Dual Steering Damper

[dredgeguy]

Anybody tried this mod or have any comments?


https://www.corvettecontrol.com/product-page/1984-1996-c4-corvette-dual-steering-damper

[G8nightman]

I was wondering the same thing

[secondchance]

Me three!

[Young1]

Could this be the next best thing after Vette2Vette stiffeners? Who shall be the Guinea pig? What does Hib or Grahm have to say about it? Legit or snake oil?

[Prez1967]

Seems like it would add steering effort (Maybe stress the power steering system?)

From my limited understanding of suspension systems and how to dial in/out bumpsteer, its all about alignment and geometry correction, not dampening.

I know trucks run steering dampeners to help with "death wobble" but (again, my understanding) it has nothing to do with straight line stability.

[spork2367]

Seems like it would add steering effort (Maybe stress the power steering system?)

From my limited understanding of suspension systems and how to dial in/out bumpsteer, its all about alignment and geometry correction, not dampening.

I know trucks run steering dampeners to help with "death wobble" but (again, my understanding) it has nothing to do with straight line stability.

Agreed. This is a band-aid for bad steering geometry. Now, if you don't want to change the geometry and want to numb undesired feedback, maybe it's a solution.

[Mystic ZR-1]

FWIW:
VW Bugs and Transporters had similar steering dampers...

[ram_g]

So I went ahead and bought this last year at the time that I was battling vibrations at speed. Turned out to be the set of Nitto tires that I had just recently put on. Once I changed to Michelins the vibrations went away and I lost my motivation to install these.

I still have them, brand new in the shipping box, unpacked and unused. If anybody wants to give them a go, I'll cut you a deal. I see they're listed for $299 (I bought them for $275). I'll sell them for $200 + shipping. As stated, brand new and untouched.

BTW, my 1998 Mercedes SL500 has a similar device (one single damper). So it's not necessarily smoke and mirrors, although whether there's that much benefit to the C4 I do not know.

[XfireZ51]

Found same difference when I switched from Nittos to Michelins.

[Prez1967]

I went with Nittos last year and so far so good but Im not loving what Im hearing about how they age. LOL

[Hib Halverson]

I think I've fix the bump steer issue in the C4 steering system, first before I'd add two steering dampers.

No doubt they "work both ways" in that they'll slow steering response as well as (maybe) doing all the other things the mfg. of that product claims.

[Hib Halverson]

As for Nittos...

They're s**t compared to the Michelin PS2. Only tire worse than a Nitto for a ZR-1 is the Sumitomo.

In fact, until I got on the forum today, I thought the PS2 line had been discontinued by Michelin. Nice that the Michelin Man decided to build them in sizes which will fit C4 ZR-1s.

I've been using Michelin on Corvettes and Cadillac ATS-Vs for a decade, PS2s, PSSes, PS All-Seasons, PS4Ses PS Cup and PS Cup 2s. Great tires, especially the PS Cup 2 in warm or hot weather, but, admittedly Michelins are not inexpensive...even from Costco.

[GOLDCYLON]

Hmm I'd say solve the steering problem you are trying to correct with a rack rebuild and poly everything bushing wise and ball joint wise on our 30 year old cars before using something like this. Invest in coil overs and call it done. GC

[jss06c6]

As for Nittos...

They're s**t compared to the Michelin PS2. Only tire worse than a Nitto for a ZR-1 is the Sumitomo.

In fact, until I got on the forum today, I thought the PS2 line had been discontinued by Michelin. Nice that the Michelin Man decided to build them in sizes which will fit C4 ZR-1s.

I've been using Michelin on Corvettes and Cadillac ATS-Vs for a decade, PS2s, PSSes, PS All-Seasons, PS4Ses PS Cup and PS Cup 2s. Great tires, especially the PS Cup 2 in warm or hot weather, but, admittedly Michelins are not inexpensive...even from Costco.Hib, respect your thoughts. I must be a lucky guy, because I'm running G2's on my '91 with no issues. Didn't take much weight at all to balance. Smooth at all speeds and like the traction..

Sent from my SM-G950U using ZR-1 Net Registry mobile app (http://r.tapatalk.com/byo?rid=90383)

[Hib Halverson]

I think you are indeed lucky...that you got a set of Nittos that have worked well for you and, lucky you didn't buy Sumitomos.:thumbsup:

[spork2367]

I think you are indeed lucky...that you got a set of Nittos that have worked well for you and, lucky you didn't buy Sumitomos.:thumbsup:

Thankfully they don't make it anymore. Hopefully the mold broke. I cringed every time I saw that tire on a zr-1.

[GOLDCYLON]

The only "good" thing about Sumitomos was if you were in the market for a C4 and you were the seller you could say "hey I put 4 new tires on the car".

Before the new owner realized how craptastic the new tires were.