Loose Steering Rack.....wtf?!

[Ethereal Zer0]

Had the car up on a lift the other day, it appears my steering rack is coming loose. Anyone had this happen to them, how easy is it to fix?

 

[Rootus]

Coming loose? I've had the bushings wear out. Either way, it's a set of bushings ($17 from MM) and a couple bolts, and you should be good as new.

Dave

 

[Car Nut]

I'm interested in this topic, too. My steering rack isn't loose, but considering the age/miles on my car, I'm thinking it would be a good idea to change the bushings myself, if it's pretty easy to do.

My steering is slightly loose, meaning that I can turn the wheel a couple inches without altering the direction of the car. Of course, this gradually gets worse with age. Am I correct in thinking that new bushings should restore my steering back to way it was when new? I've got an Acura RSX and the steering on that car is excellent at any speed or condition which frustrates me even more when driving the stang over uneven pavement.

I sure hope it is pretty easy to replace. I've got ramps, plenty of basic tools, and $17.00. Anything else needed?

Thanks.

 

[Rootus]

Basic tools & ramps will be perfectly adequate for the rack bushings.

That's not the only place where slop is introduced, though. If you wanted really tight steering, you'd replace the bushings with aluminum ones, and even more importantly, replace the steering shaft with a solid one. The rag joint in the stock shaft is the source for a lot of the slop.

But the solid steering shaft is >$200.

Dave

 

[Ethereal Zer0]

Coming loose? I've had the bushings wear out. Either way, it's a set of bushings ($17 from MM) and a couple bolts, and you should be good as new.

Dave

I think its probably just the bushings, so you just pull off those two bolts and replace the bushings?

 

[Ethereal Zer0]

ttt

 

[Rootus]

I think its probably just the bushings, so you just pull off those two bolts and replace the bushings?

Yep, it's really easy. $17 for urethane bushings, and it takes about 20 minutes. Only tools required are simple hand tools and a pair of ramps.

Dave

 

[Ethereal Zer0]

Yep, it's really easy. $17 for urethane bushings, and it takes about 20 minutes. Only tools required are simple hand tools and a pair of ramps.

Dave

Bad ass! Thanks buddy!

 

[95BLBLVert]

You would be very happy with the aluminum bushings. Anyone who drives my car comments on the steering being awesome.

 

[Ethereal Zer0]

You would be very happy with the aluminum bushings. Anyone who drives my car comments on the steering being awesome.

I've heard that aluminum bushings wear out faster and aren't recommended on the street....anyone have any comments on that?

 

[Rootus]

I've heard that aluminum bushings wear out faster and aren't recommended on the street....anyone have any comments on that?

Wear what out faster? The aluminum bushings shouldn't ever wear out themselves.

Dave