Powerflex steering rack bushings

windnsea · Posted: Wed May 04, 2011 8:48 am Post subject:

If you look in the Bentley Manual at pics of the factory rubber bushings and how to install them, it appears that VW designed the bushings for more sideways deflection than vertical in order to dampen some of the roughness introduced into the steering by such things as potholes.

Remember, the Vanagon really wasn't designed for high speed paved roads or severe off roading - it was designed as a work truck or a vehicle to bring down the hay from those high Swiss pastures that the cows didn't eat! Things like that.

levi · Posted: Wed May 04, 2011 10:09 am Post subject:

syncrodoka · Posted: Wed May 04, 2011 11:12 am Post subject:

Mick Ord · Posted: Wed May 04, 2011 7:02 pm Post subject:

My brother is coming over from the UK( no shipping , taxes etc), so i am getting this powerflex kit sent to him from brickwerks;

Lower arm inner bushes (Lower TCA bushes)
Anti roll bar drop link to lower arm bush kit.
Anti roll bar drop link upper bushes.
Antiroll bar to body bushes
Steering rack bushes

Are there any other bushes i should be replacing at the same time, or is this enough ???

thxs Mick
_________________
1991 Syncro Westy- 2.5 Suby
1989 Syncro Tristar ( sold)
1988 2wd Tristar- about to start resto/rebuild !!

madspaniard · Posted: Wed May 04, 2011 7:25 pm Post subject:

My understanding is that the guy at Brickwerks does not like how the Powerflex upper control arm bushings fit in the Vanagon but they are available. The other bushings to replace in a front end work are the front lower radius rod bushings but Powerflex does not have those available for Vanagons.
_________________
1991 Westy auto w/ Peloquin TBD

"The only difference between me and a madman is that I'm not mad” - Salvador Dali

jetpoweredmonkey · Posted: Wed May 25, 2011 11:14 pm Post subject:

Just wanted to chime in on the Powerflex steering rack bushings. First off, Loogy is a great guy to buy from and they got to me fast.

I will second everyone else's comments about the improvement with these. You know that dead feeling around neutral when you're fighting a crosswind and jerking the wheel back and forth just trying to stay in your lane? Kinda feels like your old Bug with a worn out steering gearbox? That is gone. Okay, she's still getting pushed around by the wind, but lane positioning has become much less of a guessing game.

As for any harshness, forget it. Absolutely zero new vibes in the steering wheel. I remember when I put urethane transmission mount bushings in my Bug and hated them. This is not the same stuff - it's much softer.
_________________
1991 Westfalia 2WD

Mick Ord · Posted: Sun Aug 14, 2011 7:15 pm Post subject:

Just fitted my powerflex steering rack bushes this afternoon and i think i may have a problem ???

i followed the instructions as per this thread- took out all four bolts, replaced bushes and re fitted with correct 18lb torque. I turned steering wheel to assist with this, gaining space to fit new bushes and to re-align and bolt steering rack back in place ( id did this all with the front wheels on the ground- if this makes any differance ???).

On driving van it is has very tight steering on the straight ahead, no self centering etc the steering is super stiff and "dead", i can turn the steering 1/4 turn and it just stays there, like its "too tight" !!!

Have i missed something, done something wrong ???
_________________
1991 Syncro Westy- 2.5 Suby
1989 Syncro Tristar ( sold)
1988 2wd Tristar- about to start resto/rebuild !!

Mick Ord · Posted: Mon Aug 15, 2011 9:24 am Post subject:

Any ideas ????
_________________
1991 Syncro Westy- 2.5 Suby
1989 Syncro Tristar ( sold)
1988 2wd Tristar- about to start resto/rebuild !!

j_dirge · Posted: Mon Aug 15, 2011 10:21 am Post subject:

Mick Ord · Posted: Mon Aug 15, 2011 6:52 pm Post subject:

Still kinda stuck with my 'TIGHT' steering after changing my steering rack bushes, my mechanic ( over the phone) thinks i may have let the steering column fall while the rack was loose ???, he suggests looseing off the steering " knuckle" and pushing rack back up and then re tighten......not exactly sure waht he means and where this is located/how to do it....any ideas/help ?

Thxs
_________________
1991 Syncro Westy- 2.5 Suby
1989 Syncro Tristar ( sold)
1988 2wd Tristar- about to start resto/rebuild !!

levi · Posted: Mon Aug 15, 2011 8:43 pm Post subject:

Look in my gallery of photos, fourth one down, your steering column may have dropped out of the 2 pins that hold it together.
_________________
One of these days I'm gonna settle down,
but till I do I won't be hangin round.
Going down that long lonesome highway,
gonna see life my way

https://youtu.be/cSrL0BXsO40

syncrodoka · Posted: Mon Aug 15, 2011 10:07 pm Post subject:

Are you sure that the steering shaft from the steering rack going towards the front bumper isn't dragging on the spare tire. You are going to have to poke around and look at what doesn't look correct as something got overlooked, this is too simple of a procedure. This is a odd one.
Good luck.

Gauche1968 · Samba Member Joined: April 13, 2006 Posts: 1518

Are the radius arm bushings available yet? I saw them on the Powerflex site, but Loogy's site doesn't list them. Question

_________________
1984 Vanagon GL
1984 Vanagon Westy

Christopher Schimke · Posted: Fri May 11, 2012 8:46 pm Post subject:

Zeitgeist 13 · Posted: Fri May 11, 2012 8:50 pm Post subject: Happy customer

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

_________________
Casey--

'89 Bluestar ALH w/12mm Waldo pump, PP764 and GT2052
'01 Weekender --> full camper
y u rune klassik?

IdahoDoug · Posted: Fri May 11, 2012 9:07 pm Post subject:

Can't believe you'd put such a nice piece of art out on your driveway like that!!

DougM
_________________
1987 2WD Wolfsburg Vanagon Weekender "Mango", two fully locked 80 Series LandCruisers. 2017 Subaru Outback boxer. 1990 Audi 90 Quattro 20V with rear locking differential, 1990 burgundy parts Vanagon. 1984 Porsche 944, 1988 Toyota Supra 5 speed targa, 2002 BMW 325iX, 1982 Toyota Sunrader

Zeitgeist 13 · Posted: Fri May 11, 2012 11:22 pm Post subject:

I find that stark juxtapositions like that evoke strong emotive responses in my audiences.
_________________
Casey--

'89 Bluestar ALH w/12mm Waldo pump, PP764 and GT2052
'01 Weekender --> full camper
y u rune klassik?

Syncroincity · Posted: Sat May 12, 2012 12:05 am Post subject:

Ooo, can I play?

"Still-life With Hammer" 2011

_________________
'86 Syncro CHC Top AAZ Turbodiesel
'04 Passat Variant 4Mo 5MT

Vanagon Build: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=466866&highlight=

j_dirge · Posted: Sat May 12, 2012 7:19 am Post subject:

Zeitgeist 13

I'm mesmerized by your jaunty arrangement of the protective covers. They draw the eyes upward, then allowing them to playfully sweep in a poetic arc down and then back up across the sensual curves of the rack. bravo, sir...bravo
_________________
Casey--

'89 Bluestar ALH w/12mm Waldo pump, PP764 and GT2052
'01 Weekender --> full camper
y u rune klassik?


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Powerflex steering rack bushings
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