Wanted Steering Damper Tips on how to change

[ian4455]

My steering damper needs changing, where do i start on how to get this removed and changed out ?

[filip.krticka]

You can order it from Custom auto craft page...

http://sites.internet.lu/folders/customautocraft/typeB3-B4_80_90_S2_RS2.htm

[mcandmar]

Its not that bad of a job to do, one bolt either end and out it comes. The only tricky bit is the bolt holding it to the car on the passenger side inner wing is hard to see, its one of those jobs you just have to do by feel. Be thankful you dont have a 3B with a battery tray in the way.

Pic should give you a better idea of location and orientation of the bolt.

[s2driveruk]

are you sure it needs changing? Whats the symptoms...

[ian4455]

Its wet with Oil, the car tram lines very badly although tracking is out a little on the front. Oh and its on the 3b so battery tray will be in the way. (are these removable?)

[driftin jo]

With an angle grinder they are removable.

[newsh]

You can cut a hole in the bottom of the battery tray leaving enough to still support the battery, someone on here did it and there's a post with pics. Be careful of the wiring loom and pipes underneath it though!

Are you losing hydraulic fluid? If so it might be the pipe with the T piece in it which is leaking, its just above the damper. Its the fluid return pipe to the reservoir and could be leaking at that end too. You might be able to re-crimp the connections to the T piece with some side cutters if its leaking there.

[ian4455]

Didn't mean that way, I'll have to endure a few scratches to get it removed !

[mcandmar]

When i changed the one in my 7A (same as 3B) i think i did it from below. The linkage at the rack is a little more fiddly as its a single piece bracket on the early cars where as later ABY's had a separate bracket just for the damper. I did them both at the same time which probably made it easier as i knew where i was going for the inner bolt. Basically fitted new one to avant, and then fitted the old one to the 7A. Made absolutely no difference whatsoever so unless its leaking dont waste your time.

[s2driveruk]

yep - agree with Newsh, I doubt this is shot, it'll be the hydraulic line running close by losing some flueid over it I reckon - these are over engineered in my opinion from changing one. Its a biatch of a job getting it changed with the engine and fan in situ.

[re2500]

The one on my car was shot! (with it off the car i could extend and retract it with NO resistance) I just removed it. I now run without, no probs.

[Error404]

Its not that bad to remove, even on a 3B/CQ. It is harder to refit though. I replaced mine on the CQ as it was totally fooked, pissing oil and about 2 inches of free play in it. New one did make the car feel more stable in a straight line, not a massive improvement. IMHO they are only fitted as a bandaid to having over assisted steering and a puny castor angle.

[Error404]

The one on CAC is a LHD only part made by Febi. There is a Sachs Boge version of the RHD one that is about £30 as opposed to the OEM Stabilus one which retails for about £100. Some info in this thread:

http://www.s2forum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=33388

[AndyP]

If it's a 3B, try breaking your arm in 3 maybe 4 places, makes the job loads easier

[ian4455]

thanks for the advice, I'll check the Tee piece tomorrow if time allows. A daft question, whats the correct level for the power steering fluid ? Removed the top and it has spring piece attached but couldn't see a level mark ?