Daizen Steering Rack Bushings Install *56K Warning*
#97
Lexus Champion
iTrader: (2)
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when the bushings wear out they are no longer tight in the rack hole. this can cause noise, clunking, inability to make proper alignment, and the car wondering all over the road. if the bushings are worn out the rack will literally move with respect to the car. just imagine turning the wheel and the car doesnt turn. what happens is that when you turn the wheel the rack moves first instead of the wheels. when the hole that the bushing should sit in contacts the metal of the bolt THEN the wheels turn. you will have a huge delay in steering response.
the bushings in the rack are really not necessary. i machined my own steel inserts to replace the bushings and the car feeling 10,000 times better. its more responsive. basically imagine the steering response of a miata or pretty much a go cart
![Smilie](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
this is the ones i made a while ago.
![](http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b27/4sfed180sx/jzz30%20steel%20rack%20bushings/steelrackbushingsc3002.jpg)
the daizen bushings are a cheap alternative and they work...that is if you can get the hold of the guys in charge there
![Wink](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/wink.gif)
#98
Driver School Candidate
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: ca
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I just replaced them this weekend. It took about 5 days for me to get them from TMengineering. My old bushings were worn down to nearly nothing. They were practically destroyed so the metal sleeves just fell right out. The steering is so much better and I feel like I have so much more control. I don't feel like I need an alignment at all because the car drives straight. I can't believe Goodyear was trying to get me to replace the whole steering rack for $2,200 and a mom and pop shop told me $1000. I want to kick the Goodyear guys in the ***** or at least get in a good donkey punch.
Thanks
Thanks
#100
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (10)
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the rack is held to the body(technically the cross-member) via bolts. the bolts are isolated with bushings. this is done on a luxury car to eliminate any type of vibration feed back to the steering wheel. this is also a bad thing for a sporty car since you get very limited, mushy feed back.
when the bushings wear out they are no longer tight in the rack hole. this can cause noise, clunking, inability to make proper alignment, and the car wondering all over the road. if the bushings are worn out the rack will literally move with respect to the car. just imagine turning the wheel and the car doesnt turn. what happens is that when you turn the wheel the rack moves first instead of the wheels. when the hole that the bushing should sit in contacts the metal of the bolt THEN the wheels turn. you will have a huge delay in steering response.
the bushings in the rack are really not necessary. i machined my own steel inserts to replace the bushings and the car feeling 10,000 times better. its more responsive. basically imagine the steering response of a miata or pretty much a go cart![Smilie](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
this is the ones i made a while ago.
![](http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b27/4sfed180sx/jzz30%20steel%20rack%20bushings/steelrackbushingsc3002.jpg)
the daizen bushings are a cheap alternative and they work...that is if you can get the hold of the guys in charge there![Wink](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/wink.gif)
when the bushings wear out they are no longer tight in the rack hole. this can cause noise, clunking, inability to make proper alignment, and the car wondering all over the road. if the bushings are worn out the rack will literally move with respect to the car. just imagine turning the wheel and the car doesnt turn. what happens is that when you turn the wheel the rack moves first instead of the wheels. when the hole that the bushing should sit in contacts the metal of the bolt THEN the wheels turn. you will have a huge delay in steering response.
the bushings in the rack are really not necessary. i machined my own steel inserts to replace the bushings and the car feeling 10,000 times better. its more responsive. basically imagine the steering response of a miata or pretty much a go cart
![Smilie](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
this is the ones i made a while ago.
![](http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b27/4sfed180sx/jzz30%20steel%20rack%20bushings/steelrackbushingsc3002.jpg)
the daizen bushings are a cheap alternative and they work...that is if you can get the hold of the guys in charge there
![Wink](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/wink.gif)
Did you also do the big bushings that wraps around the rack?
#102
Driver School Candidate
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Is there a way to diagnose bad rack bushings? I pried on the rack with the car on ramps and there was no obvious movement. Do the wheels have to be off the ground or you jsut can't tell until you pull the old bushings?
#105
Lead Lap
iTrader: (1)
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The purpose is to take the slop out of your steering. If you are hearing a clunk every time you turn the wheel, it is most likely the steering rack bushings which aren't tight in the socket anymore. The steering rack is moving freely before the wheels actually turn, thus creating slop in the steering. When you replace the bushings, the rack sits tightly in place and doesn't move from destoyed bushings.
Well that is the idea anyway. When I get them, I'm sure I will be pleased.
Well that is the idea anyway. When I get them, I'm sure I will be pleased.