Tom in Austin

Friday afternoon I was off work and finished up my steering rack bushes. By the time I got to the last one, getting the old bushing out went much quicker and easier than the first couple! I just used a cold chisel to raise the the bushing flange all the way around the outside and then a socket extension to bash the little f*cker up and out of the rack.

The new delrin jobs just tap right into place and the only other challenge was wedging something in from above to hold the rack bolts while putting on the lock nuts from below.

As posted by so many others, this takes out some slop and gives you a wonderful improvement in steering feel. This is one of the things that I would put near the top of the list if I ever bought another 928 ...

17prospective buyer

Nice to know, i'm thinking of going with the aluminum bushings from 928MS. I've heard they're both equally good.

Doug_B_928

Does one need to do an alignment after replacing the steering rack bushings? I just had an alignment done last year. Wish I had done the bushings first.

17prospective buyer

I wouldn't think it would throw toe out that much.

Tom in Austin

In my case yes, because i also put on a new tie rod end at the same time. In theory, doing just the rack bushings by themselves should make only a minimal difference.

dr bob

Subjective answer: Depends on how much the rubber bushings have allowed the rack to sag, and how much your suspension has sagged. A car that has sagged puts more vertical pressure on the rack when turning. When doing the alignment, this pressure (and bushing deformation) doesn't exist. More: A couple cars that I've added Delrin bushings to have needed toe trimmed slightly. Telltale was that the steering wheel was no longer centered with the car driving straight down the road.

Keep in mind that the collection of things here includes my DIY laser alignment fixtures, so it takes less than 30 minutes to set up and check/correct toe issues. Search for DIY Alignment to read up on several options for this capability.

17prospective buyer

Technically to do alignments right, you do a full steering/suspension components inspection, replace any that are out of spec (whatever that spec is), then do an alignment. Most people don't seem to have enough money to replace all the stuff that needs to be replaced or are blown away by how many things need to be replaced, somehow surprised that 10-20 year old factory original components are going to be out of spec.

At least, this is what i've experienced on daily run of the mill car owners that just buy a new car when things start breaking.

dr bob

^^^^, 17PB is very correct.

Of course, we typically shortcut that minor "inspection" detail when we roll up to the alignment shop with strict instructions to not lift the car. It's really the 928 owner's responsibility to do the inspections needed, like wheel bearings, control arm bushings, ball joints, steering rack and rack bushings, tie rods and rod ends.

H^2 in Canada recently marvelled at "how an S4 is supposed to feel!" after driving a very low-mileage example. Suspension and steering wear creep up on us slowly, such that we are not aware of the degradation until we chance on a low-mile or recently-maintained example for comparison. Got a car with over 100k on it? You also have a car that's a prime candidate for replacement of all the rubber bits, ball joints, tie rods and ends, etc in the front suspension and steering. Ditto rear suspension parts and bushings, since it's likely the rear has just as many miles and turns on it as the front.

911tracker85

this past winter I did MM, OPG, delrin rack bushings, tie rod ends, lower ball joints, shocks, and some other stuff.

got it aligned at Porsche. immediately noticed how much tighter the car felt. then started noticing a slight vibration when turning off center.

suspected wheel bearing as I did not replace. replace front wheel bearings, same vibration. and to be clear, a very slight vibration feel, but a new feeling.

long story short. I was feeling engine vibration. when on the gas and turn, feel it. when coasting down a hill and turn, no vibration. I have retested that hypothesis several times and now comfortable.

the MM did reduce general engine vibration. the stiffer delrin bushings and other front suspension work now lets me feel even more in the steering.

but still not up to the level of feel in my 85 911.

my 911 is my DE/track car, but I do want to take the 928 to a track event and wanted to be sure everything is up to snuff. but no plan to turn my 928 DD into a track car.

Lizard928

I inspect the suspension components all the time.
I find that the inner bushings on the upper frame rail are in most cases under dire need of replacement.
I have yet to see a lower steel ball joint gave any perceptible wear. But this is just a matter of time until they need replacement. Though there have been TONS of inner tie rods with lots of play.

dr bob

Ditto Colin's experience. Upper inner front bushings are hard to diagnose with the classic pry-and-pull testing, since they are darn firm when new. They can be pretty well worn and still pass that test. I'm at that 100k or so mark now, and probably need to bite the bullet and have mine rebuilt. 928 International just down the road offers them rebuilt on an exchange basis. I was thinking of swapping out the Eibach springs this weekend, good opportunity to swap in rebuilt UCA's at the same time. Hmmm.

Spring party on Saturday morning in Glendale if anybody wants to come by. Rob's strut compressor is still here so want to take advantage of it while it's convenient. If anybody else in this part of SoCal needs springs/shocks installed, speak now!

Tom in Austin

I'm with the Lizard and the Doc ... on my car I've redone almost everything in the front end now and the difference is just wonderful. Doesn't take much more effort to put in a new UCA when you have the shocks out and so forth.

jwillman

I snagged a set of the aluminum bushes at the 3rd coast give away and the rack bushings is one of the jobs I have not done yet.

Had I bought them I would have likely purchased the delrin although I don't have a reason why.

Thoughts on aluminum versus delrin especially in an OB?

Doug_B_928

I posed my question in post #3 but forgot to subscribe to the thread, and so have just now read the responses. Very helpful, thanks! Looking forward to seeing what you guys have to say in response to Jim's question.

antlee928

I recently replaced the steering rack in my S4 MY89 and to my surprise found that it had aluminum bushes. The new rack was installed with Roger's Delrin bushes which worked a treat. Previously I had noticed that with the original (?) rack and aluminum bushes that steering seemed a little harsh at times. ice tight feel but sometimes I would swear I could feel like a metal harshness on really rough stuff. The Delrins now provide a much smoother and refined feel and has removed the harshness (although I wouldn't say it was overly harsh) from the steering feel. it certainly feels more comfortable and quiter on rougher bitumen.Thanks Rog! Great bushes those Delrins!

Cheers