Steering damper - how to test and what are these rings?

[peteracs]

Hi All

Just taken the rack off the car, good job as well, as the gaiter is perished, but not obviously when it was on the car, so saved me a job later when it would not have been so easy to sort out.

So on with the damper which appears to be the hot item to go and results in steering issues from other members comments.

On to my questions.

1) How do I test the damper, it appears to compress and open out with some resistance especially trying to do it quickly, so suspect it is ok?

2) On the damper were two rings which were simply fixed by some black mastic substance, one near the end with the holes, one further down the tube. On cleaning it they simply moved, so I removed them. Any idea what they are for as appear to be completely redundant?

Peter

[Neil-yaj396]

As to 1) I'd say that it's alright, though on my 'old' 1300 I had problems with the damper giving too much resistance. This was after a long lay up and it freed itself up before I removed it.

Can't answer 2). Droptop is your man as he recently removed his damper and dispensed with it altogether.

[peteracs]

Hi All

In answer to the second question, I was looking through the parts book as you do....... And looked at the damper. I had not realised that there was some sort of sheath over the lower end which is supported by these two rings, on my damper the sheath is completely missing hence my confusion, so of anyone can post a close up of the sheath I would appreciate it so I can see what I need to fabricate to get back to something like original......

Peter

[peteracs]

Bump, could someone post a photo of the steering damper, please?

Thanks

Peter

[Neil-yaj396]

Sorry, Peter; this is my best effort (by poking my phone down between the fuse box and expansion tank). You could do with someone with their engine out taking pictures for you. Hopefully a few Betas at Stanford next week for you to have a poke about in.

[peteracs]

Hi Neil

Thanks, it looks like a metal jacket, guess the one on mine must have rotted away, but seems odd that everything else is ok.

I will see you on Sunday hopefully, have not forgotten the window mirror you asked for.

Peter

[peteracs]

Hi All

Ok, I can answer my own question now. I just bought a few items and included were a couple of NOS steering dampers, photos below. What I did not realise was that there were two manufacturers, Stabilus and Way-Assauto. The one in Neil's photo is the Stabilus one which has a metal 'bulb', whereas the Way-Assauto has a rubber 'bulb' held on by two rings, which are all that were left on my damper, hence looking odd on there own. Being near the exhaust (and mine not even having the shroud left on it) it would have succumbed like the steering rack gaiter. Hope this helps someone else who is as confused as I am. I know there has been talk elsewhere of alternatives to these, but not sure if Matt ever tested successfully the one he found?

Peter