Replacement Steering Damper
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More Turbo
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 535
Likes: 13
From: California High Desert
Replacement Steering Damper
On my last camping trip I realized that my OEM steering damper was leaking, so I guess it's time to replace it. I just wanted to get a consensus on what brand I should go with for the replacement (Moog, Monroe, Rancho, Motorcraft, etc…) and whether or not the boot is important. I want something affordable, but still reliable. Some factors that may affect the decision are that I live in a very dry desert climate and that I don't do a lot of serious off road driving. When I do go off road I rarely see any mud except when my driveway turns into a mud hole for a few weeks each year in the winter.
I’ll probably replace it here in a week or two when I also replace my front diff fluid since my front diff cover is leaking as well
. Thanks to all the write-ups that have been done on it by the members here, it should be a straightforward job 
. Maybe if I'm feeling really productive I'll do the rear diff and xfer case as well.
I’ll probably replace it here in a week or two when I also replace my front diff fluid since my front diff cover is leaking as well
. Thanks to all the write-ups that have been done on it by the members here, it should be a straightforward job . Maybe if I'm feeling really productive I'll do the rear diff and xfer case as well.
Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,624
Likes: 7
From: OR and UT
I replaced my stocker with a Rancho RS5000 and did not install the boot simply because the stocker did not have a boot and it lasted 150,000 miles with no damage due to not having a boot.
Unfortunately, our first trip out I discovered my new Rancho was busted at the end of the shaft. I found some dents on the underside that looks like I hit something in the road. They weren't big dents and I am questioning whether or not it should have broken with only about 200 miles on it, but it did.
I replaced it with the same and am hoping Rancho will warranty the first one, but I'm not holding my breath.
Unfortunately, our first trip out I discovered my new Rancho was busted at the end of the shaft. I found some dents on the underside that looks like I hit something in the road. They weren't big dents and I am questioning whether or not it should have broken with only about 200 miles on it, but it did.
I replaced it with the same and am hoping Rancho will warranty the first one, but I'm not holding my breath.
Senior User
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 471
Likes: 1
From: Pocatello, Idaho
I also replaced mine with the Rancho RS5000, and in 8 months of use with just normal on road driving it is already leaking. I ordered mine off the internet, and rancho says I can take it to any local Rancho dealer to switch it out under warrenty. I contacted a place and they don't want to warrenty it since I didn't buy from them. So I might have to ship it right to Rancho. My truck rarely see's off road conditions.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 192
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From: MA
I installed the rancho as well and less then a year later it was shot! Just replaced it with a Monroe I got at napa fir 42$. I've heard decent things about them so I went for it. I took the boot of my busted rancho and putvit on the Monroe. I prefer boots just to keep grit and grime from getting by. It's like insurance , plus I think it looks better w/ 1.
Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,624
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From: OR and UT
Junior User
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 92
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From: Central California
Here's a write up I did on my search for a replacement damper. Check it out there's a lot of good info
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...l#post10026096
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...l#post10026096
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Elder User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 819
Likes: 3
From: Putnam Valley, New York
STEERING DAMPER
I replaced my 1 year old OEM damper with a Monroe unit about 5 years ago---still going fine. I think it was under $20 back then.
RON
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Joined: Dec 2006
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From: San Diego, CA
The boot is a personal choice. I currently have a Pro Comp steering damper on mine (which is probably a Monroe built to Pro Comp specs) and I'm happy with it. I would invest in a nicer unit, but I do a lot of off-roading and the damper takes it's share of shots being in front of the axle housing regardless of how hard I try to not damage it.
My tires are not that big (about 33 x 11.50") so the OEM single stabilizer design still suits me fine and does the job without any problem. The only recommendation I would make is to make sure it is a steering stabilizer (basically a shock that is designed to be operated horizontally) and not a shock absorber (designed to be operated vertically). You can save some $$$ (a shock will be about 1/2 the price of a stabilizer), but from what I understand the oil will foam up if you use a shock and you lose the damping effect.
My tires are not that big (about 33 x 11.50") so the OEM single stabilizer design still suits me fine and does the job without any problem. The only recommendation I would make is to make sure it is a steering stabilizer (basically a shock that is designed to be operated horizontally) and not a shock absorber (designed to be operated vertically). You can save some $$$ (a shock will be about 1/2 the price of a stabilizer), but from what I understand the oil will foam up if you use a shock and you lose the damping effect.
Thread Starter
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More Turbo
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 535
Likes: 13
From: California High Desert
The only recommendation I would make is to make sure it is a steering stabilizer (basically a shock that is designed to be operated horizontally) and not a shock absorber (designed to be operated vertically). You can save some $$$ (a shock will be about 1/2 the price of a stabilizer), but from what I understand the oil will foam up if you use a shock and you lose the damping effect.
Thank you everyone for your input so far. I'll probably just end up getting a Monroe that I can buy locally, that way if there is any problem I can handle it locally and not worry about shipping back to someone.
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