Steering Damper - 68

[Richard D.]

And now, a more technical question - I know that the use of a steering damper shock was discontinued in 68, but prior years had them, and I figure that it must have been for a reason.

Since the frame and running gear was essentially the same as C-2's, why was this done, and would any benefit be derived by putting on on my C-3?

I noticed on mine the drag link does not have the 2 mounting holes in it to mount the damper, but the mount exists on the frame side.

Wonder why that was.

Can anyone educate me on this, and does anyone know if a "bolt on" bracket is available to substitute for the missing mount bolt holes on the drag link (I think it's called a drag link).

Thanks in advance for any advice on this.

Regards,

Rich

[Joe L.]

Re: Steering Damper - 68

Rich-----

My expectation is that the steering shock absorber did not provide enough real benefit to justify the cost of installing it. Remember, no 65-67 big block used the device and no 63-65 with SHP and mechanical lifters used it, either. So, perhaps GM finally figured out that if these cars could get along without it, all Corvettes with manual steering could.

As far as retrofitting, if you have a 1968 Corvette, the rod should already have the holes for the steering shock absorber. Although 1968's didn't get the shock absorber, they DID have the relay rod attachment points for it. So, did all other 63-67 Corvettes with manual steering, whether or not they were equipped with the shock absorber. All original 63-68 manual steering relay rods were the same. All 63-68 power steering relay rods were the same, too. Both the standard and power steering rods were 3/4" diameter.

In 1969, the relay rods for both manual and power steering were changed and the rod sizes for both were increased to 7/8". The provisions for the steering shock absorber were eliminated from the manual steering rod.

If you have a 1968 with an original relay rod, you can install the steering shock absorber if you wish; I don't think that there would be a real benefit from it, though. Otherwise, there is no kit that I no of for installing the steering shock absorber bracket on a relay rod without the mounting points. As far as retrofitting a 63-68 relay rod to a later C3, it could be done, but I wouldn't recommend it. While you'd be gaining the ability to install the steering shock absorber, you'd be losing the 7/8" rod. You don't think that GM changed the tooling for the rods with the associated costs because the 3/4" rod worked just as well as the 7/8", do you?

[Richard D.]

Re: Steering Damper - 68

Joe, as always, thanks for the info.

I'm sure that GM made the change with the associated costs for good reason.

It's just that I happen to have a new damper, and figured that if there was some additional benefit to putting it on, I would go ahead and do so.

Regards,

Rich

[Jim T.]

Re: Steering Damper - 68

Joe my original owner 68 has the steering dampner, always has since the build date in Feb 68.

[Joe L.]

Re: Steering Damper - 68

Jim-----

Actually, I thought that some 68's had the damper. When I checked to confirm this in several other sources, I could find no mention of it, so I assumed that I was wrong. Apparently, I was not.

I do think that the damper was deleted sometime during the 1968 model year, though. If so, it was obviously done after your car was built. If any 68s got the 69 relay rod (i.e. without provisions for the damper and of 7/8" OD) they would have to have been VERY late cars produced, maybe, during the last month of production.

[Richard D.]

Re: Steering Damper - 68

That's very interesting.

I looked today, and my drag link does not have the holes.

My car was a Nov 67 build, so it should have them, with the smaller rod.

Not sure why it's different, but it looks like it was changed out then.

Thanks guys for the info,

Rich

[Joe L.]

Re: Steering Damper - 68

Rich-----

Does it have a 7/8" OD rod as I expect? If so, it was definitely changed at some point. Perhaps the original was damaged. The original 63-68 relay rods for both manual and power steering were discontinued in early 1969 and replaced, for SERVICE, by the 69 style rods.

[Richard D.]

Re: Steering Damper - 68

Joe:

I did not get a chance today to measure the size, but I will tomorrow, and let you know.

I did verify that it did not have the bolt holes though.

I guess it was replaced sometime in past for one reason or another.

Thanks,

Rich

[Richard D.]

Re: Steering Damper - 68

Joe, it was the 7/8 with no holes.

Rich

[Paul B.]

Re: Steering Damper - 68

My 1968, March 19, 1968( VIN #14222) build also has this damper which I believe too is original. Car is 42,000mi and unrestored. The damper is also dated "321 7". Does not look "added on". All brackets, bolts, hardware & the damper itself is just as aged as the rest of the underneath of the car.