Steering damper

R

Rice

Member
I have read many post on here about steering dampers and understand they do not fix the problem. I have too much play in my 32 steering box and sometimes I can tell I am on the edge of a wobble. Until I can fix the box, I decided to try a SoCal damper. Wow, much more stable. I am now more at ease driving. Thanks for the help.
 
I got one for mine, but have not installed it yet. I'm trying to figure out the best way to anchor it to the radius rod. I'm wondering why the angle on that end?
 
RalphM said:
I got one for mine, but have not installed it yet. I'm trying to figure out the best way to anchor it to the radius rod. I'm wondering why the angle on that end?
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It's angled because it is actually made to fit a VW bug.

You can hook it to the wishbone; but I usually see them mounted between the axle and tie rod.
 
I didn't try it there, I'll see if it is possible, I have holes in my axle.
Rice, how did you mount yours?
 
A steering damper is actually a coverup for one or more problems with the front axle, wheels, and the steering gear or associated linkage. Usually it shows up as an uncontrollable shimmy that requires slowing or stopping to make it stop. Check for a slightly bent wheel or out of round tire by swapping front and back wheels. Be sure the steering box is well fastened to the frame, and that the pitman are is tight on its shaft.
 
All 5 of my deuces have steering dampers and they all have new suspension. I just do it because it makes driving more of a pleasure. I get mine from either So-Cal or Pete and Jake's.
 
I love them. I anchor them to the wishbone with a flatpiece welded to the wishbone to spread the load out and the lug welded to flat piece.
 
I put one on my 46 pickup/woodie last week and I had gone through the front end but it's even better with a damper. A lot of newer cars came with them and of course their front ends were factory new.
 
they are not only to cure a problem but also take a lot of shock out of the wheels. have one on my '41 and helps a lot especially on diagonal seams going on and off highway bridges.
 
I put a VW damper on my AV8 and it works great especially on diagonal bumps and hi/low ruts. The VW part is inexpensive so shop around. No need to go to SoCal.
 
RalphM, I straighten the bend on the rod, attached a piece of angle to the wishbone and put the bolt through that. I did put new threads on the bolt all the way up.
 
Any year type 1sedan or air cooled bus.
Most all foreign parts suppliers stock them
Or on-line vendors that specialize in VW.
 
Rice said:
RalphM, I straighten the bend on the rod, attached a piece of angle to the wishbone and put the bolt through that. I did put new threads on the bolt all the way up.
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I straightened out mine also. Made a bracket and mounted to the wishbone too.
 
Rice said:
RalphM, I straighten the bend on the rod, attached a piece of angle to the wishbone and put the bolt through that. I did put new threads on the bolt all the way up.
Click to expand...

I thought if heating and straightening it, but didn't want to weaken it at the tip, or heat the rod enough to cause the seal to leak.
 
Ieft it bent at the angle and tacked the lug to the plate on the wishbone and worked the wheels left to right and it found its happy placed then tacked the other end of the lug amd worked it and again left to right to make sure it didnt bind. Then took it apart and welded up the lug.
 
I found a Moog part number online. SSD58. Im going to check with a local import parts warehouse in the morning
 
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