Today I decided to swap out my old steering dampener as it was looking pretty shabby. Was a b***h to get at, only enough room for one hand at a time. Got all the nuts off but then it became clear the dampener itself wasn't going anywhere. The part is a rubber disc about 10cm across with two perpendicular studs mounted in it. The steering shaft is in the way of the dampener, so there really isn't enough room to withdraw the studs out of the steering rack shaft. I manages to get it out with a friend pulling hard on the steering wheel to give me a bit more of a gap between the two shafts. But the new dampener is in much better nick than the old one (obviously), more rigid and basically impossible to get back in.
I did this job years ago on a Mk3, and I don't remember having this problem. I'm pretty sure that the dampener is closer to the rack on a Mk3 so there's more articulation of the steering shaft UJ available to get it clear.
Does anyone know what I'm talking about?
Anyway, it got dark so had to abandon. Tomorow I will jack it up and try to release the rack, It only needs to drop about about 1cm to give me enough room to get the new dampener in.
Any suggestions or previous experiences with this gratefully received
'85 360GLT Mk2 3 Door B19E - SOLD
'94 L400 Mitsubishi Delica LWB
if its the dampener on the steering shaft i think you are on about you can knock the bolts out to slide the rubber out, all mk3 volvo's have these rubber dampeners. i know i replaced to on a car i got because it always splits after about 3years.
i hope thats some help to you.
I bought a pair of dampers a few weeks ago, Kar's got no rack in atm, so that was easy to get out (and put back in hopefully ) Was tempted to do Fakes next weekend, but theres an engine and rack in the way
How long you reckon it'll take Aaron? Was impressed they still had the part tbh, I got one for each car as they had them.
Chris_C wrote:How long you reckon it'll take Aaron? Was impressed they still had the part tbh, I got one for each car as they had them.
Probably about an hour, although it took me longer because I didn't know those studs came out! There's very little room in there, the master cylinder and the exhaust manifold strut are both in the way. I used a 13mm ratchet spanner, a short 13mm spanner and a hex key too. A friend to hold the steering wheel is useful!
SteveP wrote:How much are they?
About 15 quid delivered
'85 360GLT Mk2 3 Door B19E - SOLD
'94 L400 Mitsubishi Delica LWB
All sorted, fiddly bloody job. Didn't go for the exhaust bracket thing, mine is secured in 3 places by big rusty heat seized bolts which are even harder to get to than the dampener
Steering feels much more direct - thanks again, Jeff for your help!
'85 360GLT Mk2 3 Door B19E - SOLD
'94 L400 Mitsubishi Delica LWB
) Was tempted to do Fakes next weekend, but theres an engine and rack in the way 
