Harmonic Damper?

[BlissBignall]

I was driving down the road today, and hit a bumpy section. The front end of the car started vibrating and bouncing uncontrollably. Once I had slowed down to a crawl, it settled down. This has happened a couple times today, but never before.

Would I be correct that I probably need to replace the harmonic dampener (that horizontal shock absorber in the front suspension)? my front shocks are nice and firm, so I know that's not it.

Thanks in advance!
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1963 Beetle...My mom's car that got sold in 2012
1969 Beetle...That was fun!
1972 Beetle...Never ran right
1974 Thing....Daily driver on sunny days

[hobie16]

It's a steering dampener.

I'd check wheel balance too.
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Don't be fooled by appearances. In Hawaii, some of the most powerful people look like bums and stuntmen.
--- Matt King

If anything’s going to happen, it’s going to happen out there.
---Captain Ron

[mondshine]

The death wobble!
It usually occurs right around 50 MPH.

Check all of the steering parts; ball joints, tie rod ends, steering gearbox, front wheel bearings for excessive play. Wheel balance might also be a contributor.

But keep in mind that replacing the steering damper might mask problems with those other components temporarily, without really fixing anything.
You can check yours just like you would test a shock absorber. Once removed, if it extends and compresses evenly, a new one won't make much difference.
Good luck, Mondshine

[BlissBignall]

Thanks! I'll get under there and start checking things.
_________________
1963 Beetle...My mom's car that got sold in 2012
1969 Beetle...That was fun!
1972 Beetle...Never ran right
1974 Thing....Daily driver on sunny days