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Tough Dog RTC steering Damper Quick Review.
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Author:  vl2dy4 [ Wed May 04, 2011 4:16 pm ]
Post subject:  Tough Dog RTC steering Damper Quick Review.
Hi guys i bought a RTC Tough dog Steering Damper for my zook and wanted to share my thoughts about it.

Firstly to those who say that it DOESNT make a noticeable difference i can tell you after fitting the RTC damper i can really say, that my Thumbs are safe from Bump Steer :D

Before with standard damper the zook used to really transfer the bumps and knocks through the steering wheel, this was both a pain in the arse but also took a fair bit to keep it on the straight bumpy roads.

The RTC damper has fixed this for me, my zook feels more enjoyable to drive.

I cant understand how some pull the damper off altogether, that too me really does not make any sense.

So if you are thinking about spending $165 on the damper i reckon it is a pretty good thing. It only takes about 20mins to set it all up and fit.

Please if you think that these are a gimmick let me know i would love to hear your stories.

(I am not trying to sell the RTC dampers i am merely offering my opinion, as i'm sure fellow AZ members could benefit from my review)

Conrad :lol:
Author:  Fatzook [ Wed May 04, 2011 4:48 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Tough Dog RTC steering Damper Quick Review.
Shame you won't need it with power steer :?
Author:  vl2dy4 [ Wed May 04, 2011 5:12 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Tough Dog RTC steering Damper Quick Review.
Fatzook wrote:
Shame you won't need it with power steer :?


Will i still be able to have it on or will it get in the way

Conrad
Author:  Rusho [ Wed May 04, 2011 7:02 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Tough Dog RTC steering Damper Quick Review.
It won't get in the way, you just won't need it. PS absorbs all the bumps etc, therefore making your dampner redundant.
Author:  Rockhopper [ Wed May 04, 2011 8:01 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Tough Dog RTC steering Damper Quick Review.
Rusho wrote:
It won't get in the way, you just won't need it. PS absorbs all the bumps etc, therefore making your dampner redundant.


Are you sure about that?? You could definatly feel the differance in my old GQ Patrol with power steering and a dud dampener, and I've been thinking about fitting one on my Jimny (with power steering), because i've been feeling a bit of bump steer through the steering wheel in that (both offroad and on when driving through large potholes). Maybe power steering does help, but I'm sure it does'nt eliminate it.
Author:  monley [ Wed May 04, 2011 8:54 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Tough Dog RTC steering Damper Quick Review.
I have PS on my jimny and i must say it made a big difference with the RTC on, i would not go with out one...
Author:  JrZook [ Wed May 04, 2011 10:20 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Tough Dog RTC steering Damper Quick Review.
What condition was your old dampener since you are comparing it to this RTC one?
Author:  Rusho [ Wed May 04, 2011 10:30 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Tough Dog RTC steering Damper Quick Review.
Rockhopper wrote:
Rusho wrote:
It won't get in the way, you just won't need it. PS absorbs all the bumps etc, therefore making your dampner redundant.


Are you sure about that?? You could definatly feel the differance in my old GQ Patrol with power steering and a dud dampener, and I've been thinking about fitting one on my Jimny (with power steering), because i've been feeling a bit of bump steer through the steering wheel in that (both offroad and on when driving through large potholes). Maybe power steering does help, but I'm sure it does'nt eliminate it.


Yep...took mine off and it works a lot better
Author:  vermin [ Wed May 04, 2011 11:39 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Tough Dog RTC steering Damper Quick Review.
Rusho wrote:
It won't get in the way, you just won't need it. PS absorbs all the bumps etc, therefore making your dampner redundant.


Yeah I'm not so sure about that. I get massive bump steer on bumpy roads.
Author:  stockman [ Wed May 04, 2011 11:42 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Tough Dog RTC steering Damper Quick Review.
vermin wrote:
Rusho wrote:
It won't get in the way, you just won't need it. PS absorbs all the bumps etc, therefore making your dampner redundant.


Yeah I'm not so sure about that. I get massive bump steer on bumpy roads.


Don't Jimny's come with factory wobble anyway :lol:
Author:  royce [ Wed May 04, 2011 11:50 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Tough Dog RTC steering Damper Quick Review.
Mine was shit with power steer and no damper, wobbled massively
the damper isnt there for the comfort of your fingers its to absorb energy in the steering FFS why is this so hard for you to all understand?
Author:  JrZook [ Wed May 04, 2011 11:52 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Tough Dog RTC steering Damper Quick Review.
royce wrote:
Mine was shit with power steer and no damper, wobbled massively
the damper isnt there for the comfort of your fingers its to absorb energy in the steering FFS why is this so hard for you to all understand?


Missed your morning coffee roycie? :lol:
Author:  vl2dy4 [ Thu May 05, 2011 12:32 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Tough Dog RTC steering Damper Quick Review.
Since i have just purchased the damper, i'm def going to keep it on the zook, Hopefully power steering comes today, i have received the BenT Kit which is a bloody good kit.

Conrad
Author:  tanshi [ Thu May 05, 2011 12:35 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Tough Dog RTC steering Damper Quick Review.
how does the tough dog dampner fit up?

if it uses the standard holes in the pitman arm, your gonna have issues cos the vit power steer doesnt have them.
Author:  BlueSuzy [ Thu May 05, 2011 12:42 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Tough Dog RTC steering Damper Quick Review.
He will have to drill the new pitman arm and make a new bracket or remount the damper somewhere else.

I didnt run a damper with vit ps.

If i got wobbles, it was a warning of something was going wrong.
Author:  tanshi [ Thu May 05, 2011 12:48 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Tough Dog RTC steering Damper Quick Review.
drill holes in a cast pitman arm?? thats just asking for it to snap on the holes you drill
Author:  BlueSuzy [ Thu May 05, 2011 1:41 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Tough Dog RTC steering Damper Quick Review.
tanshi wrote:
drill holes in a cast pitman arm?? thats just asking for it to snap on the holes you drill


yes.
Author:  skyman [ Thu May 05, 2011 7:01 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Tough Dog RTC steering Damper Quick Review.
I used the stock mount on the stock pitman arm and cut it down to fit the vitara pitman arm. It is not bolted, but it is captured when bolted on.

Because the throw is different I made a double sheer mount out of a piece of flat bar and two tabs. Make sure you mount it o you can use all the travel in the dampener or it will ruin your dampener in short order (kinda like shock travel).

I already had power steer, so I did it because I was bored and wanted to see how it worked. I also had an new old man EMU stabilizer from an old tintop I had. It keeps the steering centered, and helps keep it straight on the bitumen/asphalt/black top when the road is rutted. it also seems to ake a difference on corrugated roads.

So yer, it made a difference and I would do it again.
Author:  vl2dy4 [ Thu May 05, 2011 7:42 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Tough Dog RTC steering Damper Quick Review.
skyman wrote:
I used the stock mount on the stock pitman arm and cut it down to fit the vitara pitman arm. It is not bolted, but it is captured when bolted on.

Because the throw is different I made a double sheer mount out of a piece of flat bar and two tabs. Make sure you mount it o you can use all the travel in the dampener or it will ruin your dampener in short order (kinda like shock travel).

I already had power steer, so I did it because I was bored and wanted to see how it worked. I also had an new old man EMU stabilizer from an old tintop I had. It keeps the steering centered, and helps keep it straight on the bitumen/asphalt/black top when the road is rutted. it also seems to ake a difference on corrugated roads.

So yer, it made a difference and I would do it again.


Do you have any pics that might help out please.

Conrad
Author:  skyman [ Thu May 05, 2011 7:52 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Tough Dog RTC steering Damper Quick Review.
will take a look right now. I may have to snap some pics tomorrow if they are not on my hard drive.
Author:  skyman [ Thu May 05, 2011 8:09 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Tough Dog RTC steering Damper Quick Review.
Please fogive the surface rust I didn't get paint on it right away.

Since the travel was a little different I took a piece of flat bar and welded two tabs on it the width of the stabilizer. Then I took the flat bar, ad welded it to the backside of the stock stabilizer mount.

I cut down the stock non-power steering bracket so it fit behind the little notch. That captures the bracket o you do not have to drill the pitman to get it to work.
It has been working flawless for about a year, maybe two?

I hope this helps, pictures below.
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Author:  steak_knife [ Thu May 05, 2011 8:12 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Tough Dog RTC steering Damper Quick Review.
royce wrote:
Mine was shit with power steer and no damper, wobbled massively
the damper isnt there for the comfort of your fingers its to absorb energy in the steering FFS why is this so hard for you to all understand?


mine wobble's, have P/s...
Author:  Fatzook [ Thu May 05, 2011 8:21 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Tough Dog RTC steering Damper Quick Review.
PS and no dampener....no wobbles.
Author:  skyman [ Thu May 05, 2011 8:25 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Tough Dog RTC steering Damper Quick Review.
I had no wobbles before P/S and no dampener, but I worked hard to make everything right (had em at first). I also had no wobbles without a dampener with P/S.

I did
king pin pre load, wheel bearing re-torque, new tie rod ends(half high steer), tire balance, knuckle felts, and set my toe correctly.

T-case arms, and u-joints helped with vibes, but not wobbles.
Author:  MrRocky [ Thu May 05, 2011 8:53 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Tough Dog RTC steering Damper Quick Review.
in all fairness if you replaced your dampner with a $50 h/d one you will probably find it would have improved it just as much whilst still being easier to full lock and you would still have $115 in your wallet :wink:
Author:  steak_knife [ Thu May 05, 2011 9:12 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Tough Dog RTC steering Damper Quick Review.
Fatzook wrote:
PS and no dampener....no wobbles.


Doesn't go Pete :wink:
Author:  Fatzook [ Thu May 05, 2011 9:37 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Tough Dog RTC steering Damper Quick Review.
steak_knife wrote:
Fatzook wrote:
PS and no dampener....no wobbles.


Doesn't go Pete :wink:


Before :roll:

Might need one with the 33's though :?
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