Replace steering part or not

[Pgbarrow]

Hi guys,

My steering damper looks ok, but sounds like there is no fluid at all inside it's housing. How does this thing work? It slides back and fort fine.

Thanks,

Paul

[Multi69s]

To tell if it is bad extend it out to where it would be with the wheels pointing straight ahead. Then take it off and pull it out and push it in about 2" each way quickly. If it moves easily, its bad, if it resists movement, it is still good.
_________________
69 road Bug 2110
73 Squareback - 2L, T4, Automatic W/ AC
Gone, but many fond memories 69 Baja Bug 2010 - 5 Rib Bus Transaxle
Gone but not forgotten 72 Baja Bug 2010
My builds
T4 into Squareback http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=458944&highlight=
Auto Trans Rebuild http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=516066&highlight=
AC in Squareback https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...highlight=

[Pgbarrow]

There is a little resistance, but it kind of sounds like one of those penny whistles (without the whistle) going in and out. I have a gut feeling I need to replace it, I'm just irratated at myself because I keep ordering things one at a time and shipping takes about a week.

Grumble, grumble

Ps thanks for the insight

[unclewede]

It appears you have the body off, so maybe add it to the list and order once a week or so? It's just a small shock absorber, in effect. IIRC, they run about $20?

[60ragtop]

yes it acts like a shock absorber. if it is making noise replace it.The action should be the same thru out the whole motion of it, no variance.
_________________
Rick
Certified Mechanic by the State of Michigan in 1977
ASA certified in 1987
Certified Hunter Wheel Alignment Master Technician 1986

[Multi69s]

^^^

That's why you do the test I described. 90% of our driving is with the wheels pointing straight. So the damper pretty much stays in that one spot, and wears at that point. Most people just grab it and run it through its stroke, and you can't really feel any variance. However with the above test, you zero in on the area with the most wear, and its easier to test the damper.
_________________
69 road Bug 2110
73 Squareback - 2L, T4, Automatic W/ AC
Gone, but many fond memories 69 Baja Bug 2010 - 5 Rib Bus Transaxle
Gone but not forgotten 72 Baja Bug 2010
My builds
T4 into Squareback http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=458944&highlight=
Auto Trans Rebuild http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=516066&highlight=
AC in Squareback https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...highlight=