Hey folks,
I've got a quick question to you guys. My son recently took my F250 off-road, and badly damaged a steering damper. I went online to check what to do with it, and read that it's not mandatory to replace it, and the truck will drive ok even without it. So I am wondering if that's really so? I was under impression that without a damper the steering will be poor...
Has anyone ever faced such problem? Did you have the damper replaced?
Thanks!
Steering damper broken
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Ranchero50
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Re: Steering damper broken
Without the dampener my 74k mile F350 wandered around the road and followed every crack. With it the truck still needs steering inputs but it doesn't drive you crazy.
'70 F-350 CS Cummins 6BT 10klb truck 64k mile Bahama Blue
Contact me for CNC Dome Lamp Bezels and Ash Tray pulls.
Contact me for CNC Dome Lamp Bezels and Ash Tray pulls.
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1972hiboy
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Re: Steering damper broken
Steering damper is a beautiful thing to have. Id replace it.
Rich
1973 f350 super c/s 460/c6 22k orig miles
1972 f350 srw crewcab special 390
1972 f250 4x4 sport custom 390fe Red
1972 f250 4x4 custom 360 FE " Ranger Ric"
1972 f250 4x4 custom 84k og miles 390
1971 f250 4x4 sport custom 56k og miles. 360
1970 f250 4x4 428 fe hp60 205 d60
Dont eat yellow snow.....
1973 f350 super c/s 460/c6 22k orig miles
1972 f350 srw crewcab special 390
1972 f250 4x4 sport custom 390fe Red
1972 f250 4x4 custom 360 FE " Ranger Ric"
1972 f250 4x4 custom 84k og miles 390
1971 f250 4x4 sport custom 56k og miles. 360
1970 f250 4x4 428 fe hp60 205 d60
Dont eat yellow snow.....
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eggman918
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Re: Steering damper broken
Steve
The"Filthy Beast"- '68 F-250 Crew Cab 131"W/B 4x4 4BT compounds hx30/Wh1c,5x.012" sac injectors/ZF 5/NP203-205 /3.54 44 trutrack front/60 trutrack rear on 33's. 2nd owner
"Beauty is only skin deep....Ugly is to the bone"
It is more important to understand what you don't know than what you do know,because then you can start to learn..???
"you must deal with the attaboys and the ass chewing s with your head up and looking them in the eyes" T.J.E. aka My Dad
There are only three types of people wolves, sheepdogs, and sheep. What are you?
The"Filthy Beast"- '68 F-250 Crew Cab 131"W/B 4x4 4BT compounds hx30/Wh1c,5x.012" sac injectors/ZF 5/NP203-205 /3.54 44 trutrack front/60 trutrack rear on 33's. 2nd owner
"Beauty is only skin deep....Ugly is to the bone"
It is more important to understand what you don't know than what you do know,because then you can start to learn..???
"you must deal with the attaboys and the ass chewing s with your head up and looking them in the eyes" T.J.E. aka My Dad
There are only three types of people wolves, sheepdogs, and sheep. What are you?
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FreeStyleR
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Re: Steering damper broken
Thanks for advice, guys. I guess I will also get it replaced. Checked online for the new one, and an aftermarket steering damper is only $40 (https://www.carid.com/steering-dampers/). I am going to order it today and have the truck fixed. Not that expensive, as dealership wanted to charge me something over $120...
By the way, I am getting a Motorcraft part. Heard that they are the same as OEMs, so hoping the quality will be fine.
By the way, I am getting a Motorcraft part. Heard that they are the same as OEMs, so hoping the quality will be fine.
Last edited by FreeStyleR on Fri Jan 20, 2017 10:11 am, edited 2 times in total.
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Rocket Doctor
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Re: Steering damper broken
Best to replace it. Yes, the truck is still driveable. Countless older trucks running around out there with beat/bashed/abused/busted dampers out there, but, a steering damper is the LEAST of their problems!
I drove a 67 F100 4X4, as did my brothers and Dad, without one. (still own that truck, BTW) When Dad finally DID install one, my youngest Bro' promptly took it out, put it against a stump and bent the shaft badly enough that it had to be removed before it could be driven home.
On My trucks, the biggest problem I have with a missing, or worn out damper is wander, and 'wobble' or pulsations that I feel in the steering wheel. They help a bit to keep your tires from wearing out prematurely, but the biggest asset is safety.
I drove a 67 F100 4X4, as did my brothers and Dad, without one. (still own that truck, BTW) When Dad finally DID install one, my youngest Bro' promptly took it out, put it against a stump and bent the shaft badly enough that it had to be removed before it could be driven home.
On My trucks, the biggest problem I have with a missing, or worn out damper is wander, and 'wobble' or pulsations that I feel in the steering wheel. They help a bit to keep your tires from wearing out prematurely, but the biggest asset is safety.
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eggman918
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Re: Steering damper broken
Mine is mounted behind and above the center line of the tie rod and the damper has survived 25+ years in that location 
Steve
The"Filthy Beast"- '68 F-250 Crew Cab 131"W/B 4x4 4BT compounds hx30/Wh1c,5x.012" sac injectors/ZF 5/NP203-205 /3.54 44 trutrack front/60 trutrack rear on 33's. 2nd owner
"Beauty is only skin deep....Ugly is to the bone"
It is more important to understand what you don't know than what you do know,because then you can start to learn..???
"you must deal with the attaboys and the ass chewing s with your head up and looking them in the eyes" T.J.E. aka My Dad
There are only three types of people wolves, sheepdogs, and sheep. What are you?
The"Filthy Beast"- '68 F-250 Crew Cab 131"W/B 4x4 4BT compounds hx30/Wh1c,5x.012" sac injectors/ZF 5/NP203-205 /3.54 44 trutrack front/60 trutrack rear on 33's. 2nd owner
"Beauty is only skin deep....Ugly is to the bone"
It is more important to understand what you don't know than what you do know,because then you can start to learn..???
"you must deal with the attaboys and the ass chewing s with your head up and looking them in the eyes" T.J.E. aka My Dad
There are only three types of people wolves, sheepdogs, and sheep. What are you?
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FreeStyleR
- New Member
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- Joined: Thu Dec 29, 2016 9:14 am
Re: Steering damper broken
Thank you guys, you convinced me to get it installed. Yesterday ordered that Motorcraft, so hope to get it and install sometime this weekend.
