Removed steering damper, now another issue!

OK, so yesterday, I fitted my steering damper (Discovery 1 with BigJimny bracket as a lot of people on here).

The angle is quite sharp when it's in the back hole of the tie down bracket as I've seen mentioend before.

As it was so close to the pipe running into the radiator, I decided to remove it until I could get a new bracket fabricated to lower it a bit.

I now notice that, after removing the damper, my steering wheel isn't straight when travelling in a straight line!

I've been underneath, and the drag link is still true (although there is a lot more rotational/twisting play in it after cramming up the bracket for the damper) and one of the tie rod ends looks like it's now leaking (great).

Could this cause the issue? I'm certain the steering wheel was spot on before, maybe it was different because the tie rod end didn't move (the drag link will move easily now!!!).

Maybe I need to get the tracking looked at? I just cant figure out how the steering wheel can be off to the left without the tie rod ends moving in or out or the drag link bending.

Any thoughts appreciated.

Jimnyash wrote: I've been underneath, and the drag link is still true (although there is a lot more rotational/twisting play in it after cramming up the bracket for the damper) and one of the tie rod ends looks like it's now leaking (great).

Could this cause the issue?

More than likely.
Any play in the joints will show as a movement of the steering wheel.

Possibilities are as you say:

Worn joints
Bent drag link
Bent tie rod
Kingpin collapse
Axle displaced sideways (bent panhard or bracket/ shot panhard bushes)

Thanks Facade.

Think I'll get the end sorted. Now there's grease coming out, it isn't going to get better and there's space for other stuff to get in (mud, water, grit).

Get that sorted, then new bracket, then damper back on.

Typical. Try to fix one issue and create another!

Replaced the tie rod ends. Makes a lot of difference!

Did you re-fit the steering damper or still waiting for a new bracket?

What difference does the damper make over standard steering?

Still waiting to sort the bracket.

The short time it was on it did smooth out and add some weight to the steering.

Hopefully I'll get it back on soon.

Get the new bracket on. It lowers and moves back the mounting point of the chassis end of the damper.

Went for a drive, makes a difference, but...

When I got back, I noticed that the drag link was twisted back, almost nipping the rubber of the new tie rod ends. I've loosened and re-adjusted everything.

If I keep getting this twisting issue, and it buggers more tie rod ends, I may as well take the damper off because it may cause more issues than it fixes!

My question then, to those of you with the damper fitted to a bracket on the drag link:

Is it mounted with the bracket facing the front of the car (so it's flat facing forward).

Thanks.

Are you doing up the nuts on the steering damper brackets to tight so the rubbers are locking up on the bracket fitted to steering rod.




This is some photos of my damper hope this helps.

Ahha!

Very very good point.

Think I've done those up to tight maybe (the nuts on the rubbers).

I'll go loosen them up.

Thanks.