Steering rack bushings cheap options and alternatives. Reviews pending!

[broncorik]

BB should add this to his video...

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.

I have often wondered that myself...I imagine many folks use only their arm as the torque wrench and crank down the tie rod without keeping the shaft from turning... I don't think that can be good. I had to buy the weird crows foot from eBay, but at least I can use a proper torque wrench on it now. I got another crow's foot to tighten the jam nut on the tie rod as well.

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[mcinfantry]

BB should add this to his video...

I have often wondered that myself...I imagine many folks use only their arm as the torque wrench and crank down the tie rod without keeping the shaft from turning... I don't think that can be good. I had to buy the weird crows foot from eBay, but at least I can use a proper torque wrench on it now. I got another crow's foot to tighten the jam nut on the tie rod as well.

What size is the crows foot?

 

[broncorik]

What size is the crows foot?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/3140807890...PEon6tMQVy&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY
.
44mm for the tie rod to rack. The gym not will depend on whether you're running the 2.0 OEM or the 3.0 which is slightly larger. Oddly enough, the 3.0 tie rods when bought separately from the rack do not come with a jam nut...so I got a grade 10.9 passivated zinc plated one that is 24 mm.

BGS 24 mm Crowfoot Spanner... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004VRMZVA?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

And for those who had not heard this before the proper way to use a torque
wrench with a crow's foot is at a 90° angle...the diagram from Ford shows a standard wrench and a crow's foot that are parallel to one another...

 

[GrumpyVet]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/3140807890...PEon6tMQVy&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY
.
44mm for the tie rod to rack. The gym not will depend on whether you're running the 2.0 OEM or the 3.0 which is slightly larger. Oddly enough, the 3.0 tie rods when bought separately from the rack do not come with a jam nut...so I got a grade 10.9 passivated zinc plated one that is 24 mm.

BGS 24 mm Crowfoot Spanner... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004VRMZVA?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

And for those who had not heard this before the proper way to use a torque
wrench with a crow's foot is at a 90° angle...the diagram from Ford shows a standard wrench and a crow's foot that are parallel to one another...

Wait is the 44mm needed on a 2.0 or is it a 34mm?

 

[broncorik]

Wait is the 44mm needed on a 2.0 or is it a 34mm?

On the 3.0 tie rods the 44 mm is needed for tie rod to rack. I am not sure about the 2.0 tie rod size, because I have not yet pulled my boots off to measure (RC kits are several weeks out). I figured non-issue to get my old 2.0s off without worrying about the torque and then new ones will need the correct value. Perhaps someone who has pulled their 2.0 tie rods to install 3.0 or Icon can chime in with 2.0 size?

 

[NORCALGXP]

On the 3.0 tie rods the 44 mm is needed for tie rod to rack. I am not sure about the 2.0 tie rod size, because I have not yet pulled my boots off to measure (RC kits are several weeks out). I figured non-issue to get my old 2.0s off without worrying about the torque and then new ones will need the correct value. Perhaps someone who has pulled their 2.0 tie rods to install 3.0 or Icon can chime in with 2.0 size?

I have both 3.0 and 2.0 will verify size when I get home.

 

[Bmadda]

On the 3.0 tie rods the 44 mm is needed for tie rod to rack. I am not sure about the 2.0 tie rod size, because I have not yet pulled my boots off to measure (RC kits are several weeks out). I figured non-issue to get my old 2.0s off without worrying about the torque and then new ones will need the correct value. Perhaps someone who has pulled their 2.0 tie rods to install 3.0 or Icon can chime in with 2.0 size?

2.0 are 30-34mm (used a crescent wrench) 3.0 are considerably larger in the inner ball area...maybe 44mm. I haven't used an actual crowfoot style tie rod tool in years...here's the style we use now

 

[broncorik]

2.0 are 30-34mm (used a crescent wrench) 3.0 are considerably larger in the inner ball area...maybe 44mm. I haven't used an actual crowfoot style tie rod tool in years...here's the style we use now

Great for removal. What do you use to torque when installing? Same tool? I like the crow's foot because I can leave the tie rod intact instead of taking it apart (and just use a puller to disconnect the ball joint and unscrew the entire assembly to maintain alignment).

 

[Bmadda]

Great for removal. What do you use to torque when installing? Same tool? I like the crow's foot because I can leave the tie rod intact instead of taking it apart (and just use a puller to disconnect the ball joint and unscrew the entire assembly to maintain alignment).

Tool works both ways, righty tighty and lefty loosey. Not sure if it would fit over the outer on all vehicles...it might, but pretty rare to remove all at once (if replacing due to wear). Some inners these days have no flats at all, so that tool REALLY helps!

 

[Tricky Dick]

CJ's came through and I have my bushings. Seeing them in person even $50 might be a bit overpriced.

 

[V1Rotate]

CJ's came through and I have my bushings. Seeing them in person even $50 might be a bit overpriced.

I can only imagine how the $350 one feels then.. 14X as expensive by weight

 

[Classic28]

CJ's came through and I have my bushings. Seeing them in person even $50 might be a bit overpriced.

Should’ve saw the look on my wife’s face when I showed her and said this is what BB is selling for $350. Priceless

 

[V1Rotate]

Should’ve saw the look on my wife’s face when I showed her and said this is what BB is selling for $350. Priceless

Actually it’s more lol you get both sides

 

[NORCALGXP]

I can only imagine how the $350 one feels then.. 14X as expensive by weight

I have purchased both. Ouch.

 

[KompressorV12]

For you wrench geeks I'd love to see a wheeling trip then an inspection on how they held up. Probably asking too much lol

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