Terrafirma Steering protector vs Terrafirma RTC

[Baytown]

G'day everyone.
I fitted my Terrafirma alloy steering protection bash plate yesterday (dreadful fit of the plate to the rear brackets, bent too far from the factory).
The bloody left hand mount interferes with the spring on the RTC steering damper which it has to pass through. It can foul a coil when turning due to contraction or extension of the Spring coil and cause a temporary lock when turning right which is not a good thing. Has anyone else had this issue? All I can do is grind away a radial clearance for the spring coil in the left support arm, hoping it's not weakened too much as it will remove almost half the width of the arm around the spring radius.
What did others do? (Prior to me getting out the grinder.)
Thanks.
Ken

[Tombie]

Is suggest ****ing off the RTC steering damper.
RTC steering dampers seem like a good idea but are not.
They are a bad item; masking any potential
Steering faults until point of failure.

This isn't an exaggeration.

[Baytown]

Thanks Tombie.
I was thinking of fitting an ARB standard unit in its stead. It's the easiest option.
Best wishes mate.
Ken

[Tombie]

No worries mate. The RTC function always feels good - but the same function turns out to be a good mask for steering component wear.

Several engineers I've spoken with cringe!


Another great Steering damper was (not sure now it's been a while) the Rancho unit... Has really nice damping.

[Vern]

Bilstein dampner is a good one as well.

[Baytown]

ARB Cairns have one in stock so I'm going in to pick it up and fit this morning. Vern, thanks, and unfortunately,
I've no idea where to get Bilsteins up this way. They would be my choice of shock that's for sure.
Best wishes and thanks again fellers.
Ken

[Baytown]

Bugger!
I swapped the Terrafirma RTC unit out, fitted up the Old Man Emu non RTC unit and it's large diameter stone guard still fouls the arm of the steering guard. Surely I can't be the only person to experience this issue!
I might be able to space the shaft bolt outside the arm, but then I'd loose some compression of the damper, or, grind a radial cut out still.
Change one thing, effect another, same old story!
Ken

[Vern]

Got any pics ken?

[Baytown]

I've come to the conclusion that this was a bad choice for my particular vehicle.

It's not designed to suit vehicles with an ARB style bull bar as the eyes incorporated at the forward end of the mounts for recovery bow shackles, are fouled against the bull bar mounts. This doesn't allow insertion of the shackles, so no functional front recovery option. If the eyes were drop style in type, it may have worked.

The left side mounting bracket is too wide, fouling aftermarket steering dampers and most certainly RTC units. Only option is to grind approx 40% of material away from around the steering damper left hand mount. What effect on strength of the arm? It's probably OK as its a substantial item, but an uncomfortable mod.

Finnish is excellent, fit is poor, with my rear mounts not flush with the alloy plate due to the plate being bent at too acute an angle, putting my 2 rear mount hardened bolts at higher risk of sheering.

If you have an ARB or TJM type full bull bar, consider an APT unit. Wish I had, and still may to allow my recovery points to be functional.

FYI .

Ken

[Baytown]

I'll put some up tomorrow Damien.
Had enough under the vehicle for the day!

[Baytown]

As discussed, here's some photos of the issues. This is the recovery point blocked by the bull bar mount. If it were a drop type eye such as the APT, it would be functional. You can't fit a bow shackle in there.
Ken

[Baytown]

Poor folding. I could fix with a decent press, but don't own one. I really need to learn how to post more than one photo.

[Tombie]

It's not fit for purpose mate. Just return it.

[Tombie]

Products with the Big M are rarely decent..
It's the Accessory equivalent of Britpart [emoji48]

[Baytown]

And no clearance for the RTC damper or wide diameter standard damper due to the shape and width of the left mount.