Steering Damper (stabilizer) replacement

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cullendw
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Steering Damper (stabilizer) replacement

Post by cullendw »

Hi,

I have just discovered that my steering damper casing is crumbling to pieces (it looks like it was damaged some time back and has corroded over time). I am planning to replace it and was just wondering if it is worthwhile getting an ome steering damper instead of the stock standard one?
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Daniel Cullender
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Re: Steering Damper (stabilizer) replacement

Post by Peter Connan »

It may go some way toward reducing the steering wheel shimmy which Patrols are quite prone to, particularly when larger wheels are fitted. Some people mistakenly call this the "death wobble" but that is something different although some of the causes are common.

I am not sure what the cost difference is though.
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Re: Steering Damper (stabilizer) replacement

Post by cullendw »

Hi Peter,

Thanks for the reply. I am planning to put bigger wheels so I will definetly keep that in mind.

I have just received a quote from 4x4megaworld of R1700 which is rather pricy. I am waiting for nissan to get back to me with their quote, I will post the difference when I know.
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Re: Steering Damper (stabilizer) replacement

Post by Russ Kellermann »

Hizit,

Also consider the Gabriel Safari unit. In fact, Gabriel has just brought out a new range of Heavy Duty Gas shocks ( lime green in colour), they claim to be as tough and ready as Auzzi made brands,yet are not as costly. I cannot say for sure but perhaps they manufacturing Steering dampers to match the kit ?, worth a phone call i'd say.

Please let us know further progress.
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Re: Steering Damper (stabilizer) replacement

Post by cullendw »

Hi russ,

Thanks for the lead. I phoned around and seems that gabriel safari only stocks dampers for patrols from 82 to 90 models and they were going for R370.00 so significantly cheaper.
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Daniel Cullender
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Re: Steering Damper (stabilizer) replacement

Post by Russ Kellermann »

Thats Weird!

That means no steering dampers for GU's / Y61 ? interesting.
'07 Patrol Pickup TD42 N/A,285's KM2,3" Lift,ONCA Bars,Warn High Mount,Alu Canopy, and some other Stuff.
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Re: Steering Damper (stabilizer) replacement

Post by cullendw »

It is strange, and I phoned two different places for quotes. FYI -Ironman quoted R1700.00. I am still waiting for ni.ssan to give me a call
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Re: Steering Damper (stabilizer) replacement

Post by AndriesS »

You might have more luck if you measure your shock and ask a shop to match the specs. Might get more hits this way than asking for a catalogue reference.
You can measure the min and max (i.e. full in and full out).

It would be interesting to know if gas charged shocks is good or bad as they tend to always "push out" and number of people might even claim or have experienced a lift after fitted gas charged shocks.
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Re: Steering Damper (stabilizer) replacement

Post by Peter Connan »

Because on the Patrol the right-hand end of the damper is mounted on the panhard rod (suspension/chassis) and the left-hand end on the drag link (steering arm), I suspect that a gas shock used here would worsen the leftish drift common to Patrols here in SA where we drive on the left?

For this reason, I would be hesitant to be the guenea-pig for this mod.

Also, a shock designed for use as a shock rather than a steering damper would have radically different bump (compression) and rebound (extending) rates. And while this might work, I wonder if it wouldn't have a significant effect on the car's handling characteristics. For this reason, I would be hesitant to use anything that was not designed to be a steering damper.

By the way the Nissan manual actually specifies the rates for the steering damper. I only have the manual for the Y60, but on this the spec is: Extending direction: 3629N, compressed direction: 2844N Both these are measured at 0.3m/s (1ft/s)
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Re: Steering Damper (stabilizer) replacement

Post by cullendw »

Nissan came back to me, they quoted R1200. Unfortunately I am am an amateur mechanic at best (trying to rectify that though :biggrin: ) so I will definitively stick to the beaten path with this one. Thanks for all the input.
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Daniel Cullender
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