Thread: Steering damper on SWB

didnt think shorties had steering dampers, i know my 1959 didnt....

i know the army added them to some...

I have two Series with dampers and they don’t foul. It may be because the bracket on the drag link that the damper connects to is pointing upwards. These can be screwed in and out of the tie rods end to get the length of the drag link correct, and the bracket rotated along with it - and an inattentive PO may not have noticed when s/he last did some steering work. If the threads are not seized, you should be able to loosen the clamps on the ends of the drag link and rotate it slightly so the damper bracket points downward, which should fix the problem

1.Steering dampers were optional equipment on all Series Landrovers - but all military ones seem to have them from new.

2. There are two types of installation, the older type, which has the damper connected to a fitting clamped onto the drag link (and with a pin through it), going to a bracket bolted or welded to the chassis, and the other with a fitting built into the drag link and built into the chassis.

The first type often, but not always, blocks the crank access. Of course, with a non-standard engine, all bets are off!

Steering dampers are not needed unless you convert the swivels to tapered bearings , there is enough damping in the swivel bushes and relay box. All a damper does is make the steering heavier . Maybe the Army fitted them either to strengthen Army drivers biceps or to reduce death wobble induced by out of balance bar treads.

If you think thats bad , to use the crank handle on a Dodge Power Wagon you first have to completely unwind the PTO winch , the path to crank handle is in line with bottom layer of rope.

Here you can see hole in bottom of radiator, in line with crank dog on front pulley.

IMG20210424171643.jpg

Originally Posted by goingbush

Steering dampers are not needed unless you convert the swivels to tapered bearings , there is enough damping in the swivel bushes and relay box. All a damper does is make the steering heavier . Maybe the Army fitted them either to strengthen Army drivers biceps or to reduce death wobble induced by out of balance bar treads.

The optional parts catalogue I have says they are for offroad driving on rough ground where there is likely to be a lot of kickback.

My suspicion is that they became pretty much standard on late Series in Australia because a) Toyotas need them, so fitted as an easy way of keeping up with the competition, b) upselling by dealers.

About half the Series I have owned have had them, the others have not. I have never felt a problem on the ones without.

G'day All,

My 1966 2a SWB has a steering damper fitted and I have to turn the steering full lock to be able to use the crank. The crank just slips over the top of the damper top outer tube when left full lock applied.

Maybe try the steering at full lock left and right to see if there is a pathway to the engine.

Chris