Before you get your panties in a knot at this topic, Just hear me out.

Over the weekend, while playing in the mud, a tree stump managed to get wedged up between the steering guard and the front axle (D90). It bent the bar between the pirman arm and the front steering knucke (Tie rod? or track rod?) into a U shape. It bent so much that the end of the steering damper broke off.

Anyway, I've removed said arm, straightnd it, and welded on a piece of 1" box section for strenght. but I've not done anything with the broken steering damper and have been driving since sunday afternoon with no damper.

And it's fine. No new shakes or vibration.

WTF?

Should I bother replacing it?

as you have seen it is not always needed.
But when you do need it is when you'll be glad you have it.
Primarily when the tire shakes start from the clump of peat you have stuck in your wheel throwing it off balance.

So I would replace it.

merv I know KC hasn't had one for about 2 yrs and I broken mine in a similar manner to you and haven't had it for about 4 months. if you don't feel like spending the money I wouldn't worry too much about it. Looks like you'll be spending money on axles anyway so save fixing that for later.
-ben

Originally posted by m016324
merv I know KC hasn't had one for about 2 yrs and I broken mine in a similar manner to you and haven't had it for about 4 months. if you don't feel like spending the money I wouldn't worry too much about it. Looks like you'll be spending money on axles anyway so save fixing that for later.
-ben

:confused: Man, I'm not too sure about that...

Maybe if you're driving off-road ALL the time that would be OK.
But, a impact spike from hitting something or a pot hole (or a seam in the road) could get that puppy oscillating real quick which you may not be able to easily recover from.

keith
discosaurus
:usa:

jeez... they're not that fawkin expensive! You can even put in a stronger rod while your at it! Or put a guard there.

Merv just discribed what we used to call a "tank slapper" in motorcycles. ANY uncontrolled shimmy at high speed can be a real puckering experience, if not downright dangerous. But hey, it's your truck.

johnny

I'm planning to put one back on. I will prolly pick one up at billings in July, and chance it till then. Still drives fine.

I'm putting one on as a preventative thing in case of potholes, white lines etc. on the road, but in practice I've hit just about everything in the last 2 weeks and it's beek on.

Originally posted by ciocc77
Merv just discribed what we used to call a "tank slapper" in motorcycles. ANY uncontrolled shimmy at high speed can be a real puckering experience, if not downright dangerous. But hey, it's your truck.

johnny

i had this happen on my (ex) honda CBR600, about 20 seconds before i trashed it! :( :(

Damn BMW M3's! :mad: (had one hit me in the side, nearly got control back, but the old tank slapper raised its ugly head and the rest "is history")

Jamie