Steering dampers
 

If I change the steering damper on my 110 (no PAS) to an after market brand, what difference will I notice? The one I have on is a LR one which is very old, but still works fine.

I will change it, but can't find any reason not to buy one of the cheaper LR ones?

When i built my 90,i fitted an OME damper. my 110 and other 90 have a standard rover part fitted.

I find no difference whatsoever between them! saying that, mine all have PAS, whereas your's doesn't, so maybe the damper will be doing more of a job.

I don't think a bling shiny non-LR one will be much better than the factory item Darrin.

Hi Darren,

The only likely difference is that it'll take a longer time for the damper to start leaking :-)

BTW, take a look at the Landcruiser damper and notice the small holes near the end of the sleeve? If your new damper hasn't got them, that may point you in the direction of the one difference you'll notice after getting bogged down in sand a few times.

Thanks Roman, but a bit cryptic for me - what do the holes do? Is Swiss cheese a good look for a damper?

My existing damper is the original one fitted with the vehicle in 1991, so I'll hear nothing bad about Land Rover dampers!

Darrin,

The holes in LC dampers are the to prevent sand and dirt getting compacted in the sleeve. It doesn't happen often but I remember once having a problem with an OME damper which became filled with crud to the point that turning the steering wheel to one side was hardly possible.

On my first 90, waaaay before i had any money to buy a steering guard, i smacked the damper on some hard mud and it bent the "standard" LR steering protection tube back onto the damper....and caused the steering to go "tight", that's the only trouble i've ever had with a genuine LR damper.

if all components on the steering mechanism are ok,there is even no use of a steering damper.
so the cheapest solution will do the work fine.

Just to provide some feedback.

I fitted a new ome damper about 4 years ago and it survived my 3 year trip around Africa. I drive very slowly and carefully which helps i guess.