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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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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?