Steering rack bushing replacement

[mikedamageinc]

My steering rack bushings went bad a while back and of course there is no replacement for them. I found another post that someone used VW eurovan bushings but those werent even close to fitting.

Energy Suspension 3.2126(G for black, R for red) fit pretty good with only minor trimming. The diameter is perfect which is the main fit but the length needs to be trimmed on both ends. Each one is two pieces that go together and can be cut a little extra to make sure they go together completely but the lip/flange side is critical to make sure it fits in the subframe snug. I wont post measurements in case there is variance, but its pretty easy to measure the opening and see what you need to trim. A mounted bandsaw worked well for me and a bench grinder for smoothing and evening out.

Getting the old one out wasnt too bad, both were pretty bad so I used a pry bar to get the big chunk out then used a torch/scraper/wire wheel to clean it all up.

[Ilya]

Nicely done!

[Q70sGuy]

How many miles on your car before the bushings went bad? Haven’t seen this issue before!

[mikedamageinc]

Mine has 125k on it. I would assume its not that common since they dont make replacements but it happens.

[anewstartinchrist]

Mine has 125k on it. I would assume its not that common since they dont make replacements but it happens.

Interesting, what were the symptoms that led you to this being the fix to the problem? Curious to know if this is something I will have to do.

[mikedamageinc]

The steering felt loose and wandered a bit. After doing the usual check on ball joints and tie rods, and alignment was perfect, I had my son rock the steering wheel while I looked underneath and saw the rack moving.

[anewstartinchrist]

The steering felt loose and wandered a bit. After doing the usual check on ball joints and tie rods, and alignment was perfect, I had my son rock the steering wheel while I looked underneath and saw the rack moving.

Thank you for letting me know. I'm not that far gone but this is a great thread for future reference. I imagine the only other fix, at least in the eyes of a independent shop or dealer, would be to replace the rack? That probably would have been a good $5-$7k job.

[mikedamageinc]

Yea eff that, lol. I'd try to adapt a rack from a different car before I do that. There could be other rubber bushings that could fit without mods but it's easy to go in the energy suspension site since they list all the dimensions. One thing about the poly is it makes the steering a little too sharp. I like it on my track car, I run solid aluminum bushings on the rack, but in a daily a little compliance is nice.