....Steering dampers - Am I been thick here?

[Ja1983]

Right, long story short...
Bought a britfart super cellular piece of * steering damper, which was sent back to paddocks after 4 months (valving bust). 2 weeks on, after hearing nothing I rang Paddocks, and was told its been sent to britfart for inspection, but could take a while as they get a lot of returns (!)  :lol:

I asked them to send me the best quality steering damper that is not made by britfart.. they sent me a delphi decarbon damper.

I was suspicious then half of it was plastic, and half of it was orange, but continued unwrapping it.

When I removed the packing band, it immediatley showed its happines by extending to full size!

My question: Surely a steering damper should be a "static" type one, rather than a pre-loaded (like normal shock absorber) one, as the extension will cause it to push the front rod over to the left, making steering dodgy?!

The standard kit from landrover didnt extend, it just slowly moved back and forth (until it died anyway)?

are aptermarket parts a bit of a con?! or am I just been a 'tard?

[lambert]

one would suspect it was packed at it's minimum so it will open out, can you open it further than where it came to rest, i.e. does it self center?

[Disco Matt]

De Carbon shock absorbers are great, so I'd be amazed if their steering dampers are bad although I agree that they probably shouldn't expand when opened!  :lol:

The plastic is just a protective shroud around the exposed part of the piston - like the rubber boots on other brands but a rigid section rather than flexi. Don't be put off by the orange - they're a reputable manufacturer and not related in any way to a certain supplier of orange "extreme" bits.

I've had a set of their shocks on my Disco for about four years now and they're brilliant, I'd definitely buy them again.

[dxmedia]

If its gas charged it will expand.

[jay2578]

I think the question should be- "can you easily compress it again?" I agree with dxmedia

[hairyasswelder]

Got one on mine, did exactly the same but seems better than the one I had on.
When compressed by hane it is alot easier to push than a shock.

Thought as you did, but fitted it just so I didnt look stupid taking it back and it works fine  :clap:

[Range Rover Blues]

Had one, fitteed it (big muscles) worked fine, highly recomended.

Trying to remeober here but I think I ended up fitting a DC Defneder one to the RRC using a Defender drag link and drilling the steering guard.

Anyhoo, I founf that on a car with a 2" lift and no castor correction that it DID shift the centre point of the steering ie it made it drift.  With the correct 2+ degrees of castor you won't really notice.

It's pressurised to stop the oil foaming, it can take a lot of hammer without fading.

the plastic just stops the piston getting chipped.  Plastic doesn't rust and it can be removed to check the piston rod.  If a meta one takes a clout if will chaffe the damper housing, I like plastic covers.

Orange paint, so you can tell it's still clean.


No seriously, if it gets engine oil contaiminated that's not good for the seals.

Nothing" tardy" about asking questions, those of us "in the know" know because we've been there and done that.