OK, one of the several things I need to replace on my '78 Spider project is what was referred to me as the steering damper. It's located on the passenger side, lower engine well just in front of the firewall. It looks as though it was at one time mounted to the frame with a bracket. That bracket/mount is cracked off and the damper is hanging there on top of a tie rod. When I turn the wheel, the whole thing moves causing a huge amount of play in the wheel.
So, am I calling this part by its proper name? Any ideas on where I can find one and what kind of work (and cash) I'm looking at to replace it?
TIA, as usual!
Steering damper?
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bobplyler
- Patron 2022
- Posts: 823
- Joined: Sat Jan 30, 2010 7:58 pm
- Your car is a: 1979 spider 2000
- Location: Charlotte, NC
Re: Steering damper?
I believe you are talking about the steering idler. Here is one.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Fiat-124 ... 0118558822
But all of the vendor should have them. Some have toothed splines, and some are smooth.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Fiat-124 ... 0118558822
But all of the vendor should have them. Some have toothed splines, and some are smooth.
1979 Fiat Spider (since new)
2005 Lincoln LS (the wife's car)
2003 Chevrolet Cavalier (daily driver)
1999 Honda Shadow VLX 600
1972 Grumman Traveller 5895L (long gone).
2005 Lincoln LS (the wife's car)
2003 Chevrolet Cavalier (daily driver)
1999 Honda Shadow VLX 600
1972 Grumman Traveller 5895L (long gone).
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Adam
Re: Steering damper?
I have a good used damper that I am willing to part with. It even has the arm attached to it. I thought my original damper was done, turns out it needed to be filled with oil.
Call it $30 plus shipping and it's yours.
Adam
Call it $30 plus shipping and it's yours.
Adam
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SanRafaelFaz
Re: Steering damper?
Thanks, Adam. Before I saw yours my mechanic said he had already found one.Adam wrote:I have a good used damper that I am willing to part with. It even has the arm attached to it. I thought my original damper was done, turns out it needed to be filled with oil.
Call it $30 plus shipping and it's yours.
Adam
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johndemar
- Posts: 716
- Joined: Sun Feb 24, 2008 11:12 am
- Your car is a: 1976 Fiat 124 Spider
- Location: Phoenix
Re: Steering damper?
So did the damper itself crack and break off where it mounts to the rail, or did it just rip out of the side rail?
If the damper is still in one piece it may only need filled with oil like others have stated. If the seals are bad on it the oil may just leak out again. But even then you can remove the damper and take it apart put a grease zerk on the side and simply fill it up with any good bearing type grease.
If the damper is still in one piece it may only need filled with oil like others have stated. If the seals are bad on it the oil may just leak out again. But even then you can remove the damper and take it apart put a grease zerk on the side and simply fill it up with any good bearing type grease.
76 Fiat 124 Spider
One owner since July 20, 1976
Amadio Motor, Jeannette, PA
One owner since July 20, 1976
Amadio Motor, Jeannette, PA
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SanRafaelFaz
Re: Steering damper?
Thanks for the advice, John. When I looked at it, it appeared to have just cracked its mount. The part itself looks intact. I really won't know until I get a better look at it. Right now I have the head off trying to assess if there was any heat damage after h/g blew. Looks OK, but the gasket was really blown bad. Once I get her back together and if she runs normal, I'll address all the other issues. No sense tossing money into other fixes until I know she' gonna run. 
When I looked at it, it appeared to have just cracked its mount. The part itself looks intact. I really won't know until I get a better look at it. Right now I have the head off trying to assess if there was any heat damage after h/g blew. Looks OK, but the gasket was really blown bad. Once I get her back together and if she runs normal, I'll address all the other issues. No sense tossing money into other fixes until I know she' gonna run.