I got under my truck the other day and noticed this on the front suspension.





Looks like some sort of shock but for wat? Im new to suspension work so im in no way familiar with this.

Is it necessary? cuz ive been driving like this for a 3.5 months that ive owned it.

Im thinking this could be affecting my steering, cuz the truck pulls hard to left and my left-front wheel has negative camber.

Help me out, cuz i dnt wana spend money if its not completely necessary. Also if it makes a difference im not guna be running power steering

 

appears to be a busted steering dampener (shock). I bought a replacement not too long ago for about 40 bucks at the local parts store. Your steering issues are definitely related to that.

 

nice

thats your steering damper

 

try out this link http://personal.utulsa.edu/~nathan-buchanan/93fsm/steering/15steer.pdf

 

ya thats broken, thats what it is


it "calms" the steering down a bit, helpful on rough roads and high speeds.



they dont break like that very often, and if it pulls to the left i would look for bent stuff, sounds like a jumped curb or similar impact.

 

Ya man, that is not the cause of your pull, something is out of alignment.
take the shock off at the least. you don't need that flopping around down there..lol
If the short side gets turned wrong, it could bind up your steering.
And that would suck.

 

damn thats dirty underneath

 

Alright well now that i know wat it is, Is it really necessary?

Or should i just spend the money on an alignment? Which is wat i feel i need most, cuz the steering wheel is turned 1/4 of a turn while going straight. lol

 

I know but damn after 20 years and part of its life being a work truck i expected it. lol.


I feel like spraying it with a pressure washer

 

ill put a new steerin fantazmajig and a valve cover gasket in for ya. cheap.

but really, you should swap that with a new one and then have an alignment shop take a peak under to see whats worn. they dont charge for a quick inspection. because they hope you will have them fix it there. but then do it yourself and have them align it.

 

looks like the truck hit something (more than likely if you didnt do it, the previous guy did...) and thats all seemingly related from what you say.

impact from whatever it was run into could have snapped it right off. if that is the case, im guessing theres a few bent up parts under there......... it takes allot of force to do that kind of damage.

 

yah....that's broke! haha. Good thing about the steering componants, you can replace everything brand new for like 300 bucks or so. I have all new parts except the pitman arm. It's a bit tighter, but I think my steering box has slack in it still.

 

well im still tryin to figure if i need it or not. i mean i like smooth steering and all but my PS dont even work so do i really need this?

 

i would say if its designed to have it, you wanna keep it. mine went out on my 92 and certain freeway stretches got pretty iffy. like mentioned, its only like a 40 dollar part. if you dont replace it, atleast pull the old one out.

 

^^^Makes sense.il see wat i can do.

 

i replaced mine months ago got a good steering damper from local junkyard for 20 bucks. make sure its got a ball joint on one end and a screw on the other end cause the ones that autozone,and orielly sales has 2 screw peaces and their for 4wd toyotas.

 

Phatmitzu was selling one a few months back. He might still have it. Belltech Brand I think.

And I thought my car was dirty. Yo' **** is grooooowwwddyyyyy!!!!!!!!!

 

yea il make sure to check the part b4 i buy it cuz **** i hate getn the wrong thing then having to make extra unnecessary trips.

I finally got a job so il be able to buy ****. i might just fix my PS too

 

Dont replace it, waste of money... I broke mine off the other day and I cant even feel a difference in driving. make sure everything else is good under there though

 

Sorry to thread-jack, but if you think that's bad, you'd have to see my 4x4's, complete with a bit of an oil leak from the dipstick tube!