Might be a newbie question, but here goes.
I am still fairly stock and decided to replace the worn steering dampner to remove some of the shimmy I get sometimes when I hit bumps. Since I plan to replace soon with Toy axles, Is this important to keep in place for daily driver/offroad?
I appreciate the help in advance!
Loren

I don't use one and I haven't killed myself yet

Are you using toy axles?

well its there for a reason, locked front no power steering and wheeling with a blown dampner and i have scars on my hand from the wheel moving uncontrolably fast and taking the skin off

also keeps yah from breakin thumbs if yah bump into a rock

All you have to do to avoid breaking a thumb is not wrap it around the steering wheel-- problem solved!

When I got my zuk the stabilizer was leaking but it stopped, so I tell myself it's fixed... until I'm driving down the road and hit a bump, at which point it's painfully obvious it's not. :D

If you can managed to fabricate a way to run the stabilizer, do it... but if you have power steering it won't be a huge ordeal to not have it.

well its there for a reason, locked front no power steering and wheeling with a blown dampner and i have scars on my hand from the wheel moving uncontrolably fast and taking the skin off

also keeps yah from breakin thumbs if yah bump into a rock
x2
steering wheel was an occilating blur busting down the cobbles on wentworth springs. put damper on yota axle and now one-hand it. made huge difference flat towing too - doesn't flap to lock on sharp bend and a bump anymore.

I hadn't thought of that aspect. I can definitely put one back on the toyota axle. Is there a difference between a shock and a damper?
Loren

shock only dampens on extension. damper provides resistance on compression and extension.

shock only dampens on extension. damper provides resistance on compression and extension.

A shock dampen's both. The steering damper is made to lay flat as the shock is designed to be run up an down. So yes the are diff.

I'm running Toys and no steering stabilizer, but have Sidekick ps. No bump steer. A lot of bump steer is caused by worn bushings, bearings, etc.

bump steer has nothing at all to do with a steering stabilizer.
I don't run one, don't think they are worth dealing with.

bump steer has nothing at all to do with a steering stabilizer.
I don't run one, don't think they are worth dealing with.

True! Thanks for the correction. Reading too quickly and read "hit bumps".

Since I now have a brand new dampner (for a samurai), I was thinking of retaining it. Problems I will encounter? Will it flex sufficiently with the axle? Would rocks tear it up? How much comfort does it offer the daily driver?
Loren

If it is the dampner that goes from the frame to the pitman arm axle flex will not affect it. The ones that mount to the axle I found get alot of rock rash and dents. I switched to side kick PS on my SJ and mounted the sammy braket to the side kick pitman arm. Didn't really need it with PS but it's there if I need it

Sounds like I could still use it and reap the benefits of improved flat towing.
Loren

When I ran with SPOA, 31's and no power steering and a z-bar I loved having the dampner. Kept the shimmy to a minimum on rough parts of the highway and on wash board roads. It did slow the wheel down some when wheeling so it didn't quite whip out of your hands when hitting a large rock or such.

Went to toy power steering, and took it off and didn't notice any difference without it. Granted all my steering components were in good shape, angles were all correct and such. Running 35" tires, never had death wobble, even when I was running leaf springs.

For the record, for the last 8 years I have flat towed mine. Never had any issue towing it as far as the steering on the zuk was concerned, with or without the dampner. Build it right and you shouldn't need to worry.

Best option, ditch the dampner and put a hydro assist ram in its place! :D

I guess that WOULD be a good option but certainly a big jump from where I am at right now!!!!! Shoot, I think having POWER STEERING would be like a cadillac compared to the worn gear box I have right now!
Loren

Running one definately is not going to hurt anything but it will probably help if you run offroad tires and a lift.

Lots of great guidance. Thanks!
Loren