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Buccaneer



Member Since: 11 May 2014
Location: London/Kabul
Posts: 148

United Kingdom 1998 Defender 90 V8 Petrol 50th Auto Atlantis Blue
Steering Damper Replacement - thoughts?
Torn between Terrafirma RTC/ Bilstein /Old Man EMU.

I have done a search of this and other forums and can see no real clear advantage to any of them.

Open to thoughts on the choices. The Rules:-
1 Buccaneer comes back alive.
2 Chicks dig scars.

GB260
Post #359081 20th Sep 2014 2:47pm
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munch90



Member Since: 26 Oct 2013
Location: guildford
Posts: 3558

England 
get rid of the standard one on the front of axle and fit one on the bar behind the axle , much more direct acting , or use the 2 ( one behind / one in front ) if you got bigger tyres than standard
Post #359085 20th Sep 2014 3:14pm
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roel



Member Since: 08 Aug 2009
Location: Lelystad
Posts: 2039

Netherlands 2003 Defender 90 Td5 PU Caledonian Blue
Behind the axle is not a good place if you off-road a lot.
As it is mounted horizontal mud will collect and stay in it reducing your stearing angle till you clean it out. And it gets easier damaged.
That's my experience with my Camel Disco1. Roel

1984 90 2.5 na Diesel - RR V8 (1994-2001)
1997 Camel Trophy Discovery 300TDI (2001-2009)
2005 G4 Discovery III 4.4 V8 (2008-2018) It's gone but it still hurts.
2003 90 Td5 (2009-now)
Post #359109 20th Sep 2014 6:47pm
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custom90



Member Since: 21 Jan 2010
Location: South West, England.
Posts: 19574

United Kingdom 
Wouldn't waste your money, little difference.
Just stick with OE and maybe fit Polybushes. Thumbs Up
Post #359123 20th Sep 2014 8:28pm
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barbel jim



Member Since: 12 Dec 2012
Location: Northants
Posts: 1411

United Kingdom 2005 Defender 90 Td5 HT Tonga Green
I have a Bilstein, IMHO superb. Ok it replaced a standard 9 year old one but the difference is chalk and cheese ! Tightens everything up, well worth it.
Post #359135 20th Sep 2014 9:41pm
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diesel_jim



Member Since: 13 Oct 2008
Location: hiding
Posts: 6037

United Kingdom 2006 Defender 110 Td5 SW Epsom Green
I fitted an OME one on my old 90... made no difference whatsoever.
Post #359143 20th Sep 2014 10:35pm
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Lambley



Member Since: 20 Apr 2013
Location: Mid Devon
Posts: 1435

United Kingdom 2006 Defender 90 Td5 HT Java Black
I fitted a Bilstein one about 3 months ago, to be honest I didn't notice any major difference with regard to steering on the road although it did seem slightly smoother when turning, the old damper was 7 yrs old and it had very little in the way of 'damping' left on inspection, so I was expecting it to feel 'different' in some way because the new one was so nice and smooth, but nothing much.
However on a recent trip out down some very potholey lanes in Devon, it made sense, when you hit a pothole, bump or even clip a curb, it seems to stop most of the jerkiness of the steering wheel trying to snap your wrists, it'll also help take up some of the looseness/slack as my old one had about an inch of play before it did anything, making the steering a bit sloppy
Post #359165 21st Sep 2014 7:44am
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Buccaneer



Member Since: 11 May 2014
Location: London/Kabul
Posts: 148

United Kingdom 1998 Defender 90 V8 Petrol 50th Auto Atlantis Blue
I have to change it at some point as it was flagged as an advisory in the last MOT - just trying to evaluate the options.

Don't really off road so no need to double up move it about etc The Rules:-
1 Buccaneer comes back alive.
2 Chicks dig scars.

GB260
Post #359171 21st Sep 2014 8:04am
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fatman



Member Since: 14 Jan 2014
Location: Athens-Greece
Posts: 126

Greece 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Keswick Green
I would go genuine Land Rover item.
i haven't heard of anyone being "happier" with other brands,especially long term.
RTC dampers help when defender is lifthed and castor is reduced but the inner damper they use is crap..
Pics from last month,i had a very bad whobble,i thought it was swivel pin preload,i removed the steering damper and i was shocked with the condition it was.
So i used the old original land rover item in conjuction with the RTC helper spring,works marvelous!!




And a pic from the RTC damper,i don't think it was intented to work in sideways-orizontal position as a steering damper..
Post #359368 22nd Sep 2014 6:23am
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Chris86



Member Since: 15 Jul 2014
Location: South Yorks
Posts: 755

United Kingdom 2005 Defender 110 Td5 USW Chawton White
Steering Damper
Recently replaced ours on a standard 110.

The one I took off was banana shape- but only evident when fully extended and had lost most of its damping- again only apparent once taken off and compared like for like with the new item.

Replaced with OEM Boge one. Fair to say there is a difference to be felt between the two- mainly in that the steering feels as though there is slightly more resistance round centre but is also less fidgety on rough surfaces.

Well worth the £26 paid and the 20 mins of faffing about to fit I would say.

Chris
Post #359819 23rd Sep 2014 9:52pm
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