HELP steering rack bushing replacement

[Mickey_7106]

No

Looks like you need a cylinder flex hone tool to finish the job. Does the new parts come with any warning like, "Some trimming may be required"?

 

[Lwile]

That’s a nice bracket

 

[Mickey_7106]

Yes it is. You remember how it was fabricated?

That’s a nice bracket

 

[Just Fishing]

Get it toasty, like 120f, use gloves

Don't trim unless you have to, it might make it sloppy.

I had some easy fit poly bushings i installed in my vette, went mushy when the car got hot on a hot summer day.

I ended up having delrin bushings made, and globalwest aluminum bushings installed where possible as a result... lol

 

[08grey]

Screw all that, this thing is not worth it. Rather put my effort in fabricating something like this. It'll serve the same purpose
View attachment 270655

If you make it make ill be your first customer .

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[scottierass]

This bushing is much harder than the rubber one. Its pretty hard to get one edge through as it is.

I'm done with this. I DO NOT RECCOMEND this product. I ordered another rubber bushing for $15 that gets here tomorrow.

After i trimmed it it still took a little wrestling to have it sit on on the bracket. Now it wont slide over on the rack. This bushing is just too thick. I would have to trim some more just to get it to slide over.

View attachment 270645 View attachment 270646 View attachment 270647

I have the same project coming up. Would taking some sand paper to the outside of the bushing help? Sand away the outside diameter of it?




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[kbuskill]

We also installed mine without trimming but it is a bear.

We used grease and a ranch strap and a hammer and 1/2" drive extension (as a punch) to drive it home.

Wrapped the ratchet strap around the opposite side of the rack and hooked both ends to the bracket with the poly bushing in it... tighten, beat and Fram with the hammer, repeat.

Definitely not for the faint of heart.

 

[91RS]

I gave up on getting mine installed but I honestly think the metal bracket that fills the voids in the bushings alone is worth the $50, it made a huge difference. I was planning on getting the bushing on the gear when I take it out to replace the seals for the pinion shaft to hopefully fix the damn squeaking/rubbing noise when turning.

 

[Mickey_7106]

I couldn't even do that. Mine's a 4x4 so the transfer case was in the way. Barely a finger of clearance

I gave up on getting mine installed but I honestly think the metal bracket that fills the voids in the bushings alone is worth the $50, it made a huge difference. I was planning on getting the bushing on the gear when I take it out to replace the seals for the pinion shaft to hopefully fix the damn squeaking/rubbing noise when turning.

 

[91RS]

That sucks. I'm so glad I waited for a 2WD. You can get the bracket in by unbolting the gear and letting it hang but you'll need an alignment after.

 

[George B]

That sucks. I'm so glad I waited for a 2WD. You can get the bracket in by unbolting the gear and letting it hang but you'll need an alignment after.

Why would you need am alignment?

 

[91RS]

Because an alignment is needed any time steering and suspension parts (minus sway bars) are removed.

 

[George B]

Because an alignment is needed any time steering and suspension parts (minus sway bars) are removed.

I understand but if you don’t change any adjustments and just drop the rack down and then put it back up all the adjustments should
still be ok. I have removed and installed many parts without the alignment being whack after.

But, it is always good to check when in doubt.

 

[wjburken]

I understand but if you don’t change any adjustments and just drop the rack down and then put it back up all the adjustments should
still be ok. I have removed and installed many parts without the alignment being whack after.

But, it is always good to check when in doubt.

I’m know where you are coming from. I’ve replaced front struts, lowered and reattached the steering rack and have taken my vehicle in to check the alignment afterwards and nothing was out. I just look at it as a little bit of insurance to make sure things are copacetic.

 

[George B]

I’m know where you are coming from. I’ve replaced front struts, lowered and reattached the steering rack and have taken my vehicle in to check the alignment afterwards and nothing was out. I just look at it as a little bit of insurance to make sure things are copacetic.

Agree

 

[91RS]

I understand but if you don’t change any adjustments and just drop the rack down and then put it back up all the adjustments should
still be ok. I have removed and installed many parts without the alignment being whack after.

But, it is always good to check when in doubt.

It may not change much from only dropping the gear but it can change. Loosen all four bolts on the gear and see how much it can move around.

 

[George B]

It may not change much from only dropping the gear but it can change. Loosen all four bolts on the gear and see how much it can move around.

Maybe I will check it when I get to replacing my front diff. I may have to take the rack loose to do that.

 

[91RS]

You don’t have the drop the gear to replace the front differential but that would make getting the bushing bracket in the gear possible without dropping it.

 

[George B]

You don’t have the drop the gear to replace the front differential but that would make getting the bushing bracket in the gear possible without dropping it.

I was hoping to not need to drop the steering rack to drop the diff. Do you need to take the cross member out from under the engine of can you slip the diff put of there? When the diff is out I will install that support bracket insert.

Regarding the bushing and bracket that started this thread. I am planning to explore making a solid one that clamps on but I am only thinking on it now. Next time I am under the truck I will measure it up.

 

[wjburken]

I was hoping to not need to drop the steering rack to drop the diff. Do you need to take the cross member out from under the engine of can you slip the diff put of there? When the diff is out I will install that support bracket insert.

Regarding the bushing and bracket that started this thread. I am planning to explore making a solid one that clamps on but I am only thinking on it now. Next time I am under the truck I will measure it up.

You should not need to remove the cross member to drop the front differential.