Steering dampers

[MR-PUNANNY]

Hey lads

The steering in the 80 is really light and wonders a bit. My old one was the same. As I'll be upgrading tires soon it's going to get worse so I'm thinning about upgrading to an rtc buy have read they put a lot of stress on the oem power steering. Was thinking to get tough dog as it's $160 for the rtc. Is tough dog like k sport in the 4wd world?? What would be equivalent of cusco or tein???

[DROOPZ]

The first Zombie ran a Fox RTC and I'll be re-using it on the new build. Do you actually NEED a rtc type one, or will just a nice quality dampener be enough?

Nothing wrong with Tough Dog though.

[Suscunt]

Just get a TD oem replacement it will be suited your needs of memory of ur thread serves me correctly

[tez]

RTS dampers normally hide some other problem with your steering (on a fairly standard truck). I run a EFS one in mine and it does the job fine.

[sean]

I run a standard damper, OME from memory.

[BigJonWB]

Steering dampers are to stop kick back through the steering, not to correct light or wandering steering.

You probably have a caster issue if your steering is overly light. Have you done a suspension lift? If so you probably need caster correction plates or control arms to rectify the issue.

[MR-PUNANNY]

Thanks guys, funny thing is my old cruiser had the exact feeling, but worse. I thought it wasnt normal, so spent a bit of money doing thr front end, but it was marginally better. Have been doing research, and yep it could be castor settins. Car does have a lift, but was there before I got it. Is it due to IFS that steering is light? You can move the steering wheel fast left to right while driving, and it will still go straight haha

[takai]

The steering wheel is light on my Hilux too. Feels almost like the regulator in the power steering is set too high and so there is too much assist.

[tez]

The thing is, moving from a rack and pinion car to a car which has a steering box is always going to have steering which is a bit vague. If the 80 has a few kms on it, check the steering box, linkages etc for slop. Get someone to wiggle the wheel left and right while you look underneath.

Things to look for would be steering box, rod ends. There is also a slight adjustment you can make to the steering box to remove some of the freeplay.
Then get a wheel alignment and check out the castor. If your running negative or close to, then you'll probably need some offset castor bushes which will help the steering.

Your 80 would be a solid axle and not a independent suspension.

Short answer, check linkages and steering box and put up with it :)

[sean]

Is it due to IFS that steering is light?

That's a rare 80 Series you have there....

[BigJonWB]

Car does have a lift, but was there before I got it.

If it is lifted and has not had castor correction of some sort the castor angle will be out (reduced) which will give the light and vague steering.

[fly510]

That's a rare 80 Series you have there....

LOL.

Attention honky hater - All 80's have a live coil sprung front end. No IFS till the 100's came along.

[MR-PUNANNY]

That's a rare 80 Series you have there....

lol oops i meants Solid Axle haha!!!

Ok I ll get an alignment sorted asap!

[vet 180]

When the dampner went in the zook, the opposite to what you are describing happened was quite stiff to turn and if you let go of the steering wheel it would not return straight, felt like you could take a round about with no hands. Also had to fight it to get it straight again