Steering Damper
 

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I am wondering about the steering damper that is located underneath the front of the vehicle. This is a shock. I think mine is shot. A couple of questions</P>
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<LI>1) What does this do ? </LI>
<LI>2) I think mine is shot as their is oil coming out. I have to take it out to inspect first however. There is also a dent in it.</LI>
<LI>3) Can I replace with any aftermarket shock. Dodge wants $175.00 Canadian to replace with a factory one. I don't feel like spending that for a shock. I found out on another forum that one person has put a <U>RS5000</U> in. Does anybody know about this? </LI>[/list]

Thanks,</P>


Wes</P>

Steering Damper
 

Good Morning, Wes, look at the side of www.roughcountry.com. or www.NTWonline.com. The last one gots even a special order line for canada.: 1-800-575-7500.They´re advertising replacement steeringstabilizer shocksfor $34,95,complete kits for $49,95 and dual kits for $89,95.I wouldn´tmake any experiments on my steering. Bye, Mikel (Dodge Germany)</P>

Steering Damper
 

Hi Mike:</P>


Thanks for your reply. Do you know why my wheels are Binding while turning on snow and really hard on pavement and while in 4X4. I first found out about this when I tried turning on pavement. I have since refrained after finding out not to use 4X4 at all on good traction surfaces. I tookmy truck into a driveline specialist and they suggested it was Tire Size. Ihave since spent $700.00 on new tires and still have the same problem.My tiresin theback were 1/2 an inch shorterfrom the groundthan the tires in thefront. This was measured at equal tire pressure. Since I don't the historyon the vehicle, I am not sure what it is. </P>


Some suggest it may beaxle windup, however this should clear itself if I am turning on snow asoneof the tireswill spin to release thetension. I am thinking it might be in my driveshaft.Mytruck drives smoothly and I get no vibration until highway drivingwhenI get a pretty good hummm and vibration at 120 km/hr(about 65 miles an hour).Could this be a driveline issue. I checked thefront differential and there is no metal filings in it after changing the fluid. </P>


What do you think my next stepsshould be or is this Binding of the front tires normal on goodpacked snow? </P>


Thanks,</P>


Wes </P>

Steering Damper
 

Hi Wes,do you have a locker in the front differential? It sounds that you do and I would say that it´s getting permant locked if you give torque (adding 4wd) on it and won´t unlock untll you drive 2wd.That could cause a worn out locker.Call the specialists on www.ringpinion.com ,1-877-349-1367, They are the best.Maybe it will be much better if you install a wheelhub (Warn) but its a shot from the hip that will costs you about $900 bucks, so you better call those guys first. Mikel</P><edited><editID>DODGE Germany</editID><editDate>37932.7901736111</editDate></edited>