Steering Guard Opinions

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Thats just it mate.

Steering guards are good for smashing off rocks, but the steady driver is better without one, where hd bars are more suited.

I have moved my damper to the front bar and the rear one is half protected by the qt diff guard, so if say I've got a pretty acceptable level of protection now.

I'm sure an axle guard would help more, but then it itself has drawbacks, but hopefully those pics will help.

My analysis would be that steering guards are good for people who like to smash their way out of bombholes and deep ruts etc.

Personally I tend to have a go, then lock the diffs and try again (not too hard or you'll break a shaft! :D) and if that fails then winch out.

I see some guys going hell for leather and making it eventually, but I want to look after my truck, and I find the increased approach angle thing beneficial.

Cheers!
 
you have my attention now ;)

how does a guard that is usually bolted to the front of the chassis protect the steering arms at the front and rear of the axle without limiting articulation, greatly reducing ground clearance or even catching on the axle itself? maybe using a split guard, a fixed part for the front and an extended diff guard for the rear?

I wasnt having a go at either but trying to weigh up the pros and cons of both and from others experience i would be inclined to go for the bar.

EDIT: this is the sort of thing i was talking about in my previous post

southdown.jpg


the rrc has a steering guard but none of the bars have any protection
 
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Mr Noisy said:
Thats just it mate.

Steering guards are good for smashing off rocks, but the steady driver is better without one, where hd bars are more suited.

I have moved my damper to the front bar and the rear one is half protected by the qt diff guard, so if say I've got a pretty acceptable level of protection now.

I'm sure an axle guard would help more, but then it itself has drawbacks, but hopefully those pics will help.

My analysis would be that steering guards are good for people who like to smash their way out of bombholes and deep ruts etc.

Personally I tend to have a go, then lock the diffs and try again (not too hard or you'll break a shaft! :D) and if that fails then winch out.

I see some guys going hell for leather and making it eventually, but I want to look after my truck, and I find the increased approach angle thing beneficial.

Cheers!
Click to expand...

100% agree, i removed mine as i drive very cautiously offroad as the disco is my only car. most obstacles will hit the axle or the tyres first anyway
 
Hi there, it is bolted to the radius arm bolts, therefore moving with the axle. My Disco with 250,000 miles on the clock is until last week my only car. In 7 years it has been off roaded at least once a month, towed our heavy club trailer back home and taken me to work the next day. Twice it has come home on the back of a lorry (saved fuel there) Once for a clapsed wheel bearing and once for a siezed caliper. I have also had to straighten out the rear steering bar in my towing bracket so that is why I am keen to fit this Southdown axle guard.
 
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Southdown make good products, so I can see the reasoning for an axle guard, it just don't know how necessary it is when you have HD bars.

Sure would be nice to see one fitted to a member's vehicle though, hint hint :D
 
LuckyTrucker said:
Have a look here.

Southdown 4 x 4 Front Axle Guards

The link may not worl automatically, but you have the address anyway
Click to expand...

Have seen that style once before and wondered who made them and how they fit, southdown are a good company and their snorkels etc get very well rated both for quality and price but like Noisy says the link is for axle guards the steering guard is fixed to the chassis front :)

can you report back when you get yours and let us know how you get on? would be nice to see one fitted to a disco.
 
HI there, I will say it very slowly . The axle guard is bolted to the RADIUS ARM BOLTS. Therefore moves with the axle. The Southdown guard shown on the RR is a front steering bar guard. As the suspension in that piccie is at full extension, wheel off the ground it is not protecting the bars. When the weight is back on the axle then they will be behind the guard. BTW I am not on commission from Southdown.
 
LuckyTrucker said:
HI there, I will say it very slowly . The axle guard is bolted to the RADIUS ARM BOLTS. Therefore moves with the axle. The Southdown guard shown on the RR is a front steering bar guard. As the suspension in that piccie is at full extension, wheel off the ground it is not protecting the bars. When the weight is back on the axle then they will be behind the guard. BTW I am not on commission from Southdown.
Click to expand...

Stop getting offended because we have an opinion that may differ to yours, I have said that it is a decent piece of kit but if you want it explaining slowly the item you like is an AXLE GUARD when the original post was called STEERING GUARD OPINIONS. While you had your head in the southdown clouds the rest of us were talking about steering guards (you know the ones you have admitted yourself are bolted to the front and do not protect the bar when articulated/ fully extended) and weighing up the pros and cons between HD bars and steering guards.

I couldnt give a fook if you work for southdown or not but just cause you think it doesnt make it the best option. We are all allowed our own opinions.

Now you can stick your head back up southdowns pipe. COCK :multiply:
 
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I have a HD ally steering guard from padocks. Looks awsome and the recovery points are handy but still managed to bend a steering bar reversing back down a hill and got tangled up with a boulder. I now have HD steering bars and a diff guard fitted. Will see what i can break tomorrow.
 
Well this produced a bit of debate:D Cheers all and thanks for the opinions:)
On ballance, I think I will go for a steering guard and see how I get on. My reasons being:
a/ I don't do much off road, yet, mostly doing green lanes, and I'm new, so more likely to crash into something and could do wth a bit of impact protection. HD bars may be added later.
b/ I still want to get some decent front toe eyes and fixed eyes on a guard have advantages over Jate rings, in my view, (static line tow from RAC etc)
c/ I think they look cool, I'm a grown up, ish, and I'll bloody well have one if I want one so bollocks:D
 
SHEDJIM said:
I have a HD ally steering guard from padocks. Looks awsome and the recovery points are handy but still managed to bend a steering bar reversing back down a hill and got tangled up with a boulder. I now have HD steering bars and a diff guard fitted. Will see what i can break tomorrow.
Click to expand...

bent my steering bar exactly same way.
to protect the steering bars i replaced them with sumo bars and a gwyn lewis steering protection. its a 4"x2" box that the rear steering bar passes through. bolted to the diff and radius arm bolts. both very good pieces of kit. couldnt recomend them more. deff woth the money and the service couldnt be better.
 
Have to say my HD steering bars took a few knocks whilst green laneing yesterday and there fine so i think i'll be alright without a guard.
But i agree they do look cool, so i might be tempted by a 2nd hand one at a reasonable price.
 
I have one from paddocks. Comes with towing eyes and is three piece. It was only £40 ish. It's galvanised and I think it's 6mm. I don't really trust aluminium as much as steel.
 
hey guys,

u all seem faily keyed up on steering guards maybe you could help me ?? i've got a rrc but atleast 1ft of the front chassis has been cut off and there is no where to bolt on an original steering guard onto, maybe some idea's or some pictures if poss,

cheers

del
 
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