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Spring steering damper.

Posted: Fri Sep 26, 2003 9:47 am
by Kev80
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 ?

Posted: Fri Sep 26, 2003 9:55 am
by ToNkA
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.

Posted: Fri Sep 26, 2003 10:28 am
by bogged
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?

Posted: Fri Sep 26, 2003 11:10 am
by TOYrantula
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...

Posted: Fri Sep 26, 2003 11:13 am
by ToNkA
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.

Posted: Fri Sep 26, 2003 11:21 am
by Area54
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.

Posted: Fri Sep 26, 2003 11:28 am
by bundytunna
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

Posted: Fri Sep 26, 2003 11:41 am
by Area54
I think they are about $130 plus, from Opposite Lock.

Posted: Fri Sep 26, 2003 12:38 pm
by TuffRR
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.

Posted: Fri Sep 26, 2003 1:47 pm
by ToNkA
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.

Posted: Fri Sep 26, 2003 1:59 pm
by Area54
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: :rofl:

Posted: Fri Sep 26, 2003 2:16 pm
by ToNkA
:finger:

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

:finger:

Posted: Fri Sep 26, 2003 2:19 pm
by Area54
ToNkA wrote::finger:

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

:finger:


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.

Posted: Fri Sep 26, 2003 2:22 pm
by bogged
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... :rofl: :rofl:



4wd show in melb Next month.... :)

Posted: Fri Sep 26, 2003 2:30 pm
by MUSS
guys lets not high jack kevs thred... as id like to know why his STC dampener is heavier too :? :D

Posted: Fri Sep 26, 2003 5:05 pm
by mickrangie
JAKE wrote:guys lets not high jack kevs thred... as id like to know why his STC dampener is heavier too :? :D


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??

Posted: Fri Sep 26, 2003 5:43 pm
by Surfin Alec
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. :D
Well worth the extra bucks.

Posted: Fri Sep 26, 2003 6:01 pm
by redzook
ive got 1
i reckon its worth it
:D

Posted: Fri Sep 26, 2003 6:15 pm
by Kev80
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:

Posted: Fri Sep 26, 2003 8:50 pm
by redzook
u need to grow some muscles :finger:

Posted: Fri Sep 26, 2003 8:54 pm
by Kev80
redzook wrote:u need to grow some muscles :finger:




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

Posted: Fri Sep 26, 2003 9:06 pm
by Goodsy
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?

Posted: Fri Sep 26, 2003 9:11 pm
by Kev80
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" ?

Posted: Fri Sep 26, 2003 9:17 pm
by MUSS
big rock says: BUMP :bad-words: :twisted:
goodsy says: awwe sh1t :shock: :roll: STEER OVER THERE!!! :shock: STEER OVER THERE!!!!!! think i need a RTC steerin dampener luv...... :finger: :rofl: better clean them daks goodsy

Posted: Fri Sep 26, 2003 9:22 pm
by Kev80
The spring wont help ya with bump steer (i think), Thats what the damper's for. :!:

Posted: Fri Sep 26, 2003 9:25 pm
by MUSS
HEY :shock:IM EXCITTED BIG KEV IVE SOLVED YA PROBLEM...... :D :finger: ...... get another RTC DAMPENER and go the dual set up :roll: :finger: look very BLING BLING for the small furry animals you run over :finger: :rofl:

Posted: Fri Sep 26, 2003 9:34 pm
by Goodsy
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?

Posted: Fri Sep 26, 2003 9:37 pm
by MUSS
IM GONNA GO DUAL PROCOMPS bling bling SHOOD SOLVE THE BUMPY BUMP BUMP PROB... :rofl:

Posted: Fri Sep 26, 2003 9:37 pm
by Area54
Hey goodsy, do you have IFS or live axle?

Posted: Fri Sep 26, 2003 9:43 pm
by Area54
JAKE wrote:IM GONNA GO DUAL PROCOMPS bling bling SHOOD SOLVE THE BUMPY BUMP BUMP PROB... :rofl:


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.