Questions about steering racks and bushings

[dbizzay]

Hey all,

A few months back, I had my car in to have the oil pan gasket replaced and my mechanic told me my steering rack bushings were worn and I should replace them. I've read a few places that lowered cars (such as my own) benefit from offset bushings. Is there any truth to this? Also, how difficult is it to replace these bushings? I've never done any work with a steering rack before. Is this something that can be done over an afternoon? Any help, advice or tips are appreciated!!!

Thanks,
Derek

 

[90mustangGT]

When you lower your car, you don't lower things attached to the wheels, the spindles stay in the same place, but the rack is further down which disrupts the geometery of the steering system. This can cause steering problems such as bumpsteer and the way alignment when your are steering. If you put offset bushings on, you could raise the rack closer to it's original position. What causes bumpsteer is when you hit a bump, the wheel moves up or down, but the rest of the car stays in the same position and the tie rod being a certian length, when it moves up it has to travel further, which is impossible so it will pull the wheel inward, or outward depending on it's location, and that will "steer" the vehicle independently.

Some recomend this, some do not. The correct way to fix this and to fix it for good is with a bumpsteer kit and knowing of how to set it.

 

[BlackFox5.0]

It takes a little work to get them on, especially if everything is rusted up...

Yes they do work, it raises the rack, so that the tie rods are not pointing up as much (happens when the car is lowered) This helps stop bumpsteer because when you hit a bump while going straight, the wheel will move up, as well as the tie rod, but since there is no play in the tie rod, and it is already maxed out as far as vertical movement. it pulls on the wheel, making the car steer on it's own.

 

[dbizzay]

So do I basically have to drop the rack, replace the bushings, then bring it up again? I assume I'll have to disconnect the steering shaft and the hoses coming down from the pump, correct?

As far as bumpsteer goes, I don't really have much of a problem with it, so I'm not looking for a rememdy....I've just heard that offset is the way to go.

 

[BlackFox5.0]

A bumpsteer kit is just tie rod ends that are adjustable in height, this way is much more effective than the bushings.

I don't remember disconnecting the steering shaft, and I didn't disconnect any hoses...

 

[Fox Saleen 163]

Yeah you have to disconnect the steering shaft to pull the steering rack out far enough to removed the rubber bushing in the backside of the rack.

I wouldn't suggest offset rack bushings to correct bumpsteer, and Maximum Motorsports doesn't suggest them either. Like others have said, if you have bump steer it's best to get adjustable tie rod ends.

Some have said your tie rods should be level with the ground for reduced bumpsteer. This is incorrect... they should be parallel with the control arms for the best geometry.

 

[dbizzay]

Thanks for the advice. I'm just gonna go with the standard Energy Suspension bushings (which is whats installed in the rest of the front end). Now its just a matter of finding them for a reasonable price (for some reason Jegs wants like 20 bucks to ship them to me here in Canda, eh?)