Steering Rack Bushings

[Steve]

I am/will be making steering rack bushings again. My lathe is up and
running. Place your order direct so I may know how much material to
buy. They are made of Acetal plastic - trade name is Delrin.
Delrin has excellent properties for bearing & bushings, is almost
self lubricative, somewhat slick, long lasting. Bushings are made to
same specs as original bush. You must have mechanical know-how in
order to remove your rack from the car before the bushings can be
installed. I do not offer rebuilt racks, but will send an exploded
view for your reference.
Though acetal is fairly cheap, time involved for precision turning is
calculated into the cost:
1 pr $30.00, 2 or more pairs $25.00ea. Include postage of: 1 pr
$2.00, 2 or more pairs $3.00. eMail:
Miles Chappell
600miles@...
Call: XXX-XXX-XXXX after 7pm PST
Payment: Cash, check, MO or PayPal not by credit card. No credit
cards or COD orders. Send to:
Miles Chappell
PO Box 1262
Felton Ca 95018

[JASON]

So I go ahead and buy a couple steering rack bushings. But now
my mechanic feels the problem is the ball joints in the front
struts. He showed me some play in the joints and said they need to
be replaced.
My question is, given the amount of play I have in the steering
wheel, appx; 6 inches. And given he has yet to replace the rack
bushings. How likley is it that it's the ball joints causing the
problem and not the rack?
Jason
PDX

[rustyandtuffy]

Jason, I think you should have your mechanic prove to you that it's the ball
joints before you allow him to replace them. If he thinks your six inches of
play in the steering is due to bad ball joints he should be able to move each
wheel back and forth by hand without moving the steering wheel.
Mike in Portland

[Steve]

Duck down under the dash, pull the carpet back that surrounds the
steering rack at the floor, unlock steering and rotate steering wheel
back & forth. Watch the movement at the floor, the shaft will shift
side to side: This indicates worn rack bushings.
2. Jack up front of car, twist tire left & right rapidly, look for
play at the strut, the rack joints and sway bar bushings.
3. Buy me a plane ticket from San Jose Ca and I will fix your car.
Miles

[martykart]

will you fly to georgia? heheh
marty

[dealadayray]

Hi Jason;
Both Miles and Mike are on the mark. We all have plenty of racks with
good Tierod ends and soggy pinion bushings. Without seeing your Ball Joints
or your Tierod ends, I have to say the best bet is the pinion bushings. If
you can get to the ANZ group site, I have an article on how to pull the unit
without removing the engine.
Bill

[JASON]

Thanks all. As a Honda salesperson you all may guess that I'm
limited as far as my mechanical ability lol! I will give my
mechanic these posts this weekend and will let you know how it went.
Jason
PDX

[Miles]

You gotta wonder why Honda thought it necassary to have rubber
cushioned bushings on the steering rack - maybe for road vibration or
an occasional pothole?
I make them myself in my garage on my lathe from black acetal plastic
(Delrin) which has very good bearing & bushing applications. I sold
20 sets to Mike OConnor and many other sets to persons on this list.
Have had no complaints and will be testing a set on my own car pretty
soon. If anyone of my previous buyers knows otherwise please let me
know.
I made some test bushings from composite materials like delrin with
bronze bushing and bronze bush pressed into rubber sleeve. I could
make them from any material you like that is workable. Price for the
acetal ones is $30/pr and comes with exploded view of the steering
rack.
Miles
Honda 600 Parts, Service & Free Advice Since 1979