graycenphil wrote:
I’ve got over two years on it now, and it’s just fine. Not too many miles, but works just like the original, as far as I can tell. I still don’t understand what that setup is all about.
The purpose is to reduce "NVH" within the power steering system. The most likely occurrence being when turning the steering wheel against one of the locks at the end of the rack's travel. Have you had any opportunity to compare the moaning that occurs at the end of travel with and without the suppressor? My guess is that this noise may be somewhat reduced by the suppressor. Probably most relevant during low speed, sharp turning parking and off-road maneuvers. Not something that would be noticeable most of the time.
These types of suppressors have been around for many decades, and are constantly being incrementally modified. Sometimes they are placed on the high pressure side, others on the return side. Here is an example claiming priority to 2003 that is placed on the return line. For what it's worth.
https://patents.google.com/patent/US20060201734A1/en