Steering Rack- Rubber Bushing Broken

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

LibertyTC

Well-Known Member
Staff member
Moderator
Joined
Oct 24, 2008
Messages
9,081
Reaction score
1,747
Location
B.C. Canada
Is this easily replaceable?
39664[/ATTACH]"]
You must be registered for see images attach
 

Attachments

  • JeepSteeringRackBushing.jpg
    JeepSteeringRackBushing.jpg
    23.3 KB · Views: 3

LibertyTC

Well-Known Member
Staff member
Moderator
Joined
Oct 24, 2008
Messages
9,081
Reaction score
1,747
Location
B.C. Canada
Where did you get the bushing from ? Link?
Since it is the top bushing only, I assume I should simply be able to remove bolt and install new rubber bushing then and re-tighten?
 

family KJ

JPOTM WINNER
Joined
Feb 21, 2010
Messages
393
Reaction score
1
Location
Tampa, Florida
It looks like that, it is not. It is a through bushing. I just went to google for jeep liberty parts, I honestly don't remember, but there are only a few that carry the bushing that come up on google. When you read the link, you will see more about it. I wish it were just a top bushing, it would have been done already.
 

twack

Full Access Member
Joined
Mar 3, 2009
Messages
1,131
Reaction score
5
Location
rochester mn
mines been like that for 40k miles you guys had any ill affects or noises from it
 

LibertyTC

Well-Known Member
Staff member
Moderator
Joined
Oct 24, 2008
Messages
9,081
Reaction score
1,747
Location
B.C. Canada
Last oil change at the dealers, they spilt syn.oil all over from the oil filter, and now now the bushings shot. I am going to see if there is any movement in steering rack.
Should check torque on bolt, not sure is that 120 ft.lb for gear to frame bolts?
 

LibertyTC

Well-Known Member
Staff member
Moderator
Joined
Oct 24, 2008
Messages
9,081
Reaction score
1,747
Location
B.C. Canada
Here are some videos click on image to see them.
In this one you can see how the broken worn bushing expands & contracts based on:
Quick one quarter turns left and right.
You must be registered for see images attach
"]
You must be registered for see images attach
[/URL]

This one also shows whole rack moving where the 3 metal lines are on top.
You must be registered for see images attach
"]
You must be registered for see images attach
[/URL]
WTF? I wonder how much a good bushing should move?
What is this doing to steering or control of?
 

LibertyTC

Well-Known Member
Staff member
Moderator
Joined
Oct 24, 2008
Messages
9,081
Reaction score
1,747
Location
B.C. Canada
The new dealer bushing arrives today.
I am going to use it as a template to source out some rubber washers as a "Band Aid"
http://www.lostjeeps.com/forum/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?t=45830&highlight=
I have just inspected the driver's side bushing on the bottom. It appears to be in good shape from what I can see, and feel, though the skid plate. So my plan is to obtain Permatex #1 form a gasket, probably end up cutting out the bad gasket on the top, and use permatex to fill in around steel sleeve, and place new rubber washers on top to hold it all together better, place bolt back though and tighten back down to 120 ft-lbs.
Jayme, you replaced these bushings were were you able to replace the driver's side with out removing the entire rack?
 

LibertyTC

Well-Known Member
Staff member
Moderator
Joined
Oct 24, 2008
Messages
9,081
Reaction score
1,747
Location
B.C. Canada
Even though I now have one Napa replacement bushing, which is different than factory since it has no flange, I am preparing myself to remove skids & bolt to attempt a top of bushing repair.
The plan is to cut away the sloppy rubber and prepare a band aid kit.
I will get dealer bushing next week so see how that one compares if my fix does not work.
39693[/ATTACH]"]
You must be registered for see images attach

Have had good success with PolyUrethane once cured, so the plan is to fill in the gap after stuff is cut away and prep for the bolt to really hold it down from the top, taking out the slack.
39695[/ATTACH]"]
You must be registered for see images attach

When the stainless Shop is open I also am going to have stainless washers just in case those are needed and could coat them in a rubber poly if need be, to get things tightened up..will know more once I am into this job.
 

Attachments

  • JeepSteeringRepairKit.jpg
    JeepSteeringRepairKit.jpg
    110.2 KB · Views: 0
  • JeepBushingRepair1.jpg
    JeepBushingRepair1.jpg
    64 KB · Views: 1

family KJ

JPOTM WINNER
Joined
Feb 21, 2010
Messages
393
Reaction score
1
Location
Tampa, Florida
I am not understanding why you would not just change out the bushing, aside from it taking an hour or two more. Why do a "band-aid" repair
 

LibertyTC

Well-Known Member
Staff member
Moderator
Joined
Oct 24, 2008
Messages
9,081
Reaction score
1,747
Location
B.C. Canada
Simplicity on bolt..no fun having to replace bushing.
an alignment was just done and I do not want to deal with all that is associated to it right now.
Got brakes to do next week as well.
 

LibertyTC

Well-Known Member
Staff member
Moderator
Joined
Oct 24, 2008
Messages
9,081
Reaction score
1,747
Location
B.C. Canada
At shop on lift, removed skid plates, and air tooled off the driver's side bushing bolt.
I thought that the washer may have had a collar below, but here is the pic of bolt.
39871[/ATTACH]"]
You must be registered for see images attach

So after bolt was removed, this is what the bushing looks like:
39873[/ATTACH]"]
You must be registered for see images attach

SO since we believed that overall the rubber was still in good condition, and only the top part of the seal was broken, it was time to re-install bolt at 120-ft. lbs.
Basically left it as is, and after torquing down, it is fine now. There is no more sideways movement, and the gasket squishing thing that was going on in the video, is also finished. Looks like for now all is well, but I plan sometime when an alignment is due, to replace both steering rack bushings anyways.
Does anyone know if any poly bushings exist for rack & pinion.?
Going to send off to energy suspension an inquiry.
 

Attachments

  • SteeringBushingBolt.jpg
    SteeringBushingBolt.jpg
    18.7 KB · Views: 0
  • SteeringBushingBoltOut.jpg
    SteeringBushingBoltOut.jpg
    62.5 KB · Views: 1
Last edited:

LibertyTC

Well-Known Member
Staff member
Moderator
Joined
Oct 24, 2008
Messages
9,081
Reaction score
1,747
Location
B.C. Canada
Jayme,
The material choice of light weight rubber and design of bushing aint the best choice.
Poly bushing would be better as oil & chemical resistant, and hopefully stronger.
No need to replace the rack @ this point, just bushings would secure things.
Last time I contacted energy suspension they had brought KJ's in for engineering design/ samples.
Wonder if anything ever came to production on KJ's from them?
 

yellocoyote

Administrator
Joined
May 14, 2008
Messages
7,187
Reaction score
11
I hadn't heard that anyone was making anything other than an OEM replacement. That'll be interesting to see if/when they can make a poly replacement.
 

LibertyTC

Well-Known Member
Staff member
Moderator
Joined
Oct 24, 2008
Messages
9,081
Reaction score
1,747
Location
B.C. Canada
I am going to call them on Monday, they must have specs, if they brought KJ's in.
With only 38k miles on my KJ the 7 years are taking toll on bushings.
Also had to replace rear lower control arm bushings. (afraid to look at tri-link)
If I find anything new from Energy suspension, will post back info.
 

yellocoyote

Administrator
Joined
May 14, 2008
Messages
7,187
Reaction score
11
Yeah, I haven't even looked at the tri-link on mine. I probably should. :-s
 

Latest posts

Top