Finished installing poly steering rack bushings and swaybar links!

[deftsound]

Well yesterday i finished up installing my offset poly steering rack bushings and MM short swaybar links.

Combined they made a huge difference! My old steering rack bushings were shot to ****, pieces were literally falling off the ends of them but still i never envisioned new ones making that big of a difference.

My steering is much more tight now, i used to have a lot of play in the center now its dead tight. If i move the wheel even a tiny bit the car turns. I love it! Makes my 109k car feel new again! The best part is i only spent about 25$

 

[cbsdd]

Were they hard to install, how long did it take you?

 

[Rickyll7]

It's a pretty easy install. Should only take 1-2 hours depending on how slow you go. I like to take my time and look around to inspect other areas of the car while I'm under there.

I also noticed a big difference, but my steering still has play in the center. I think it's due to excessive lash in the steering rack and pinion gears, which is total crap because I have a "new" AGR steering rack. I called them about it and they told me that their units are rebuilt. I guess they didn't replace everything that was worn out. AGR FTL!

 

[Kilgore Trout]

Nice work Deftsound. I also installed new sway bar end links, they are cheap.

The biggest problem I had after installing new rack bushings was obsessively checking the nut torque on the rack brackets for months after the install

 

[BurningRubber]

Yep... sounds like I need to do this also.

I KNOW my sway bar bushings are well worn. Still in tact, but badly worn.

Haven't inspected the rack bushings, but I can only guess that at 143k they have seen much, much better days.

Need to do trans. and engine mounts as well...

 

[deftsound]

Yep... sounds like I need to do this also.

I KNOW my sway bar bushings are well worn. Still in tact, but badly worn.

Haven't inspected the rack bushings, but I can only guess that at 143k they have seen much, much better days.

Need to do trans. and engine mounts as well...

Yea you will be amazed at the results after rack bushings, i bet yours are as bad as mine if not worse.

Were they hard to install, how long did it take you?

It took me about 2-3 hours for the bushings and end-links. The hardest part is getting the old rack bushings out, i used a couple of screwdrivers and some pliers and just boogered them out. Be sure to install the rear bushings first! I accidentally did the front ones first and had to get them back out which was a pita. Installing the end-links is cake, especially if you have an impact wrench

Nice work Deftsound. I also installed new sway bar end links, they are cheap.

The biggest problem I had after installing new rack bushings was obsessively checking the nut torque on the rack brackets for months after the install

Thanks!

 

[jonwrong]

On a lowered car, do you install the offset bushings with the offset (the hole) toward the ground or the sky?

 

[deftsound]

i believe it was up towards the sky