Steering rack bushing replacement

[00pathyse]

Has anyone replacedthe bushings on their steering rack? My driver side bushing has gone and I need to replace. I'm wondering how big of a pain it will be. Has anyone done this job and give some advice? Thanks.

[ltsnotme]

Yeah, a pretty simple job: jack up the front, unbolt the two brackets and replace the bushings. Might need a breaker bar for those bolts.

[00pathyse]

Did you have to remove any hydraulic lines? Or anything else to get the socket in there? Looks like a tight squeeze. Thanks.

[ltsnotme]

Did you have to remove any hydraulic lines? Or anything else to get the socket in there? Looks like a tight squeeze. Thanks.

Nope, I managed with just a socket wrench and a short extension I think. The upper bolts were pretty hard to get to though so if you have a universal joint, it would probably help.

[ballsie]

I just replaced those bushings a few months ago. I doubt the truck was in the air for 20 minutes. Pretty easy job. The bushings are $20/pair at the Nissan dealer.

[00pathyse]

Thanks alot.

I ordered a pair of Ricochet polyurethane ones (made in the usa) for 30$. Never going to have to worry about the driver side one from rotting out.

[ballsie]

yeah, my driver side bushing was completely gone and my passenger side bushing wasn't far behind it. The entire steering rack moved from side to side.

[00pathyse]

Ouch. Yea mine definetely has some play and makes a clunk too. How was the clearance from the frame to get the old bushing out and the new bushing on?

[00pathyse]

Got the bushings replaced today. Wasnt too bad, struggled a bit to get the driver side one on. Had to loosen the high pressure line on the rack assy to get the socket on the top bracket bolt so i lost some fluid. Steering is noticeably tighter and smoother now.

[9899pathfinder]

I wrote the steps I used here:

Broken steering rack bushing

broken-steering-rack-bushing-t578475.html