probaly when i go back outside i'm going to take it off. if i go through with what i want to try it may not fit there again. i guess i'll have a few miles on it before i make a final decision.

has anyone who's taken one off come across any situation where they wished they still had it? i've got stock 14's with stock susp. still for now. if i make a wheel (prob. 15-17") or suspension change later, can anyone see me wishing i had it back?

any help, experience or thoughts appreciated.

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Phil T.

start where you are,
use what you have,
do what you can.

I took mine off about a month ago. I have Heard that it may cause premature wear in other suspension parts but don't know for sure. I have been running either 15" GT rims or 16" custom ones without it.

My roads are definately rough and some gravel thrown in to boot. You certainly feel a lot of the 'wigglies' that the stabilizer squashes, but it isn't really objectionable. Low speed steering effort is less, but at speed it seems the same (with more road feedback).

I guess it depends on where you drive and how important smooth steering is to you. Kind of like the folks craving power steering in a Fiero. Seems a waste to me.
Gary

Personally I drive on VERY rough roads and I would rather have it on, however, If I did much parallel parking I think I would leave it off...........

Phil

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GTDude
OVER 25 years GM experience

I think I remember a post in which 1FST2M6 complained about a long trip on rough roads without the damper.

I removed the damper from my '85 SE. With stock 14" alloy wheels and 215/60 tires, I felt lighter transient steering but more kickback, particularly under braking on rough pavement.

Since then, I have installed nearly-identical Grand Am alloys on the front. These Grand Am wheels set the front tires about 1/2" inboard, compared to Fiero wheels; this reduces scrub radius, which reduces kickback and further lightens steering. I am quite happy with this combination . . . until I decide to change it.

I took mine off it's not that big of a difference either way. A little lighter at low speeds, but small irregularities in the road before are more noticeable now w/o it. I took mine off because it was leaking with plans to replace it. I am going to replace it, but I am in no big hurry. just another 2cents worth. Seems like most people agree; no big difference either way.

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Josh

Under Construction

I've had mine off for 6 months and see no problems yet. A bit more pull on rough roads but nothing bad. Muck lighter steering effort at low speeds.

well, about 25-30mls. and i really can't tell a difference highway, city streets or parking. i don't think it's gonna find it's way back on the car.

I replaced mine a while back and it made a noticeable difference. Much smoother and less steering kick back. I don't understand why anyone would want to remove it, in my opinion.

Took mine off, drove around for a few days before putting a new one on. Big difference when it comes to tracking repeatability. Wouldn't think of driving without one. on my last GT w/180k I was getting wandering when at high speeds. Put a new one on and it picked up any of the looseness the old system had.
By new GM part and put on.

When these work right, they shouldn't be very noticable at all....

Problem is nearly all factory ones are now dead. Either they have lost thier oil, or the valves are shot.

These work like allot of the velocity sensitive shocks/struts... They tighten up when something tries to force them to move fast but at normal turning by the driver they are pretty loose.

I beleive both Monroe and Gabriel make them for Fiero.

For most street driving, the majority of people should keep them. Makes things like Rail Crossings, especially diagonal ones, and pot holes allot easier on the driver.

For SCCA racing or similar use, you may want it off.

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11-Sept-01, The day the world as we knew it ended.

As most of you may know, I spend a lot of time competing in my 4.9, and also use it as a daily driver.

I run with my steering damper on. The ONLY exception is when autocrossing. I remove my damper when the "R" tires go on, and put it on when they come off. Otherwise, I leave it on while at the strip, on track, and on the street.

For comparison, my damper is less than 6 months old. I notice a huge difference below 30 or 40 without the damper - steering is lighter and the front suspension offers better road feel. Above 40 or 50 and all that road feel suddenly becomes uncomfortable steering wheel jerks, but the steering effort is about the same. The car seems less stable at speed without the damper.

Of course I have a "radical" alignment to contend with, also. That probably accents the effect.

G