Question re: Steering Rack Mount Bushings
07-23-2014, 01:04 AM
#17
It's a good idea , much better than drilling holes all around which always results in broken drill bits , even when the bushings are on the bench. Worst bushing job ever? Series Land Rover. Local LR mechanic refuses to do them : "young man's work" he says. Well at 49 yrs I did mine and I will now concur : 49 is too old!
07-23-2014, 03:43 AM
#18
Drifting
I like the Delrin because they don't deteriorate with oil/heat/etc exposure as the original rubber ones do. They can be fit with a slight radial interference in the rack ears without worry about breaking the ears, vs. the aluminum with no forgiveness. The plastic will cold-flow a little as the bolts are tightened, so don't get overzealous with the wrenches when snugging these up; this is about the only reason I'd choose the aluminum over the Delrin. There are no rattles with the Delrin.
The air-chisel makes short work of the outer sleeves on the original bushings. Hand hammer and chisel is a little more work but it's just a one-time job.
The air-chisel makes short work of the outer sleeves on the original bushings. Hand hammer and chisel is a little more work but it's just a one-time job.
Thanks
07-23-2014, 10:12 AM
#20
Rennlist Member
I like the Delrin because they don't deteriorate with oil/heat/etc exposure as the original rubber ones do. They can be fit with a slight radial interference in the rack ears without worry about breaking the ears, vs. the aluminum with no forgiveness. The plastic will cold-flow a little as the bolts are tightened, so don't get overzealous with the wrenches when snugging these up; this is about the only reason I'd choose the aluminum over the Delrin. There are no rattles with the Delrin. ...
I took a different path, here: https://rennlist.com/forums/928-foru...ml#post9667668
The problem is cost, three pieces are more expensive than two, and there wasn't much interest on the part of our vendors here in a more-expensive solution.
07-23-2014, 01:29 PM
#21
Chronic Tool Dropper
Lifetime Rennlist
Member
Lifetime Rennlist
Member
I started out with the WSM-recommended torque. A year later I decided to recheck the torque and they needed a little more. The heads of the bushings had mushroomed slightly, but it wasn't excessive. The rack is still firmly sandwiched and has much less available vertical movement than the original bushings allowed. Jim's solution is better at limiting the mushrooming from bolt torque, but the downside is that you can't take up any clearance caused by vertical rack displacement. I could add a rubber washer above and below... The Delrins work great for street applications, and unless you are seriously beating on the car and have it sitting really low, there won't be enough pressure on the bushings to worry about. The aluminum bushings remove the cold-flow consideration, but the noise transmssion is obviously higher. Kind of like using spherical bearings in the suspension arms on a street car-- yeah it's more precise, but the NVH factor is significantly higher. Do I really want to see and hear every pebble that I drive over?
