Steering rack bushings cheap options and alternatives. Reviews pending!

[da_jokker]

Just got done installing both driver and passenger side RC bushings. I was a little nervous at first but once I started digging in I realized how simple it was going to be.

Couple things I may have done different than others...

1) I have kid chaos braces on. Didn't even bother taking those off or releasing the outside of the rubber boot from the clamp. I just push the rubber boot outwards out of the way to get to the big nut.

2) harbor freight sells picks (they're actually on sale for $0.99 right now). The factory black spacer has three little tabs that snap into the groove. Using a long flat head you just collapse those in (basically distort them so the tabs don't want to pop out into the groove) And then a couple picks and it basically comes right out..

3) to get the bushings in, I happen to have a 36 mm socket. If you had one a little bit bigger it'd be even better. But the point I wanted to make was that once you get one of the factory black spacers out, you can literally cut off the little tabs and then use the spacer in between the bushing and whatever you're banging on.. kind of protects the delrin bushing.

4) for the RC kit, you're going to need snap ring pliers. Harbor freight sells a cheap set for $5... They were a bit difficult because the snap ring keeps wanting to slide off the tips. But between using the pliers and the flathead screwdriver on the opposite side of the snap ring, you can slide it down in there pretty far. And then use the tap tool and the old bushing to pop the ring fully into place.

5) just because no one's mentioned it, tie rod ends are torque to 32 foot lbs

I also use loctite on both the inner tie rod, and the tie rod nuts.

Whole process took less than 2 hours for both sides.

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[Tricky Dick]

CJ's finally shipped mine today, I expect them to show up after I leave for Moab.

 

[NORCALGXP]

da_jokker

Just got done installing both driver and passenger side RC bushings. I was a little nervous at first but once I started digging in I realized how simple it was going to be.

Couple things I may have done different than others...

Whole process took less than 2 hours for both sides.

Thanks for the tips, I installed the BB on the drivers side with the RC snap ring and the RC bushing on the other side.

 

[mcinfantry]

I installed both
A little over an hour and I cooked (grilled tuna on a nomad grill) while I was doing it

 

[da_jokker]

The only thing I wish, is it if you guys notice, a normal hose clamp is much wider than the factory metal band. (Basically twice the width)

I actually have some steel zip ties that were the perfect width but I just couldn't get it tight enough so I ended up going with the hose clamp.

What we need is a 7 mm wide hose clamp that has that large enough diameter. Otherwise a hose clamp basically crushes the outside lip of that boot and distorts it.

 

[mcinfantry]

The only thing I wish, is it if you guys notice, a normal hose clamp is much wider than the factory metal band. (Basically twice the width)

I actually have some steel zip ties that were the perfect width but I just couldn't get it tight enough so I ended up going with the hose clamp.

What we need is a 7 mm wide hose clamp that has that large enough diameter. Otherwise a hose clamp basically crushes the outside lip of that boot and distorts it.

I used a pex crimper and reused the clamps
I need to get some new ones, but don’t know the size

 

[redone17]

For $55 RC should include them in the kit

 

[Rkgzx9leftcoast]

5 minutes of Google says he adapted the idea to the Bronco.

https://www.viperpartsusa.com/product/steering-rack-stops/

https://xwebforums.com/forum/index.php?threads/steering-rack-centering-bushing.35264/

I get what your saying.... but who else had one last year, and put in the work to get it to market. Other vehicles may have had it, yes , but he had a solution for US first. All im saying.

 

[Rkgzx9leftcoast]

seriously. he didn't crack the Da Vinci code here. He "copied" another idea from other platforms and adapted it to the Ford housing. I for one would love to see this "R+D" process he went through that everyone keeps referring to. The shape, application and material are all well known entities.

Not defending Tyson on pricing, however he comes up with that is on him. I am saying , he is the one who fist took the racks apart, looked at others failures and figured out why the Cross shaft was kicking the top plate off and racks were failing. He then came up with the bushing design for the Bronco rack and tested it to see if it eliminated the failure. He did this with the Tie rod Braces as well. Say what you want, but he figured out the fixes first. He did this on the Passenger side as well, with his billet support for that side. Regarless of price gouging perceptions, he helped out the Bronco community.

 

[Silence]

Not defending Tyson on pricing, however he comes up with that is on him. I am saying , he is the one who fist took the racks apart, looked at others failures and figured out why the Cross shaft was kicking the top plate off and racks were failing. He then came up with the bushing design for the Bronco rack and tested it to see if it eliminated the failure. He did this with the Tie rod Braces as well. Say what you want, but he figured out the fixes first. He did this on the Passenger side as well, with his billet support for that side. Regarless of price gouging perceptions, he helped out the Bronco community.

Yes he was first to market, no one has denied that. The methodology of what he did is well-known is my point and he took the time to do so and as a result, benefitted from the work involved to develop. Kudos to him on that.

Fast forward a year, he invited competition in the door due to the price he charged and as a result someone has built a very comparable, if not superior part at a vastly reduced price offering. Instead of either a. defending his product on why it is superior and worth the cost, or b. reducing the cost, he instead chose to make an atrociously misguided video that falsely states the competing product is from China and chastises anyone who would purchase as such anti-American. Meanwhile, he silences and deletes anyone's comments that is pointing out the hypocrisy of his argument along with his documented use of many Chinese products in his videos. So ya, he is gonna catch flack as he invited it.

 

[Tricky Dick]

For $55 RC should include them in the kit

They run about $1 each in packs of 25 (the ones I buy for my tie rod kits) and probably 10 cents each for RC.

 

[redone17]

They run about $1 each in packs of 25 (the ones I buy for my tie rod kits) and probably 10 cents each for RC.

I was making a funny that they could include them and still be competitive. Too soon?

 

[broncorik]

As many of us swap our OEM pieces for the RC upgrades make sure to keep this in mind (the torque and not allowing the rack shaft to rotate):

 

[Sitruc_btb]

Exactly how I was planning to remove the stock (black) bushing. Spent way too many years as a mechanic not to know this trick, lol. When I watched BB's install videos (both his, and the one he did at MORR) I couldn't believe they were sitting there trying to gouge them out with a pick, etc....

I used a 90 degree pick and was able to remove the OEM bushing in one piece. Id rather not chisel away and leave pieces floating around the rack.

 

[GrumpyVet]

As many of us swap our OEM pieces for the RC upgrades make sure to keep this in mind (the torque and not allowing the rack shaft to rotate):

Kudos for posting this. Every video of these bb bushing being installed I’ve wondered if they are causing damage themselves during install by not supporting the rack as Ford requires.

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