The steering damper on our 98 Disco is blown out and helping with the death wobble every time we hit rough pavement. Its the factory installed part with 147k on it so its far past due for replacement. I found one from British Pacific for like $20 so of course the price is right. Are they ok or should I pony up the cash for a nicer one? Its going on a bone stock Disco that we just beat around in so something like an OME unit may be overkill. What do yall think?

 

Better than nothing (which you have now), but Death Wobble can easily involve more than one component.

 

I'm pretty sure its the damper causing the issue, its the only weak link left. Its not horrible but you can certainly notice a little instability at highway speeds when you hit rough pavement. The only thing our current damper is doing is holding the bushings in place

 

have you checked the panhard rod, tie rod ends, and swivel pin pre load?

 

you shouldn't have the wobble, even with no steering dampener at all. It's not there to absorb small vibrations, it's there to keep that steering wheel from being ripped out of your hand if you bump something big.

From the service manual:

When operating the vehicle off road, the road wheels
are often deflected by ruts and boulders causing the
steering wheel to turn left and right. This phenomenon
is known as ’steering kickback’. To subdue the effects
of ’steering kickback’, a hydraulic damper is fitted in
the steering linkage between the track rod and the
differential casing. The damper, which offers the same
resistance in extension and compression, is sealed for
life.

 

Al that and a bowl of grits - mine needed all 4 tie rod ends, damper had been removed by PO (MIA), sticking caliper, wheel bearings.... and moved to the top of the repair list based on pucker factor ranking.

 

Its not your steering stabilizer causing death wobble. All it does is keep from ripping your thumbs off while off road. You either have bad swivel pre load or your panhard rod bushings are shot. I would take the stabilizer off completely untill you find the culprit. But to answer your question a cheap one is fine unless you off road mutch then I would pony up for a better one.

 

A steering damper does not CAUSE problems. It can MASK problems but it's job is very limited.

Rovers didn't even have steering dampers with any regularity until the mid 1970's

If, in fact you are experiencing a "death wobble' then inspect the bushings in the panhard rod and radius arms. Take a careful look at all the tie rod ends and make sure nothing is loose. Look for any damage to the tie rods themselves. Lift the wheels and see if they move when you grip them a 12 and 6 o'clock as well as at 3 and 9 o'clock. If all checks out THEN proceed to the next step of adjusting the swivel pre load and perhaps replacing the swivel bearings.

Once you have checked and done the needed repairs, replace the damper but before you do, take the truck for a ride and you'll see how little that part comes into play in this equation.

Good luck.

 

Guess I'll have to give everything a better look next time I'm under there. The swivel pre load is all I can figure as everything except the stabilizer is in great shape. The stabilizer doesnt even function anymore which is why it was my guess. I'll order one anyway (though it wont be el cheapo anymore as Pacific British decided to pee in my Wheaties) and start the process of elimination when I get underneath.

 

It's one of those things that gets worse as you go along, does not seem to go away by itself, always waiting to strike when you least expect it, causing foul language and fouling of the Depends.... IMHO don't wait too long.