Steering shock observations.

[cruiserdan]

Nice timing on this Dan. So I've had my OME damper sitting on the cart for some 5 years now because it came sans hardware. What do I need to put this thing on? Can I re-use the original hardware or do I need to source something else?

You will need OME hardware since the mounting method is completely different. I apologize that I do not have a pic to offer up. I was in such a hurry to put it on that I did not take pics....

You will need two mounting pins, two lock washers, two flat washers and 4 nylock nuts.

 

[medtro]

Here is the one Slee recomended and I used

http://www.thetoolwarehouse.net/shop/OTC-7315A.html

or get this set for a small price difference http://www.thetoolwarehouse.net/shop/OTC-6295.html

Plus the box looks really nice sitting on the computer desk

 

[jditom]

or get this set for a small price difference http://www.thetoolwarehouse.net/shop/OTC-6295.html

Plus the box looks really nice sitting on the computer desk

That is a sweet set for any wrench head

 

[Tapage]

Here is the one Slee recomended and I used

http://www.thetoolwarehouse.net/shop/OTC-7315A.html

thanks .. ! I gonna search one of those ..

 

[RavenTai]

Here is the one Slee recomended and I used

http://www.thetoolwarehouse.net/shop/OTC-7315A.html

I have one that looks identical, can't remember where I got it (Mac truck?), works great, on very stuborn TRE's (like my northern 62) leave the nut on the stud as this one can mushroom the end of the stud if you are really tightening it.

 

[-Spike-]

OK, all you aftermarket parts lovers (this includes you now CDan), here's a wrench for your OME party. When I installed my OME steering stabiliser as part of my Slee 6" lift, I noticed that it doesn't have the same travel as the original stocker. It bottoms out and fully extends to the stop when putting the wheel through it's full travel. Anyone else have or notice this problem? I remind myself of this every time I am tempted to go full turn. I could adjust the steering stops, but that would suck.

CDan, you running out to your truck yet?

-Spike

 

[RCFloyd]

Hey guys, whatdaya think of this Steering Stabilizer?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=4631807263&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:VRI

I saw it on ebay and have been thinking of giving it a go. Seems to have some great feedback along with some write-ups in OZ magazines...

Rob

 

[landtank]

I could adjust the steering stops, but that would suck.

Don't mess with those stops for any reason! When evaluating caster it's important to be able to make a full sweep of the wheel.

Now if it's true that these dampers limit the turning of the wheels then people with these mounted would get a lower, false, caster reading compared to running the OEM.

Nice catch!

 

[-Spike-]

Nice catch!

Only if I'm not the only one seeing this. Anyone else?

-Spike

 

[Darwood]

Don't mess with those stops for any reason! When evaluating caster it's important to be able to make a full sweep of the wheel.

Yes but bottoming out a shock is far worse than throwing off a caster reading from a machine. If the shock is indeed not going full turn adjusting the steering stops would be a good thing. I haven't noticed if the stabilizer limits or not but I really didn't pay that much attention.

 

[cruiserdan]

OK, all you aftermarket parts lovers (this includes you now CDan), here's a wrench for your OME party. When I installed my OME steering stabiliser as part of my Slee 6" lift, I noticed that it doesn't have the same travel as the original stocker. It bottoms out and fully extends to the stop when putting the wheel through it's full travel. Anyone else have or notice this problem? I remind myself of this every time I am tempted to go full turn. I could adjust the steering stops, but that would suck.

CDan, you running out to your truck yet?

-Spike

My OME shock does not bottom out in either direction and my steering stops are properly adjusted.


Perhaps you got the wrong shock?

 

[landtank]

Yes but bottoming out a shock is far worse than throwing off a caster reading from a machine. If the shock is indeed not going full turn adjusting the steering stops would be a good thing. I haven't noticed if the stabilizer limits or not but I really didn't pay that much attention.

I'd disagree, most everyone here allows their suspension travel to be limited by the shocks without much issue. If you mess with those stops they can be readjusted quite easily but I doubt you would have an easy time finding someone who could do it properly.


I have my OME damper out as well as the OEM and I'll compare them as well as post the P# of what I have.

 

[landtank]

My OME damper is about 1" shorter than the stock unit when fully extended. With the wheels turned full to the left there is about 1/4" to spare in that direction. So it seems that it will be fine for my truck.

The OME part# on mine is OMESD24

Hope this helps

 

[RavenTai]

Hey guys, whatdaya think of this Steering Stabilizer?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=4631807263&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:VRI

I saw it on ebay and have been thinking of giving it a go. Seems to have some great feedback along with some write-ups in OZ magazines...

Rob

spring loaded steering stabilizer? why?

I like my steering to feel the same in both directions not spring loaded in one direction.

mouting is wrong anyway

 

[-Spike-]

C'mon Raven, use your intuitive thinking abilities. The spring would resist collapsing and stretching. I'm sure they have more than one mounting option. I don't see the need for it either, but it should function fine. Might give you a false center though, if it's not adjusted exactly right.

-Spike

 

[RavenTai]

ahhh, good catch,

there is something wrong with using a coil spring is tension that I cannot put into words. it is just not something I normally see.

 

[ats4x4dotcom]

The spring loaded return to centre dampers have less hydo force than the standard damper.

We have been making some with 80% more hydro force than standard for 35" + tyres, which seem to be the right setting for hwy/road/offroad use.

We also started now fitting the Fox steering dampers, [8.9" travel] with slightly less valving for smaller tyres, and have found them to stay more consistant.

The steering damper will make your vehicle track straight on the road, stop kick back through the wheel, improve road feel, and even go some way to preventing tyre shake when caster is incorrect.

 

[IdahoDoug]

I can see a steering damper improving kick back and tire shake, but will disagree with you on road feel and tracking improvements. Those last two qualities have to do with suspension and steering geometry, rather than damping movements of the steering system.

Having said that, Fox seems to make very high quality products in every market they participate in.

Regards,

DougM

 

[Darwood]

I'd disagree, most everyone here allows their suspension travel to be limited by the shocks without much issue. If you mess with those stops they can be readjusted quite easily but I doubt you would have an easy time finding someone who could do it properly.


I have my OME damper out as well as the OEM and I'll compare them as well as post the P# of what I have.

I hope everyones up travel on their shocks is limited by their bump stops or their shocks won't last long after a few large bottoming out bumps. Shocks don't make good bump stops. On most trucks the shocks are the limiting factor in down travel but in normal usage one doesn't usually top out their shock, however baja trucks do and they use limiting straps to save their shocks from the abuse.

So I disagree, the steering stops should be adjusted to stop rubbing and or bottoming out of the steering stabilizer (which I'm not convinced is an issue). Beside the steering stop bracket on the axle housing likes to bend from usage anyway so the factory "adjustment" is off on most 80's anyhow.

 

[ats4x4dotcom]

I can see a steering damper improving kick back and tire shake, but will disagree with you on road feel and tracking improvements. Those last two qualities have to do with suspension and steering geometry, rather than damping movements of the steering system.

Having said that, Fox seems to make very high quality products in every market they participate in.

Regards,

DougM

Doug,
esecially on truck rutted hwys, and where camber changes exist, as well as bumpier roads, the steering damper will help hold the wheel in the straight ahaed position, and will help the car "track" straighter, up the road.

As you said, alot as to do with what you mentioned, but the steering damper is a part of the picture.

I know we have tried it, in tuning and valving steering dampers for different vehicles, to suit different set ups, rim offsets, and tyre sizes, and that is what we have discovered in doing so.