by **Area54** » Fri Sep 26, 2003 11:41 am

I think they are about $130 plus, from Opposite Lock.

Post by **TuffRR** » Fri Sep 26, 2003 12:38 pm

The best price i could find in Vic at the start of the year was around the $150 mark. I have been pretty happy with mine, but to work correctly they need to be set up properly.

Post by **ToNkA** » Fri Sep 26, 2003 1:47 pm

At the 4x4 show 2 years ago, the Tough Dog guy had a stand and special deals for the show. I got one for $107.

Post by **Area54** » Fri Sep 26, 2003 1:59 pm

ToNkA wrote:At the 4x4 show 2 years ago, the Tough Dog guy had a stand and special deals for the show. I got one for $107.

Cool, what's his number, maybe he'll still have some at that price... :rofl:

Post by **ToNkA** » Fri Sep 26, 2003 2:16 pm

Was implying that perhaps you would be able to pick one up cheap at the 4x4 show this year?!

:finger:

Post by **Area54** » Fri Sep 26, 2003 2:19 pm

ToNkA wrote::finger:

Was implying that perhaps you would be able to pick one up cheap at the 4x4 show this year?!

You're right, good point.

Actually I'll be keen to hear more info about the adjustable tough dog shocks that OL are selling - they sound pretty tough (pun intended), might be valid competition to the Rancho.

Post by **bogged** » Fri Sep 26, 2003 2:22 pm

Area54 wrote:
ToNkA wrote:At the 4x4 show 2 years ago, the Tough Dog guy had a stand and special deals for the show. I got one for $107.

Cool, what's his number, maybe he'll still have some at that price...

4wd show in melb Next month....

Post by **MUSS** » Fri Sep 26, 2003 2:30 pm

guys lets not high jack kevs thred... as id like to know why his STC dampener is heavier too

Post by **mickrangie** » Fri Sep 26, 2003 5:05 pm

JAKE wrote:guys lets not high jack kevs thred... as id like to know why his STC dampener is heavier too

I fitted one to my rangie and it's fantastic!!!

Never heard of anyone having a problem before aprt from the rig pulling to one side if it's not setup right. I have even heard of guys running 2 of them on non power stear models with huge ass tyres...

Maybe the unit is fualty??

Post by **Surfin Alec** » Fri Sep 26, 2003 5:43 pm

I've had my RTC on for over a year, I rekon it works a treat especially with the loc-rite in the front. Any help with steering with the locker is appreciated.

Well worth the extra bucks.

Post by **redzook** » Fri Sep 26, 2003 6:01 pm

ive got 1
i reckon its worth it

Post by **Kev80** » Fri Sep 26, 2003 6:15 pm

So how do you guys not feel it when turning. (especialy non-pw/steer)

I have p/steering & can still feel the spring acting when full turning at low speed......id be supprised if i couldn't.

No dramas, maybe i have light steering normaly ! :roll:

Post by **redzook** » Fri Sep 26, 2003 8:50 pm

u need to grow some muscles :finger:

Post by **Kev80** » Fri Sep 26, 2003 8:54 pm

redzook wrote:u need to grow some muscles

I weigh 95 Kg so that ain't a problem ! :finger:

Post by **Goodsy** » Fri Sep 26, 2003 9:06 pm

G'day Kev I'm also interested on one of these. With the massive

32/9.5 Centipedes on kick from the steering is a pita. How do you find it with the bump steer?

Post by **Kev80** » Fri Sep 26, 2003 9:11 pm

Sounds like you need a new damper for sure, but im still evaluating if the spring is needed or not. Give it a couple of trips & ill know.

Whats "bump steer" ?

Post by **MUSS** » Fri Sep 26, 2003 9:17 pm

big rock says: BUMP :bad-words:

goodsy says: awwe sh1t :shock:

STEER OVER THERE!!! :shock: STEER OVER THERE!!!!!! think i need a RTC steerin dampener luv...... :finger:

better clean them daks goodsy

Post by **Kev80** » Fri Sep 26, 2003 9:22 pm

The spring wont help ya with bump steer (i think), Thats what the damper's for. :!:

Post by **MUSS** » Fri Sep 26, 2003 9:25 pm

HEY

IM EXCITTED BIG KEV IVE SOLVED YA PROBLEM......

...... get another RTC DAMPENER and go the dual set up :roll:

look very BLING BLING for the small furry animals you run over :finger:

Post by **Goodsy** » Fri Sep 26, 2003 9:34 pm

Thanks Jake that pretty much what happens. :rofl:

I know I need a new dampener but not sure what to go with. Thats why the interest in your newi Kev. From what I remember these rtc one had a smaller damperer section than the none rtc ones. Do I want the larger non rtc damper for bump steer?

Post by **MUSS** » Fri Sep 26, 2003 9:37 pm

IM GONNA GO DUAL PROCOMPS bling bling SHOOD SOLVE THE BUMPY BUMP BUMP PROB... :rofl:

Post by **Area54** » Fri Sep 26, 2003 9:37 pm

Hey goodsy, do you have IFS or live axle?

Post by **Area54** » Fri Sep 26, 2003 9:43 pm

JAKE wrote:IM GONNA GO DUAL PROCOMPS bling bling SHOOD SOLVE THE BUMPY BUMP BUMP PROB...

Bump steer has more to do with the angle of the drag link in relation to the diff and steering box, as opposed to the resistance created by a steering damper.

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