 | Home > Puma (Tdci) > Question regarding steering dampers |
 
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| belgianchap Member Since: 01 Mar 2025 Location: East-Flanders Posts: 2   
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Hi all,
I have a SVX puma from 2007 for 3 years now, this is my first defender. After fixing everything that was absolutely trashed by the latest owner. (electrics, interior,..) I am now looking at the underside, starting with the steering damper. Some notes: this isn't really an off roader, more of a soft roader. I am a diver and this is my road trip vehicle or the work horse for projects for friends and family. So a good road feel is more important for me than off road capability. I read a lot of conflicting info, some people claim a RTC steering damper will destroy the power steering, only worth it for off roading... yet other people claim the same RTC steering damper is perfect for road use and will make it slightly less bouncy on uneven roads. (I am belgian, our roads ain't great) Can anyone give me some insights and what type of steering dampers would work or wouldn't work for my purpose? |
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20th Apr 2025 2:12pm |
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| landy andy Member Since: 15 Feb 2009 Location: Ware, Herts Posts: 5893 
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If you fit a return to centre steering damper and it improves things, then you have issues that you should be resolving.
An RTC steering damper isn’t required if your steering, bushes, swivels, geometry, steering box etc. are setup properly and in good order. |
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20th Apr 2025 7:28pm |
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| belgianchap Member Since: 01 Mar 2025 Location: East-Flanders Posts: 2
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It belonged to a hunter who had weird spending habits. He fitted a really expensive winch to it and that was seemingly installed well... but the off road lights were wired in super sketchy with exposed wires on the outside of the car running off the windshield under the bonnet and caused various issues.
But I got it from his wife since he died and I have no clue what he did or didn't do. It might still be all original underneath in terms of bushings and such. I also have no idea whether or not the ride quality now is 'normal' or not. My only mate near me who owns a landy has a series so that's completely different. Any ideas on how to 'test' if all these are in proper order still? |
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20th Apr 2025 8:16pm |
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| bankz5152 Member Since: 02 Feb 2017 Location: South London/North Kent Posts: 2212  
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Ome damper.
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20th Apr 2025 8:46pm |
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| landy andy Member Since: 15 Feb 2009 Location: Ware, Herts Posts: 5893
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Old Man Emu damper on mine, but to be honest anything basic will do. No need for a RTC. Many bought because it became the new thing.
Last edited by landy andy on 21st Apr 2025 3:27am. Edited 1 time in total |
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20th Apr 2025 9:04pm |
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| MarkBrown Member Since: 03 Oct 2022 Location: Mid Wales Posts: 538  
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How does the OME damper improve anything? What's it supposed to do? 1983 110 automatic OM606
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20th Apr 2025 10:28pm |
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| jbcollier Member Since: 29 Apr 2024 Location: Edmonton AB Posts: 225  
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I fit an uprated Terrafirma steering damper. I quite like it normally. It damps terrain induced kickback nicely. However, it gets a bit much at -20°C and lower as it then "unpowers" the power steering.
RTC dampers seem like a poor idea as centre isn't as fixed as you might think. I live in a windy, open area and fierce cross winds are not uncommon. That, and pronounced road camber would make life with an RTC damper interesting to say the least. |
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21st Apr 2025 4:11am |
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| Dinnu Member Since: 24 Dec 2019 Location: Lija Posts: 3542  
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Just keep in mind that the steering on a Defender is very crude, although better than that of a series. Do not expect very precise steering like on modern cars, and you will be fine.
If your caster is correct, your steering should still return to center, even with the weight of a winch. Ensure that your spring heights are correct. The below link helps to check thathttps://gwynlewis4x4.co.uk/wp-content/...rments.pdf 1988 90 Hard Top, 19J Diesel Turbo, Shire Blue - Restoration ongoing 2012 90 CSW, 2.2TDCI, Santorini Black |
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21st Apr 2025 9:07am |
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| markb110 Member Since: 22 May 2010 Location: Guildford Posts: 2664  
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From an earlier post and my reply.
https://www.defender2.net/gallery/albums/u..._1767.jpeg Just a personal point of view. I tried that type of dampener and ended up taking it back off. The reason was that the spring kept unwinding from the block then the steering was being pushed over to one side. I would reset the spring, only for it to do the same when I was driving. If you look at the picture, that spring is held in place by a jubilee clip, so I suspect they had the same problem as I. I am currently using an Old Man Emu dampener, fit and forget. |
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21st Apr 2025 10:22am |
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| Linds Hanson Member Since: 16 Jan 2021 Location: Cornwall Posts: 513 
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We usually fit OME finding Bilstein to powerful in the extension, but the OME must be painted before fitment as the paint quality is very poor.
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21st Apr 2025 10:56am |
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| lightning Member Since: 23 Apr 2009 Location: High Peak, Derbyshire Posts: 3080
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l had an RTC steering damper on my 2005 110 and it made it better to drive on road, where it spent 95% of the time.
The steering self centering was better and it was better on the motorway. l did 90,000 miles with no issues. |
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21st Apr 2025 11:37am |
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