[frn]

i have been told that i need a new steering damper,and it has been stated that a tough dog return to centre unit will be a good investment???? over a replacement one from nissan .except price whats the diff for normal driving. cheers.

 

[g4cube]

If you are only driving on the tar then none but if your serious about the truck and doing some real 4x4 stuff go the tuff dog mate. I will be fitting one asap as the cash allows.

 

[stevelb1]

I was told the same, only use the RTC if your into the high end 4 wheeling if not the standard heavy duty type steering damper is the way to go.

 

[BIG GQ]

RTC dampners have been know to chew out steering boxes alot quickers

 

[frn]

RTC dampners have been know to chew out steering boxes alot quickers

many thanks to you all for your helpful information it has made the decision very easy, no to rtc ,again thank you all,cheers.

 

[TheoB]

Like BigGQ said, I have heard the same about steering boxes, but it's all "hearsay" in my respect. I've gone the Tough Dog heavy duty version, and this is a vast improvement over the standard Nissan one. Cost was $120.

 

[OldMav]

My experience with RTC was in 90, i fitted one to a new cab chassis Maverick, 92 steering box failed, fluid was pis*ing out of bottom shaft seal. Just out of time warrainty ford/nissan did replace the unit due to only 30,000klm on clock all offroad. At the time the damper was bent so replaced with a Rancho damper no spring. IMO i did not notice any difference in steering good or bad with or without RTC offroad. Maybe my steering box was faulty or the bent damper helped, i doubt it as nissan tried to repair the box and return it to my truck, when they pulled it apart the Ric-ball assy was beyond repair. Truck has now 197,000klm mostly dirt klms box still tight, no RTC.

Cheers

Peter

 

[oondy]

A bloke in our 4WD club had one on his GU ute with 4" lift + 35 X-terrains. He had the RTC damper on about 10thou i think when i started to get a slight shimmy through the steering.

He got talking to a bloke and that bloke said to take the spring off and see how slack the damper itself is. It was pathetic he reckons, he compared it to the factory one which was quite hard to move, so he put the factory one back on and shimmy gone...all after i think 10,000kms with the RTC and it was on the way oot. he was told that the factory one will wear out faster due to its smaller diameter but while it does work it will work better than the RTC damper.

thats just what i've heard...the pres of our club swears by them so go figure.

cheers

OONDY

 

[on_one_wheel]

My RTC damper lasted many years however I eventually discovered that it's just one more component waiting to fail.
I'm sure they have their place when running gigantic tyres but I won't bother buying another when the damper itself eventually fails.
For now I've just removed the spring and 2 piece spring seat.

 

[Batt's]

I had a Toughdog on mine no issues with the steering box after 100,000km

 

[mark089]

Ye same iv got a tough dog rtc and have had for a long time no issues

 

[geeyoutoo]

Could someone please explain to me the 'benefits' of an RTC damper over a good std style damper?

 

[OldMav]

Could someone please explain to me the 'benefits' of an RTC damper over a good std style damper?

Very simply they are used to mask not enough caster. If you raise your suspension without caster correction, or then add larger diameter tyres or then use rims that don't have the offset to correct contact patch position. Then they do a good job of correcting that condition to a certain point. The usual rule of thumb for a beam axle is they have the effect of adding about 0.5° of caster best.

Cons are, the RTC damper is usually set with lighter valving to compensate for the spring so as to keep steering with a similar feel To STD. The spring is susceptible to breaking when encountering long duration times on corrugations. (Something to do with corrugation frequency) Due to the offset loading of the spring/damper position on a patrol the ball joints will usually rock from side to side making a unusual difficult noise to detect from light inputs from the steering wheel. The rocking action does accelerate ball joint wear.

Just a few points to consider and i am sure there are a few more cons i cannot remember.

 

[brettoonline74]

Had a tough dog rtc on my mq wagon. Was fitted new when i worked for a well known oz 4wd fitter. But only lasted 18months. Spring broke. No warranty on it either. Went back to standard and havent had a problem since, been over 7 yrs now. And yes I have 2"spring lift n big road tyres but its a tow vehicle n never went off road or serious 4wding. More of a gimmick than a basic upgrade.

 

[geeyoutoo]

So if we follow the general rules we don't need them.

 

[brettoonline74]

Yes. As mentioned before. Mainly used in bigger tyre applications to help return to centre. Or atleast make it easier to steer. Most of my early patrols didnt have power steer as standard so in that case the rtc would probably help by making the steering a bit lighter as it straightens back up. But ive only had 20+ mq/mk patrols and worked in the industry fulltime since 2012. Most 4wd assecessories are **** factor n dont really improve the way the 4wd drives. Its just for looks. Im turning into a grumpy old man. And new 4wds with twin snorkels on them with neither pipe connected to anything, is common now. Cheap alloy mags that buckke first time they meet something hard. Led lighting installed incorrectly, blinding oncoming drivers. Diesel fuel pumps wound up to blow black smoke over anyone behind them. If rtc were an upgrade they would be fitted to stock 4wd's or offered as a dealer upgrade.

 

[Batt's]

My standard damper was worn out and a brake and front end specialist suggested rtc I forget the reason why he recommended it. I bought one fitted it then took it to him to check I set it up correctly. I already had a 4" lift with drop boxes and caster correction kit 285 tyres it does change the feeling of the steering a little but you get use to it.

 

[OldMav]

My standard damper was worn out and a brake and front end specialist suggested rtc I forget the reason why he recommended it. I bought one fitted it then took it to him to check I set it up correctly. I already had a 4" lift with drop boxes and caster correction kit 285 tyres it does change the feeling of the steering a little but you get use to it.

As said they mask other issues. Caster is only one factor when good steering geometry is sort after. But still they are a solution to a point.

 

[dkril]

A key factor is that they are a cheap solution-to-a-point. And easy to install.