turning steering wheel feels like rubber.

[xagna]

When I turn the steering wheel, it feels like rubber. Car responds to the steering input about 1/3 - 1/2 second late. At the very moment that I push the steering wheel either direction, there is a bump like feel too.

What could be wrong with this?

[navysnail]

check your steering rack bushings. have you done anything to the steering system lately?

[xagna]

I am about to change the tie rod end and tie rod because of this. And the tie rod end boot is shot which resulted in almost no goobs left in the ball joint area.

Is stock steering bushing made of rubber? Do you think I should get one of these?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...ZWDVW

[xagna]

Oh, you mean this!?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...ZWD1V

[navysnail]

yes, the second ones. replace the tie rod and tie rod end first, if the seal is shot then they both need to be repaced anyway. if that does not fix it, then go looking at those bushings. bwt: it is the second one, but there is no way i would pay that much for them IMO.

[xagna]

Where do you think I should get new steering rack bushing like that nismo? I would like something hard like that. But not that much either. Pdm racing?

[xagna]

Changed the stock tie rod and tie rod end with tein ones today.

Turning the steering wheel to left doesn't have that rubber like feeling any more. But Turning to right still has the rubber like feeling.

I visually checked the steering rack bushing and found no crack. This means I didn't unmount the steering rack. How do I properly check the steering rack bushing most of which is hidden under the body of the steering rack?

[navysnail]

watch the rack while a friend turns the wheel, watch for movement of the rack. it shoudlnt move much. i remember some companies had urithane bushings, they needed a little trimming to fit but were much cheaper than those nismo. personaly, i would check on the OE price too.

[xagna]

Thanks a lot!

[s13sr20chris]

check out the energy suspension bushings. you can get the whole kit for just a little more than just the nismo rack bushings.

[xagna]

Does energy suspension bushing set include steering rack bushing too?

[navysnail]

yes. SPL has energy suspention steering rack bushings for $15

[xagna]

$15... Damm... Makes me chill...