[s-cars] Steering Damper BTDT

[Airbil at aol.com]

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As I percieved my steering getta little too testy (87,000,) I thought what
the hell, for $65 lets put in a new steering damper.  One bolt, one nut, how
hard can it be?   I also wondered whether having a stiffened suspension with
bad damper could lead to the dreaded steering rack / to body work breakage.
IIRC I used a 17mm socket on the bolt on the passenger side and a 15mm open
end wrench on the nut at the other end (center of car.)
I cut the black tie wrap holding the wires on the bolt side to move them out
of the way.  The bolt came out very easy, did not seem real tight.
The nut side was a bit more problematic.  I removed the first two electrical
connectors (above the nut) from drivers side in on the firewall.  Disconnect
the top section of each and the bottom sections simply have to be jiggled to
slide out.   I think there was one more (electrical connector) below the nut
too.  Basically clear the area to have as much work space as possible.
The nut cam off easy enough, but there was barely enough room then to pull
off this end of the damper.  (Space between bolt and firewalll bodywork is
prolly about 2mm shy.)  I had to improvise a little lever, fitting the open
end of a wrench under the nut and a couple of light hammer bangs.  Voila'!
Thats basically it.  Install is reverse.  But take this opportunity to
Haperclean (tm) all these areas that are rarely and barely accessible:)
Bentley says that if damper goes in and out smooothly, that it's okay.  Mine
(the damper:) went in and out smoothly enough, but the first quarter inch +-
push or pull offered no resistance.  This first quarter inch is prolly when
the damper is needed most IME, as I dont think it ever moves more than one
inch while in operation.  Anyone know how much it does move?
Prolly doable in < an hr, but I took two with cleaning and beer breaks etc.
Two skinned knuckles and one slightly sore back.  And yes you will be
balanced on your belly from both fenders =:O "reaching in."
End of story is that a quick trip up and back to MI proved a lot of little
hwy bumps smoothed out.
Will do this again at prolly 150,000mi:)
Cheers'
Bill m
95 1/2 Smooth Steering Avant
75 Carrera