Steering Damper - or what??

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markhowes
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So , my steering shudder has returned.

This happened quite suddenly - one day it was OK, the next day the old familiar shudder at about 50mph is back.

This is how the G was when I purchased it about 2 years ago. At the time, I had the wheels balanced, the tracking adjusted and finally replaced the steering damper with a heavy duty MB one. Replacing the steering damper made the difference, as soon as I fitted it the shudder went away.

The question is, how do I prove that it's the steering damper that's at fault this time? I purchased it in May 2015 so it is still covered by the MB 2 year warranty so what is the correct procedure to follow? Presumably if I contact the dealer he's not just going to accept my word that it's at fault.

I purchased it from an MB dealer but fitted it myself (there can't be many much more straightforward jobs to do on a G Wagon).

Pistonhead
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Re: Steering Damper - or what??

Steering damper testing is easy.

Just disconnect one end of the damper and push the rod in by hand; if it pushes in easily, its the damper; if it has some resistance to it then depending upon the force applied it could be very weak or good if force needs to be applied.

Check for leaks although in my experience there has never been evidence of fluid leakage.

You may need to adapt a 'Landy' damper as I think these are heavy duty although M/B do a heavy duty version which is twice the price of the standard but I do not have history on how well these fair in service.

The dealer cannot argue on this as I see it. When you give him the damper, he'll know!

JASONGDS
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Re: Steering Damper - or what??

Check state of the bushes, I know from personal experience you can fit it wrong, and it resulted in bushes having play. Could only tell by examining off the car, some helpful engineer can easily make a bush. Or could be damper at fault,

g wagon g
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Re: Steering Damper - or what??

Hi

I had the same issues on my g wagon. I too fitted the mercedes 50mm damper

I never got back and posted my findings


Here goes. I modified a self centering heavy duty well known land rover item. I wont say the make but its terribly firm lol

Well it did not last long and my mods to it were not the cause of failure. It leaked all its oil out after 4000 miles of use. Its not bent or anything but the seal has died


The mercedes one at 100 odd pounds is still going fine after many off roading trips so they are better even after 6000 mies or so of abuse the other never saw


As said dis connect one end and if it is not stiff to move in and out with zero slack its probably fine. Take the car a run with no damper. I did many miles without one and the main time to notice any problems was long corners as in a straight line the car was fine


Let us know your findings

Arnie
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Re: Steering Damper - or what??

1.) re-check the balancing of the wheels. This will change with wear and use.

2.) check the damper as stated above.

3.) check the wheel bearings for play (excessive play would cause shuddering during braking from speeds over 40 mph)
 

markhowes
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Re: Steering Damper - or what??

OK -so have had a proper look underneath and somehow the bush has been pushed completely out of one end of the damper so it's only really attached at one end.

Apparently you used to be able to buy the ends separately but that's no longer the case. My local garage has said they will have a look and see if they have a bush that they can press into the hole to make it as good as new.

 

JASONGDS
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Re: Steering Damper - or what??

Hopefully you can get a bush sorted out, when you remount it, I would make sure each side has a good washer either side of the bush, I think on diff end as my memory serves me

markhowes
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Re: Steering Damper - or what??

Thanks Jason. Yes, I thought that was a little strange that a washer each side, as you say, isn't spec'd. Dealer sent me diagram from catalogue and there is only 1 washer shown (instead of 4, which is what I expected).

Heavy duty washers standing by.

 

JASONGDS
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Re: Steering Damper - or what??

I presume you have the little metal bracket that bolts to the diff housing?( it's part of the kit for bigger damper) Never sure if damper fits on top of bracket or below? 

markhowes
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Re: Steering Damper - or what??

That little bracket is already in place - if you mean part number 70 on this picture.

JASONGDS
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Re: Steering Damper - or what??

Yes that's the one, but unsure if same part for smaller damper or not?

markhowes
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Re: Steering Damper - or what??

Thanks for the warning Jason. I just checked with my MB parts department and he says:

There are 2 different part numbers for bracket number 70, but they aren’t for the different damper sizes.

There is a chassis break in the Front Axle numbers and the 2 options relate to earlier and later axle builds.

Just waiting for a dry spell (and no rugby) to fit.