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STEERING DAMPENER ADVICE

Posted: Sat Mar 13, 2004 3:58 pm
by DAAS KAPITAL
I have just replaced my tie-rod with a second hand one after bending the last one & found out my OME steering dampener is shot.
I am going to replace it but after driving around town without noticing any differance & seeing some shots of other rigs without them on the forum I thought i would raise the question who leaves them ON or OFF ?????

It is an 85 runner live axle, OME suspension with 33`s on 15x10`s.

Posted: Sat Mar 13, 2004 4:03 pm
by ToNkA
I have a return to centre steering stabilizer (tough dog) and find it great for taking out vibrations and for turning the wheel back on full lock. Much better than the OME one.

Never not used one at all so can't say what the difference is.

Posted: Sat Mar 13, 2004 4:12 pm
by Kev80
Defenatly get a new one !

Wait untill you side swipe a curb or a wheel rut etc & have the steering wheel rip out of your hands & spin 20 times.

A good way to brake ya thumbs i recon.

Posted: Sat Mar 13, 2004 4:51 pm
by DAAS KAPITAL
Thanks TONKA, the 3-way stabilizer was first preference waiting till monday to check them out. How much was yours????

This is one of the photo`s that raised the question (Awesome rig, by all means not knocking it in anyway just curious).

Posted: Sat Mar 13, 2004 7:51 pm
by dave
I have been running the Rig in qeustion for at least 2 years with out a steering dampener. The truck is running crossover power steering.
I have not noted any change in the performace of the steering and as it is power steer i have no more wheel kick from ruts or rock ledges ect than i had with the dampener on.
I belive that the steering dampener will help control wheel shimmy on a Truck that the steering is not set up properly on and yes will help control wheel kick on a non power steer setup.

Posted: Sat Mar 13, 2004 9:38 pm
by hypo
Kev80 wrote:Defenatly get a new one !

Wait untill you side swipe a curb or a wheel rut etc & have the steering wheel rip out of your hands & spin 20 times.

A good way to brake ya thumbs i recon.


dude the only thing stopping this from happenin is power steering or hydro steerin not a farken steering damper

Posted: Sat Mar 13, 2004 9:38 pm
by hypo
DAAS KAPITAL wrote:Thanks TONKA, the 3-way stabilizer was first preference waiting till monday to check them out. How much was yours????

This is one of the photo`s that raised the question (Awesome rig, by all means not knocking it in anyway just curious).


i personally have seen the rig in question and i think its Grimace :finger:

Posted: Sat Mar 13, 2004 9:40 pm
by hypo
i ran standard steering with and wothout a damper, and the difference was noticable, but with crossover hi-steer i cant tell the difference

Posted: Sun Mar 14, 2004 1:56 pm
by DAAS KAPITAL
Obviously power steering makes a huge differance as my mates 4by does not have p/steer or a dampener & it kicks like a bastard just driving up a gutter where as mine with p/steer minus the steering dampener loves it.
If it was hit at speed that could be a totally different story (dangerous if anything).
I have never had a good look into cross over steering to note the difference in setup with the dampener (apart from the obvious tie-rod reposition).
Any other opinions of anyone running standard setup???

Posted: Sun Mar 14, 2004 4:40 pm
by RUFF
hypolux wrote:
Kev80 wrote:Defenatly get a new one !

Wait untill you side swipe a curb or a wheel rut etc & have the steering wheel rip out of your hands & spin 20 times.

A good way to brake ya thumbs i recon.


dude the only thing stopping this from happenin is power steering or hydro steerin not a farken steering damper


This is actually the main reasion for a steering Damper. Power steer or Hydro will not stop the wheel from being ripped from your hands. The damper is there to slow and sudden movements in the steering jaust like a shock absorber does on suspension.