Steering Vibration Damper - MOT Failure

[mattywatsit]

Hi Everyone,

I keep in touch with the new owner of my (old) 1986 360 GLT. He rang me this afternoon informing me that the car has failed it's mot because a part on the steering column has failed, he has now been advised not to drive the car at all.

It is a flexible rubber mount that takes the vibration out of the steering, about 60mm diameter, 8mm thick (roughly) and looks like a round black piece of rubber with bolt holes in it.

It is referred to as either of the following:

Steering Vibration Damper

Steering Column Flexible Coupling

He is having a real job of finding one, all local motor factors can't get it in for him and Volvo themselves wouldn't help either.

He isn't very good with online forums (so although car still has V3M stickers on) he can't post on here currently.

Will take either a used or brand new part.

Any help what-so-ever would be greatly appreciated!

Matt.

[Hell Driver]

This needs checking, but I think that it's fail safe, with a metal plate inside to stop the steering failing. Still needs changing though, I think there's been a fair bit about them on the forum in the past, try a search.

[volvodspec]

it has a security feature in it where the upper and lower part of the damper can't slide over eachother if the rubber is gone, they interlock.
however, there is a significant amount of play if the rubber is worn so it will fail because there's too much play in the steering system.

there's a few things he can do; order a brandnew one of a Citroen BX or any other in the list that Fuse posted here:
http://www.volvo300mania.com/forum-uk/v ... 8&p=107790

milling a solid piece round and with 4 boltholes..
or a simple 8mm strip of steel with 2 bolts through it, and turning the steering wheel 90 degrees

[mattywatsit]

Thanks for all of your help - I have fowarded all information onto him - I think he is going to buy a Citroen BX damper as there is currently one on eBay.

Thanks once again

Matt.

[mattywatsit]

Problem now solved by the one and only Mac!

[macplaxton]

He's a good egg.