Steering rack bushings cheap options and alternatives. Reviews pending!

[HowieLong]

My sister in law does patent work for tech companies, its a long expensive process that nets next to nothing in the end.

Weld74 got rid of the take up bushing so they have to hold a higher tolerance. Its a whole different concept from stock. Weld74 is banking on not letting any movement occur to keep the internals lined up perfectly for max strength. Factory is like jello, if it wiggles it doesn't break till the glass bowl flies off the counter.

I believe that is 74Weld's point. If you put in the bushing the Jello won't wiggle and the stress will be placed on the stock rack housing which can't take that much stress.

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[Snacktime]

I believe that is 74Weld's point. If you put in the bushing the Jello won't wiggle and the stress will be placed on the stock rack housing which can't take that much stress.

Housing is fine, don't let the internet fool you. Its when you go atomic strength tie rods the housing becomes vulnerable. The bushings do a good job of limiting the Jello but not even close to the tolerances Weld74 is holding.

 

[DangerMTBBronco]

I was about to grab the BB Bushing because I am running the Icon tie rods wheel pretty hard and don't want to blow up my rack, but waiting for you all to report back on the RC version first because, well, I like saving some money to spend on other Bronco parts, and if I can save $300 I would love that.

It would be great if someone who owns the BB bushing could compare it side by side instead of claiming the RC is a comparable solution without inspecting both. I am sure BB will do that at some point, but that would not be very objective.

Based on images, the BB version looks like higher quality material based on color and appearance, the lobe portion also looks smaller, but I'm no materials expert, and the RC may be every bit as good, but that's my first impression.

Also, someone mentioned that these might be consumables and may need replacing several times as they wear. If that's the case (see my material comment above) and the BB version lasts longer, it's worth spending the extra dough so I don't have to break out the wrenches several times.

On a side note: Not here to change anyone's opinion of Tyler at BB. His perceived reputation proceed him fair or unfair, but I have wheeled with him several times in Johnson Valley and Sand Hollow, and he is a super nice guy, and I think his heart is in the right place (even if many think it's directly attached to his wallet). I do agree his prices are high on the bushings, like many here, but that guy and his wife have poured every dollar and their lives into BB and would help anyone on the trail in need, as I've seen him do several times with busted tie rods, axels, etc.

That being said, I love that he's out there crushing his Bronco and putting it into these compromising positions so we all can learn about its weaknesses and limits, even if that's with an extremely small percentage of builds (insert 40-inch tires here).

So I look forward to you all reporting back on the RC bushings once you have them in hand and how the installs go etc. Thanks!

 

[mcinfantry]

so the YouTube video states he applied for the utility patent. WHAT IS THE PATENT NUMBER ?

all I’m asking for if you have the patent, post the number. I can’t find a patent

im a veteran and can’t stand when people try to speak for me

I mean if this is yourbread and butter that’s not on me.

 

[BBQBennz]

more dough but hard to break:
Steering Gear. Gear Rack And Pini (Adrenalin Package).
Part #: STE822 (3504)
Currently back ordered but some dealer probably has one.

 

[NORCALGXP]

I was about to grab the BB Bushing because I am running the Icon tie rods wheel pretty hard and don't want to blow up my rack, but waiting for you all to report back on the RC version first because, well, I like saving some money to spend on other Bronco parts, and if I can save $300 I would love that.

It would be great if someone who owns the BB bushing could compare it side by side instead of claiming the RC is a comparable solution without inspecting both. I am sure BB will do that at some point, but that would not be very objective.

Based on images, the BB version looks like higher quality material based on color and appearance, the lobe portion also looks smaller, but I'm no materials expert, and the RC may be every bit as good, but that's my first impression.

Also, someone mentioned that these might be consumables and may need replacing several times as they wear. If that's the case (see my material comment above) and the BB version lasts longer, it's worth spending the extra dough so I don't have to break out the wrenches several times.

On a side note: Not here to change anyone's opinion of Tyler at BB. His perceived reputation proceed him fair or unfair, but I have wheeled with him several times in Johnson Valley and Sand Hollow, and he is a super nice guy, and I think his heart is in the right place (even if many think it's directly attached to his wallet). I do agree his prices are high on the bushings, like many here, but that guy and his wife have poured every dollar and their lives into BB and would help anyone on the trail in need, as I've seen him do several times with busted tie rods, axels, etc.

That being said, I love that he's out there crushing his Bronco and putting it into these compromising positions so we all can learn about its weaknesses and limits, even if that's with an extremely small percentage of builds (insert 40-inch tires here).

So I look forward to you all reporting back on the RC bushings once you have them in hand and how the installs go etc. Thanks!

I have the BB in the garage and will have the RC hoping on Thursday and will post with some info as to size and construction.

 

[KompressorV12]

Homie is pissed. Apparently America is officially dead and I’m the sole reason why. But is it really a lost sale if I can’t afford $350 hence why I’ve never purchased it? If this thing was $199 or $150 I would have already purchased it, but 700% more for plastic that could probably be 3D printed at this point?

 

[KompressorV12]

I have the BB in the garage and will have the RC hoping on Thursday and will post with some info as to size and construction.

Doing The lords work!

 

[DangerMTBBronco]

I have the BB in the garage and will have the RC hoping on Thursday and will post with some info as to size and construction.

Great thanks.

 

[Bronc6g22]

Not sure if it is snake oil or not, but:

BB = original r&d + hand made in USA
RC = copy cat + mass produced in China

I'm no fan of the BB "Bronco markup". However, from my experience, RC quality belongs nowhere that will be seen or act as a critical driveline/suspension component.

Curious to hear how this cheaper option goes for everyone. I'll wait for now.

 

[NORCALGXP]

Homie is pissed. Apparently America is officially dead and I’m the sole reason why. But is it really a lost sale if I can’t afford $350 hence why I’ve never purchased it? If this thing was $199 or $150 I would have already purchased it, but 700% more for plastic that could probably be 3D printed at this point?

Great guilt trip. Over priced.

 

[Snacktime]

That video kind of cements that the profit margin on the bushing is very nice!

 

[etmccaus86]

Homie is pissed. Apparently America is officially dead and I’m the sole reason why. But is it really a lost sale if I can’t afford $350 hence why I’ve never purchased it? If this thing was $199 or $150 I would have already purchased it, but 700% more for plastic that could probably be 3D printed at this point?

I do enjoy videos that simultaneously praise and shame the free market. The "race to the bottom" to build a better mousetrap is not new, and it's not solely tied to a globalized industry.

 

[Jviz4u]

I agree that Taylor and Amy very nice and helpful people that many of us meet on the trails and it hard to be objective even if the BB plastic cost so much.
Said that I think everyone knows that “plastic” parts are not all the same. Some part hold up for very long time and some are cracks and breaking after very short time. I personally would not invest my penny in un-tested steering part especially if that pat made in China. Kind of bad idea driving on freeway speeds and on trail until you know that it reliable. If someone here spend $40k + mod parts and try to save $300 on untested steering components - please help understand your logic.

 

[22Badskwatch]

That's the $300 question. Bronc-Buster charges an unbelievable amount of money for a couple little pieces of plastic. Bronco tax to the extreme.

do you know what "research and development" is? BB is a US based, small business.. people complain about US jobs going overseas, but don't want to actually pay the people IN THE US who are putting the work into creating products, they'd rather wait for some Chinese based company to make a knock off using substandard parts that will sell them for a fraction of the price, using the research/development that was initially done by the small guy in the US trying to put food on his family's plate.

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