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NON Power Steering , Damper Question

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Old Jul 27, 2017 | 09:20 PM
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Default NON Power Steering , Damper Question

Do I really need a damper on the Non power steering drag link ?
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Old Jul 27, 2017 | 10:39 PM
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Originally Posted by Burnt71
Do I really need a damper on the Non power steering drag link ?
I'm not running one and I can't tell the difference. I might be able to if I hit something in the road.
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Old Jul 28, 2017 | 10:17 AM
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You'll know it if you need it. The wheel will be jerking out of your hand on bumps.
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Old Jul 28, 2017 | 06:21 PM
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Originally Posted by hugie82
You'll know it if you need it. The wheel will be jerking out of your hand on bumps.
It THEN becomes an important part once that happens to you and you smash your car. it is not like every road is perfectly flat with no raised obstructions.

In my opinion....do not be cheap...put it in. They are not that expensive...versus major body damage repair costs. Because IF GM did not put it there and the wheel was jerking out of your hand you would then say: "I wish GM did something about the steering wheel jerking out of my hand on the Corvettes with manual steering."

Or leave it out like others have doen and be happy with that decision.

DUB
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Old Jul 28, 2017 | 06:32 PM
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Originally Posted by Burnt71
Do I really need a damper on the Non power steering drag link ?
not if you use the HD drag link, I have an extra, if you or anyone else is interested send a PM
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Old Jul 28, 2017 | 06:49 PM
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I believe GM only installed these on 1968 cars...after than non power steering C3 Corvettes did not have them.
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Old Jul 28, 2017 | 09:34 PM
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Correct. That doesn't mean that they weren't needed....just that GM didn't want to pay to install them anymore. It really depends on the car and what you are asking of it. If you need one....you need one.

Try it without the damper and see how it handles/feels to you. If you have no problem, you didn't need it.
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Old Jul 29, 2017 | 08:30 AM
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I now have put quite a few miles on my power-to-manual steering conversion, and did not install a damper. I did this on Pennsylvania roads, so I have had plenty abuse from the road, and never snatched the wheel out of my hand. You can feel the road, but that was one of the reasons I did it, besides it being a very tight and direct feel versus the factory power steering slop.

Last edited by Shovels and Vettes; Jul 29, 2017 at 08:30 AM.
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Old Jul 29, 2017 | 05:28 PM
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Originally Posted by iwasmenowhesgone
I now have put quite a few miles on my power-to-manual steering conversion, and did not install a damper. I did this on Pennsylvania roads, so I have had plenty abuse from the road, and never snatched the wheel out of my hand. You can feel the road, but that was one of the reasons I did it, besides it being a very tight and direct feel versus the factory power steering slop.


It works for you. Glad to read that.

DUB
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Old Aug 1, 2017 | 08:32 AM
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It's a 77 and it doesn't have the brakets to mount a damper. I don't think it ever had one
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Old Aug 2, 2017 | 06:39 PM
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Originally Posted by Burnt71
It's a 77 and it doesn't have the brakets to mount a damper. I don't think it ever had one
YEP and that key piece of information (77 year model) would have been useful when you wrote the first post.

I knew I should have asked you to tell us what year were were talking about....because mid-years have them. I assumed incorrectly....again.

Not that it matter now...It depends IF the center link has the two holes that allow the bracket to mount to it that the damper mounts to. As for the bracket on the frame..those holes should be there due to IF the car were to come with power steering..there would be a place to mount the bracket for the power steering cylinder to it.

DUB
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Old Aug 2, 2017 | 09:49 PM
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Hitting a fairly deep pothole in the city will cause the steering wheel to be uncontrollable at times. Be careful!
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