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Steering damper?

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Old Apr 19, 2014 | 02:50 PM
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Steering damper?

I'm finally getting around to putting in my power steering come Monday, did the disc brakes a few months back. My donor truck came with a steering damper. I did a quick search on here but didn't come up with much info.

So what do you guys think? Should I add the dampner to the truck or leave it off? A new dampener is only $20 from the parts store. But is it worth it?

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Old Apr 19, 2014 | 11:37 PM
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Has nobody used a steering damper?
 
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Old Apr 20, 2014 | 09:23 AM
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Originally Posted by HillBillyBuddha
Has nobody used a steering damper?
I asked the question last year when I was still rebuilding my front end and most of the answer had the tone of fixing wore parts. My front end is completely rebuilt (including steering boc) and she cruised comfortably down the highway at 65 yesterday.

That being said, I have had steering wheels stripped from my hands while crossing pastures and navigating rutted out dirt roads. These were manual steering boxes, and I do not remember the same pain experience on newer trucks with a power steering.

If you frequently go off road it might be a good ideal. If not, it could slow you down in an emergency maneuver. Keep replacing parts if your steering is loose.
 
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Old Apr 20, 2014 | 12:02 PM
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Actually, I am not asking because of steering issues. I was asking because it was on later trucks. I figured Ford did it for a reason. I figured they weren't going to spend the extra money on something that didn't make some sort of improvement. Anyway, for 20 some odd bucks, I can try it and if I don't like the feel, I won't feel like I've wasted a bunch of money.
 
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Old Apr 20, 2014 | 02:07 PM
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Originally Posted by Macs1964F100
That being said, I have had steering wheels stripped from my hands while crossing pastures and navigating rutted out dirt roads. These were manual steering boxes, and I do not remember the same pain experience on newer trucks with a power steering.

If you frequently go off road it might be a good ideal. If not, it could slow you down in an emergency maneuver. Keep replacing parts if your steering is loose.
A few of my friends make fun of the way I hold the steering wheel - with all five fingers on the outside. They just don't understand.
 
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Old Apr 20, 2014 | 02:08 PM
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2wd I am guessing? What size tires? Most likely not, steering dampners are used to help control big fat meats, or worn components on your steering system. I have never needed one on a 2wd truck.
 
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Old Apr 20, 2014 | 07:03 PM
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Originally Posted by 1972RedNeck
A few of my friends make fun of the way I hold the steering wheel - with all five fingers on the outside. They just don't understand.
Nearly broke my thumb many years ago only happens once
 
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Old Apr 20, 2014 | 07:32 PM
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I put one on my 66 f100 2 wheel cause I had big tires and was thinking it would help but there wasn't a heck of a lot of difference that I could tell. I have all new parts on the front end also. Tom
 
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Old Apr 20, 2014 | 07:43 PM
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Originally Posted by HillBillyBuddha
Anyway, for 20 some odd bucks, I can try it and if I don't like the feel, I won't feel like I've wasted a bunch of money.
I have 2 or 3 shelfs of those "20 some odd bucks" and I feel pretty good about most of them. Paint of bright yellow and it will look cool.
 
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Old Apr 21, 2014 | 05:05 AM
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I've removed the damper shock from all the trucks I've ever owned with all size tires on them, and never needed one. I think if you keep your front end in good shape and greased you don't need one.
 
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Old Apr 22, 2014 | 12:53 PM
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Originally Posted by 1972RedNeck
- with all five fingers on the outside.
Five fingers?!? I knew there was something different about you, just didn't know what until now. Do you have any thumbs? Some people use the expression that they are "All Thumbs", but you are "All Fingers", eh?

Or are you missing both thumbs and three fingers, thus only leaving five fingers? Manual steering whipped back a few too many times before you noticed?
 
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Old Apr 23, 2014 | 10:04 AM
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Originally Posted by 1972RedNeck
A few of my friends make fun of the way I hold the steering wheel - with all five fingers on the outside. They just don't understand.
X200000000
 
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