Steering Dampener Change

[dodger2]

Both dampeners are leaking. Thought I'd change them myself this time. What brand do you guys recommend? Are there any tricks I should Know? Does this job call for any special tools? I'd sure appreciate hearing from anybody that has changed theirs.

 

[mberry]

Rancho RS5000 for the dampener. If you have an air hammer it's a piece of cake. Worked for me in about 10 seconds to get the stock one off.

 

[Ethdee]

Got a question. I bought a RS5000 (RS5404) for my 2001 2500 4x4, and it came with a fitting to insert into the tie rod tapered hole.



The "nut" at the big end of the taper bottomed against the tie rod, and there was easily 0. 100" play in the taper. It seems that the taper was correct, it was just too short.



I've a hunch my tie rod is different from yours, and I'm hoping you can tell me how yours fit. I imagine that when you torqued the castellated nut, you still had room between the tie rod and the "nut" at the big end of the taper.



Jim

 

[Cooker]

Ptucker,

Welcome to the TDR.



A pitman arm puller works well to release the tapered end of the dampener.



FWIW - I have a Trailmaster SSV stabilizer on mine. IMO I don't think the brand is as important with dampeners as it is with shocks.

 

[Shelby Griggs]

Jim,



I had the same problem. I bought mine from Les Schwab here in Oregon. They had no answers, and sold me a new factory one at discount plus installed it free. They claim they were removing the part number from their system. Somebody else had probably already figured that out, as my box had previously been opened. Rancho seems to have a problem, as the 5404 WILL NOT fit at least some of the trucks. I suspect that maybe the 2000 and up??? may be different.

 

[Dane]

Shelby,

My Rancho RS5404 was the same, doesn't seem like the newer trucks use the same taper diameter. I shimmed mine with the electrical tape and wrapped the castle nut with safety wire (don't laugh:-laf) and it's been working great for over a year.