Changed my Rack Bushings .. Crazy Pictures
10-06-07, 05:01 PM
#1
Changed my Rack Bushings .. Crazy Pictures
So today me and a fellow CL GS400 member Chenzo26 decided to change my rack bushings. I ordered some Daizens from TM-engineering and had been meaning to install them for a while. We used two regular Lexus car jacks and just a standard ratchet set, and a torque ratchet. It wasn't fun, but not too bad. Some bolts are tough to reach; however, both of us fat guys had no problem fitting our non-slender arms in the small spaces. All in all it took about an hour ... including the time it took to thoroughly clean the rack and bolt holes.
I knew I needed these bushings, but had no idea how unbelievably horrendous my old bushings were. The pictures should speak for themselves.... WOW.
The car now feels tighter than a size small shirt on me ... a noticeable improvement. Anyone else done this .. or thinking about doing this? I would like to see some pics of other member's old bushings.
Lemme know!
I knew I needed these bushings, but had no idea how unbelievably horrendous my old bushings were. The pictures should speak for themselves.... WOW.
The car now feels tighter than a size small shirt on me ... a noticeable improvement. Anyone else done this .. or thinking about doing this? I would like to see some pics of other member's old bushings.
Lemme know!
10-06-07, 05:06 PM
#2
Pole Position
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I did this a while back and I must agree with you, the improvement is quite noticeable! The job was fairly easy and anyone that can change a spark plug can do this. I don't think I ever took pics of my old bushings, but I do remember them looking as chewed up as yours.
I would highly recommend this easy upgrade to everyone
I would highly recommend this easy upgrade to everyone
10-06-07, 07:34 PM
#6
The car has 169,000 on it now. It had 100k on it when I got it, and they hadn't been changed since I owned it.
Usually rack bushing do not come with or need oil / grease. Daizen CA or Sway Bar bushing come with special white lithium lube, but the rack bushings don't. It would only help to rid of squeaks (if they were present). I used a tiny bit ... but its optional. The point is to achieve tight grips on the rack, so too much lube can be detrimental. Ya know
Usually rack bushing do not come with or need oil / grease. Daizen CA or Sway Bar bushing come with special white lithium lube, but the rack bushings don't. It would only help to rid of squeaks (if they were present). I used a tiny bit ... but its optional. The point is to achieve tight grips on the rack, so too much lube can be detrimental. Ya know
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10-06-07, 09:08 PM
#8
Ok, I got ya. The "oil" your talking about is absolutely power steering fluid. Any leak, which is pretty common, will usually drop down on to the bushing and corrode them badly... thus making them rot off.
It is essential that you address any power steering leaks before installing new bushings. If you don't you new bushings will be in bad shape after a year or so.
That is why mine were so ridiculous looking ... I had a pretty bad PS leak.
It is essential that you address any power steering leaks before installing new bushings. If you don't you new bushings will be in bad shape after a year or so.
That is why mine were so ridiculous looking ... I had a pretty bad PS leak.
10-07-07, 07:58 AM
#10
Lexus Test Driver
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I've got a 94 SC @104k. What are symtoms of worn bushings? Cant tell from looking and I don't think I have a problem.
Also, what's up with oem bushings that make Daizen your choice?
EDIT: wow, I read your post below and I have none of those systems at all. Must still be good, at least something is.
Also, what's up with oem bushings that make Daizen your choice?
EDIT: wow, I read your post below and I have none of those systems at all. Must still be good, at least something is.
Last edited by SCoupe; 10-07-07 at 06:06 PM.
10-07-07, 08:11 AM
#11
The common symptoms would be:
1. An off center steering wheel that can't seem to be fixed with an alignment
2. Having had a power steering leak for a decent period of time
3. Too much free-play in the steering wheel in general
4. Relatively loose steering in general
5. Squeaking sounds coming from the front of the car when turning the wheel
6. Actually looking at the rack bushings and finding out they look like mine did
7. A steering wheel that shakes / changes position ... ie.. might be off center to the left, then the next day to the right or fairly straight.
I went with the Daizens because they were easily available, reasonably priced (at $40 for all), and a brand I like in general.
They didn't look too much different than the OEM bushings would... if they were both new. Both had metal cores and were the same size. I wouldn't want to find out how much the dealer charge for OEM bushings.
*** I really need to know the torque specs for the rack bolts ... if anyone can please reply of PM me it would help out a lot!
1. An off center steering wheel that can't seem to be fixed with an alignment
2. Having had a power steering leak for a decent period of time
3. Too much free-play in the steering wheel in general
4. Relatively loose steering in general
5. Squeaking sounds coming from the front of the car when turning the wheel
6. Actually looking at the rack bushings and finding out they look like mine did
7. A steering wheel that shakes / changes position ... ie.. might be off center to the left, then the next day to the right or fairly straight.
I went with the Daizens because they were easily available, reasonably priced (at $40 for all), and a brand I like in general.
They didn't look too much different than the OEM bushings would... if they were both new. Both had metal cores and were the same size. I wouldn't want to find out how much the dealer charge for OEM bushings.
*** I really need to know the torque specs for the rack bolts ... if anyone can please reply of PM me it would help out a lot!
Last edited by IS_Sunny; 10-07-07 at 08:15 AM.
10-07-07, 04:10 PM
#13
Sorry, no pics during the work, I only had a cellphone camera to use.
It is really straightforward. No surprises whatsoever. If you search "rack bushings" in the SC suspension forum, you will find a DYI with pics, which is what I used.
The large Bushing on the left of the rack is held in by two 17mm bolts, while the other two bushings are held by a single 17mm bolt each. The only issue is some tight spaces and weird angels to remove 2 of the 4 bolts; however, like I said in the first post ... we only used a standard inexpensive ratchet set and two regular stock Lexus car jacks. Anyone can do it, but I would advise having two people ... one to hold the rack in place while the other person finds the correct angle to remove the "tricky" bolts.
Hope this helps!
Anyone know the torque specs yet?
It is really straightforward. No surprises whatsoever. If you search "rack bushings" in the SC suspension forum, you will find a DYI with pics, which is what I used.
The large Bushing on the left of the rack is held in by two 17mm bolts, while the other two bushings are held by a single 17mm bolt each. The only issue is some tight spaces and weird angels to remove 2 of the 4 bolts; however, like I said in the first post ... we only used a standard inexpensive ratchet set and two regular stock Lexus car jacks. Anyone can do it, but I would advise having two people ... one to hold the rack in place while the other person finds the correct angle to remove the "tricky" bolts.
Hope this helps!
Anyone know the torque specs yet?
