Birty Dastards Jeep Club

Tech Forum => Workshop => Topic started by: Warwick Wendy on June 01, 2009, 01:51:06 PM

Title: Steering damper replaced 2 months ago
Post by: Warwick Wendy on June 01, 2009, 01:51:06 PM
Hi Guys,

Some may remember back in March I was looking to replace my Steering Damper on the TJ, Well!!! it got done and drove lovely (in a straight line)  Now come end of May I'm starting to notice it's going t*ts up again!!! pulling slightly to the left and am starting to smell the burning a little.  
I have a lift kit on the jeep with 33's but keep in mind the most I drive it is a few miles a week to Tesco's, around town etc (as I work from home I don't need to go far) and it hasn't even been off road yet!! eeek!! So is it normal to already need to replace the damper again 3 months down the line?  :cry:

Any advice and recommendations on what to do to solve this preferrably in Warwickshire area is much appreciated

Thanks Wendy x
Title: Re: Steering damper replaced 2 months ago
Post by: gazjeep on June 01, 2009, 01:54:30 PM
Which type did you fit ?

I ask because mine has just been replaced with an original (pattern) Jeep item.

I was advised by those more knowledgeable that some after market ones can rub ?
Title: Re: Steering damper replaced 2 months ago
Post by: Warwick Wendy on June 01, 2009, 01:58:02 PM
HMMM!!!!! now you're asking, To be honest I don't have a clue.....

I got it at Lighthouse Jeeps for £44.86 inc delivery, but it doesnt say which type on the invoice
Title: Re: Steering damper replaced 2 months ago
Post by: gazjeep on June 01, 2009, 02:03:31 PM
That's where I got mine from for the same, probably not that then but best wait for an expert.

Just a thought, is one one the brake caliper's sticking, had that problem too, especially the burning smell. Easy way to check, after driving it, check the temperature of the wheels, NOT THE BRAKE DISC!!
Just test the temp of all the wheels for comparison, if one is getting hot to the touch, it could be the caliper.

Wait for the experts to show up later though  :wink:
Title: Re: Steering damper replaced 2 months ago
Post by: thorna on June 01, 2009, 02:10:43 PM
If your damper was from Lighthouse then its probably an oem style one; so it shouldn't have broke. If its an oversize one then they crush themselves in a matter of weeks unless you mod the brackets. Even so this shouldn't affect pulling etc. check if its leaking.
As said by Gaz already; probably a brake calliper; sticky callipers is common; its happened to me quite a few times.
 Theres loads of threads etc on here on how to refurb them etc. My advice is to chuck them in the bin & buy new (Ebay US).
Title: Re: Steering damper replaced 2 months ago
Post by: Tank on June 01, 2009, 02:18:50 PM
As was said on another thread a few weeks ago,fitting a new steering damper can hide underlying problems with the suspension/drivetrain and this is what seems to have happened here,but now your underlying problem is worsening the damper is not able to mask it,and i doubt this is your problem especially with a burning smell and i would agree with a sticky caliper.
Title: Re: Steering damper replaced 2 months ago
Post by: Warwick Wendy on June 01, 2009, 02:59:52 PM
Would the brake calliper sticking have anything to do with my brakes getting squeakier and squeaker?? lol
Title: Re: Steering damper replaced 2 months ago
Post by: Tank on June 01, 2009, 04:02:13 PM
Yes quite possibly
Title: Re: Steering damper replaced 2 months ago
Post by: Dave69 on June 01, 2009, 05:00:45 PM
if the brakes are sticking then the pads will drag on the disk and a squealing might be heard as well. just becarefull if you have to brake hard as the jeep could pull hard to the side thats sticking. a service kit is not hard to do yourself and relatively cheap from lightouse jeep. the hardest bit will be bleeding the brakes after your done
Title: Re: Steering damper replaced 2 months ago
Post by: PtP on June 01, 2009, 10:14:49 PM
It sounds like a sticking caliper.

The rebuild option worked for me.
Title: Re: Steering damper replaced 2 months ago
Post by: Bishops Finger on June 01, 2009, 11:13:24 PM
Don't sound like damper to me...