Steering Damper April 13, 2012, 11:57:56 am Yahoo Message Number: 129809Larry, What caused it to fail and more importantly . . what does a steering damper do and how does it do it ?Bill Atkins "Merlot" 02 RBAlso changed the steering damper which was blown (64,000 miles). Replaced it with a bigger than stock Monroe Magnum, Part # SC2955. http://www.amazon.com/Monroe-SC2955-Magnum-Steering-Damper/dp/B000C59SCE>. As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
Re: Steering Damper Reply #1 – April 13, 2012, 12:21:11 pm Yahoo Message Number: 129810"What caused it to fail and more importantly . . what does a steering damper do and how does it do it ?"Bill A steering damper or stabilizer is basically a shock absorber mounted on the steering link to reduce impacts and jolts that try to push the wheels in another direction. A bad damper feels like looseness in the steering. Dampers wear out, just like shock absorbers. I'm sure my many trips up and down I-5 have helped in its demise. Two 12mm bolts (17mm heads) hold it in place, a five minute job to remove. When removed, and one end clamped horizontally in a vise, you can push and pull the shaft, feeling for a smooth even resistance, in both directions. Our old damper would move and inch or more in each direction before any resistance was encountered and it made bubbling noises at the same time.Put this on the list to check on higher mileage LDs.Larry
Re: Steering Damper Reply #2 – April 13, 2012, 12:24:44 pm Yahoo Message Number: 129811A steering damper is essentially a horizontal shock absorber, it reduces the steering wheel kick (yank) when you hit a one-wheel bump, also slightly reduces the constant back and forth motion caused by sway. Because it is basically a tube, with a piston connected to a rod (which connects to the opposite wheel), there are small holes in the piston, so a fluid is forced through these small holes (called valves), and because this fluid is thick (a viscious oil) there is resistance to rapid movements, but very little reistance to slow movement. Most common mode of failure is leakage (the piston (which is often an exposed chrome plated rod) is wet and dirty (the oil that seeps out obviously attracts dirt). Some sttering dampners have a cover to further protect the otherwise exposed rod, but the same mode of failure exists, just becomes less visible. Some of the aftermarket steering safety devices replace this steering damper with one that has springs and other things to further reduce a sudden jerking of the wheel (in a rare blow-out), but all of those also put addition strain on a rather elaborate system designed by Ford. One question that I always have about those aftermarket steering 'safety' systems, if you have one, and a tie rod breaks, causing an accident (that not even thier system will prevent), who is to blame? Ford? I doubt it, as they would just state that you added a system not approved by them that caused added stresses, and will the aftermarket steering stabilizer company be there to back you and your case? I spent most of my career working for TRW (one of the largest steering and brake manufacturers in the world), and yes, tie rods can and do break.Ken Sannwannabe in SoCal
Steering Damper Reply #3 – April 08, 2013, 12:24:36 pm Yahoo Message Number: 138131HI Group;There has been recent talk concerning the steering stabilizer (damper). My 2007 RK now has 63000 miles on the odometer and the original equipment damper shows signs of leakage. Is the Bilstein Stabilizer the best to use in replacement? How about the Steer Safe? More important is this replacement something that I can do myself? Does the front end have to be supported when removing the original stabilizer? Can the front end drop? I do not want to try doing this and causing more problems. Suggestions?Thanks, Mike[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Re: Steering Damper Reply #4 – April 08, 2013, 03:12:02 pm Yahoo Message Number: 138133Mike- Sounds like it is time to change it out! Any signs of moist ends means that it is probably nearing the end of its life. Probably one of the easiest DIY tasks on your LD. Nope, no support needed. I believe you need a 15mm wrench. There is a stud on one end, and a bolt/nut on the other. Unscrew both ends, pull the old one out and put the new one in the same direction as the the old one. I always take a cell phone picture before removing just so I can can rest assured it was re-installed correctly. Brand is totally ups to you. Bilstein costs around $90 and is what I use. Monroe makes one you can pick up at your local parts store for around $40. There is also Rancho which sells for around $70. If we were talking about a Class A gas RV with a sub-standard chassis Steer Safe may be something to research. But you're coach was built on the best available chassis and what was provided from the factory should suffice. Save yourself an hours labor and enjoy the satisfaction of repairing your own LD! One thing I cant answer is what torque the bolts should be... I just tightened mine with a breaker bar...Tim
Re: Steering Damper Reply #5 – April 08, 2013, 03:25:08 pm Yahoo Message Number: 138135Mike, Here's the one I used: http://www.amazon.com/Monroe-SC2955-Magnum-Steering-Damper/dp/B000C59SCEIt's heavier duty than the stock unit and $31.00 with free shipping from Amazon. Works great and takes 10 minutes at most to replace. No jacking or supports needed.Bob Laguna Mountain BLM recreation area As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
Re: Steering Damper Reply #6 – April 08, 2013, 05:10:37 pm Yahoo Message Number: 138139QuoteOne thing I cant answer is what torque the bolts should be... I just tightened mine with a breaker bar... The factory service manual DVD I have for my 2002 lists 50-68 ft-lbs.Art
Re: Steering Damper Reply #7 – April 09, 2013, 08:58:08 am Yahoo Message Number: 138153Thanks, Art... How would I get my hands on one of those factory service manuals? I'm wondering if my 2001 has a dra
Re: Steering Damper Reply #8 – April 09, 2013, 12:55:58 pm Yahoo Message Number: 138162Quote Thanks, Art... How would I get my hands on one of those factory service manuals? I'm wondering if my 2001 has a drain plug in the torque converter. And how many quarts of ATF is required for a filter change. It has been at least 10 years since I bought it, but it was most likely from Helm, Inc. ( http://www.helminc.com ). It looks like they have one for 2001 (under Econoline), but it is $190.HTH, Art
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Topic: Steering Damper (Read 9 times)
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