[alien]

Hey all

have had a recurring steering problem where it wouldnt return to center on cornering, but only the last 1/4 or so of a turn... front wheel bearings were a little loose, which helped but didnt remove the problem.

I've since undone the steering dampener (stock one) and its driving way better now - no issues at all. The dampener is incredibly hard to compress but easy to open up so i'd say thats a fair sign its shagged.

Which brings me to the question: do i really need the dampener? i hit a few kurbs in my testing and didnt notice any more kick-back from the wheel than normal? is there something im missing? lol

[89_tintop]

I ran my sierra without one for a while and really did not notice any difference.

So IMO yup don't need to run one

[Damo]

Im running without one and every now and then you'll hit something that sets up an oscillation. Given the choice I would run one.

[alien]

yeah might order one monday and just run without till it arrives.

tell you what though - running without makes the steering way lighter =P

[Highway-Star]

alien wrote:

Hey all

have had a recurring steering problem where it wouldnt return to center on cornering, but only the last 1/4 or so of a turn... front wheel bearings were a little loose, which helped but didnt remove the problem.

I've since undone the steering dampener (stock one) and its driving way better now - no issues at all. The dampener is incredibly hard to compress but easy to open up so i'd say thats a fair sign its shagged.

Which brings me to the question: do i really need the dampener? i hit a few kurbs in my testing and didnt notice any more kick-back from the wheel than normal? is there something im missing? lol

Not returning to centre is castor, I have castor wedges in my SJ and it self centres rather agressively... I like it

IMO Steering damper should be there, its part of design of the front suspension and steering.

[BlueSuzy]

Coily's never had one. No brackets or anything.

I dont run one either, but i have vit ps.

[alien]

highway-star - its returning to center awesomely now, enough so that if i let go of the wheel half way round a corner it straigtens up almost instantly and points me 45degrees straight off the road =P

anyone bought a new standard one before? how easy are they to compress and expand? my busted one is about 2-3kg to expand and about 15-20kg to compress with a nice rubber squealing sound on compression (just guessing).

just went for a long drive - 110km/hr and parking, reversing etc in carparks and its spot on now, handling feels so much better and i can feel the road much better through the wheel.

I'm hoping a standard dampener wont rob me of that feel.

[jonno_racing]

BlueSuzy wrote:

Coily's never had one. No brackets or anything.

I dont run one either, but i have vit ps.

i run one, had the mount welded on.. stoped my head shake

[zooky08]

I had a busted damper and it use to rip the steering wheel straight out of my hands when i hit shit. Neally come close to breaking my wrist a couplee of times. So i think it would be best to run one imo. I just ordered a stock (gabriel) damper. About $55. It fixed every thing

[whincup]

alien wrote:

I'm hoping a standard dampener wont rob me of that feel.

i just had a new one put on and i noticed a HUGE difference, although i had the front wheel bearings replaced and one was completely shagged, so the difference could have been that. IMO you wont notice a difference on-road between it being there, but offroad i think it will make a noticeable difference...

[steak_knife]

http://www.lowrangeoffroad.com/suzuki/s ... -kits.html

I want one O these..

Like Mr Blue I'm not running one, vit P/s, but I can feel the start of the wobble when I hit bump's, so going to get one O them..

[royce]

steak_knife wrote:

http://www.lowrangeoffroad.com/suzuki/samurai/steering/steering-stabilizer-kit-for-cross-over-steering-kits.html

I want one O these..

Like Mr Blue I'm not running one, vit P/s, but I can feel the start of the wobble when I hit bump's, so going to get one O them..

These are a good thing, dont fit NT though

[steak_knife]

I got a Mig...

[royce]

by NT I mean NT diff, not wide enough

[steak_knife]

Sully's fine then..

I got your meaning as soon as I clicked " Submit"

[lump_a_charcoal]

Aron, I ripped mine off a few years ago wheeling at zigzag - It was so good afterwards that I never refitted it.

Unnecessary IMO if your steering is set up right.

[Gwagensteve]

X2.

Don't bother replacing it IMHO.

PS they have 50/50 valving - should be no harder to compress or expand.

I've built a heap of cars without them.

[alien]

haha ok i'll leave it off until i have a chance to try it offroad... if i dont like it offroad ill chuck one back on, if i cant tell the difference i'll leave it off =)

[ajsr]

Mine doesnt run one

[alex]

ajsr wrote:

Mine doesnt run one

x2

[Moph]

Mine has one there for looks ... its completely buggered and can be pushed in/out really quickly with little force. Doesn't seem to be a problem. Have held out on replacing it because all the aftermarket ones I've seen are RTC which I don't need, and haven't chased down an original.

[alien]

suzistore do an original - looks like genuine, probably maruti:

http://www.suzistore.com.au/shopexd.asp?id=844

not cheap though!