Steering Damper

[sillysod]

Is there something I can get from Canadian Tire or NAPA that can be used as a steering damper on the RRC? I am not sure if steering dampers are pretty standardized or if - like everything else on these things - it is some "special" and of course expensive component only available through LRover dealers.

If anybody knows if a regular Monroe or Rancho or something will work please give me an update! Thanx - J

[Glenn D.]

I just put a old man emu steering dampener into my defender. It was 99$ to my door, and arrived in less than a week. Over the Holidays no less. I am very pleased with it. I ordered it through Roverparkboys.

Perhaps some of the "more senior" members may know what else you can substitute?

[ANDYD]

Hi,
I used the Old man Emu steering shock, part number OMESD11 on my 91 RRC, it was about $80 from Wise Owl.
It works great.

Check in with the suppliers on our "support link" on the RoverLanders home page.

cheers,
Andy

[sillysod]

I would like to be able to just get something generic that would work from Canadian Tire or something. If not I have heard a lot of good things about the Bilstien (sp?) one, but that would mean I have to order something in which case I would much rather deal with Rover Park in St.Albert as they have been very good to me.

This thing NEVER goes off road and barely even hits the highway so I do not need anything special, but it is starting to shudder over bumps and I don't like having vehicles that are not mechanically sound.

Thanks for all the posts & info guys. :)

[Greg S]

"I would much rather deal with Rover Park in St.Albert as they have been very good to me. "

Wise Owl IS Rover Park Boys. Wise owl is the series parts and Rover Park is the Discovery & Range Rover part of the business.

"...it is starting to shudder over bumps and I don't like having vehicles that are not mechanically sound. "

Get it fixed properly! A steering damper in this instance is only going to bandage the real problem. You have bad tie rod ends, worn suspension bushings or (most likely) need to adjust the pre-load on your swivel balls.

[sillysod]

Get it fixed properly! A steering damper in this instance is only going to bandage the real problem. You have bad tie rod ends, worn suspension bushings or (most likely) need to adjust the pre-load on your swivel balls.

I checked the tie rods and they seem to be nice and tight still, the damper is forsure shot as it has never been changed and this truck has 270,000km's on it. as far as bushings go, I havn't looked at them but I definately will. I have no idea how to adjust the pre-load on the swivel balls. I am going to be rebuilding the steering box next weekend and was planning on changing the grease in the swivel balls, so that would be a good time to "adjust them". Is it pretty straight forward?

[Greg S]

Is there a reason you want to rebuild the steering box? Just because it has some mileage on it doesn't mean it's worn out. It might even be able to have an adjustment done on it (if it needs it, and it might not). I am not sure on Rangie boxes, but manual steering boxes and other truck boxes I know of, do have an adjustment to take up some slop.

Is there signs your present damper has leaked oil? If not, it might be fine. Try disconecting one end and push and pull on it to see if it moves quickly and easily; if it moves quickly, you're right, it needs replacement, if it takes effort to push it in and pull it out, it is fine. Lordco has a Rancho unit that is supposed to fit a LanD Rover but I don't know what model.

Your shudder is likely something a WHOLE LOT cheaper than doing a steering box. If your Rangie has the same type of pre-load on the swivel balls as the series truck, then yes, it is straight forward and you need about $2.00 worth of parts. You will also need a whole day to do the job.

Anyone out there able to help with information regarding Rangie swivel ball adjustment?

[ANDYD]

Here is a great link regarding RRC steering shakes & box adjustment

http://www.rangerovers.net/repairdetail ... assic.html

Good luck,

Andy

[sillysod]

Is there a reason you want to rebuild the steering box?

I got a rebuild kit for it because it is leaking fluid like crazy. The seals are totally shot. The kit wasn't expensive (15 pounds), so I decided to do the entire thing.

I am quite mechanically inclined so I am not affraid of tackling the swivel balls, but I have never owned a vehicle with them before so I am somewhat ignorant with them.