Which component on a landing gear serves the damping function due to constant hydraulic pressure?

• A. Brakes
• B. Steering dampers
• C. Indicators
• D. Reservoir

Answer: (B)

Damping steering motion is achieved by a hydraulic damper in the landing gear. The steering damper uses a cylinder filled with hydraulic fluid and a piston. When the nose gear is steered, the piston moves and the fluid must flow through restricted passages, turning the kinetic energy of the motion into heat. This flow resistance provides a damping force that is proportional to the speed of the movement, smoothing out rapid motions and preventing shimmy. The system is designed to keep the hydraulic pressure fairly steady, so the damping stays predictable across different steering speeds and loads. The reservoir’s job is to hold extra fluid and help maintain pressure, but the actual damping action comes from the steering damper itself. Brakes generate stopping force through friction, not damping of steering motion; indicators are mere status devices.