Glad you found your squeak.

While the steering damper may make the steering feel heavier, its main function is to dampen out side to side oscillations. Sometimes in older vehicles, especially those with solid axles, the front wheels will give each other enough feedback to start oscillating. This results in the steering wheel shimmying in your hand. It peaks at one speed where tire rpm matches the resonant frequency specific to that vehicle and can get quite violent. The damper stops all that silliness before it can get started. Assuming no significant play in all the joints, bushings, tie rod ends, ad infinitum.

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Norm in NJ
Next oil change at 230,000miles

The steering damper does several things.

It absorbs side impacts and cushions the steering ball joints, reducing wear. This also reduces the shock transmitted to the steering wheel.

The extra stiffness greatly reduces inadvertant steering by the driver by increasing the effort needed to move the wheel (sneeze insurance on the Autobahn!).

The stiffness also makes the steering almost immune to following road texture, so the car wanders much less.

Very nice, I've never been able to figure out why all cars don't have them. You notice when they are bad!

Peter

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1972 220D ?? miles
1988 300E 200,012
1987 300D Turbo killed 9/25/07, 275,000 miles
1985 Volvo 740 GLE Turobodiesel 218,000
1972 280 SE 4.5 165, 000 - It runs!