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What the heck is this thing,some kind of mod on my steering?
Posted: Tue Jul 28, 2009 8:48 pm
by linx310
Just noticed this thing, it doesn't look stock.
Could this be the cause of my crappy steering?
Posted: Tue Jul 28, 2009 9:27 pm
by Jim
That 'thing' appears to be a shimmy damper, usually
put on to spare the expense of actually fixing a bad case
of shimmy in the front end. I have one myself. Shimmy
can really louse up your traveling experience.
Jim in Darkest Arkansas
Posted: Tue Jul 28, 2009 10:12 pm
by linx310
Well this one doesn't seem to do a good job because above 35 mph it has a bad "death wobble". That or I am lucky I can get to 35 mph because of this thing.
I am gonna remove it and inspect the steering system.
Posted: Tue Jul 28, 2009 10:56 pm
by kenperkins
it's called a steering damper, it's basicly a shock absorber. test it like a shock, if you can pull and push with no resistance it's shot. Jim is correct
these were added a lot of time to mask steering / bearing problems.see the post below on NOS steering boxes, Wes added good starting points for maintaince
Posted: Wed Jul 29, 2009 12:42 am
by wesk
Death wobble is not always a steering linkage issue. Have you lifted each front wheel off the ground and checked the pivot bearings (king pins) and the wheel bearings for excess slop?
I firmly believe that steering damper kit causes more harm then it does good. In almost every case where you see them the owner gave up trying to correct worn steering parts issues and put the universal steering bandage on. This gas type shock creates heavier resistance to steering linkage movement which translates to extra wear on the gear box.
wobble
Posted: Thu Jul 30, 2009 6:46 am
by TomM
Linx
You should remove the steering damper and fix your death wobble. The death wobble is your signal that something needs repair. As mentioned, check steering gear, drag link, tie rod ends, kingpins and wheelbearings. The repairs are easy if you follow the manual. When doing the kingpins you should also put new knuckle seals on the back of the knuckles. They have to be removed for your adjustment anyway and replacements are inexpensive.
After you have everything repaired, adjusted and lubricated and you are sure the death wobble is gone you can think about putting the steering damper back in place.
The only reason it should be installed is if you find yourself offroading hard and the steering kicks back too much for your arms and hands to handle. If you are running monster mudder 32 inch tires it also might help smooth out some of the steering kickback that they create. Other than that, there isn't much need for the damper. You can sell it to the heavy modified offroader crowd for a few bucks.
Tom