Author |
Message |
4mymalamute Samba Member
Joined: May 13, 2018 Posts: 138 Location: Sacramento
|
Posted: Tue Sep 03, 2019 6:43 pm Post subject: New steering rack bushings... OMG, awesome! |
|
|
So I ordered up some Powerflex steering bushings just because I figured why not, originals in there I am sure..Well, I have to say, such a HUGE improvement. Makes Sally the Syncro feel a bit more solid while driving down the road. I would say to anyone that has been thinking of doing it, do it. An hour job if that (I was taking my time) and under 60 bucks total. _________________ 1989 Sally the Syncro.....she is a work in progress. 1.8T and tuned...she scoots up the hills...watch for flying dog drool out the windows.
1969 Bucky the Bug Convertible...red, rusted, work in progress....LOTS of work. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
bobbyblack Samba Member
Joined: May 21, 2015 Posts: 4332 Location: United States, Iowa
|
Posted: Tue Sep 03, 2019 8:05 pm Post subject: Re: New steering rack bushings....OMG awesome! |
|
|
cool beans, ya!
An hour?
huh.. I was on my back with my legs up in the rack and then toes push-pulling the front of the tire for at least 2 hours AFTER I got the bolts off! Took an hour just to figure out how to use the right combination of tools to get the old nuts freed up. AND, that was with the help of an air hammer!!! I did get a wrench stuck at one point which took so much time just to figure out how to NOT use a cutting wheel to resolve. Glad I was patient.
I really need to realize that I need to multiply these project time frames by a factor of 3 or 4, I'm just floored when I get done. (probably my health history .. there ARE worse things than dying)
BUT, I do agree, the PS bushings made a huge performance gain, no doubt!!
-bobby _________________ '87 Westy 'Flossie','86 Westy 'R1','86 tintop GL - Subi2.2 'J2','83.5 stock tintop L 'ZoomBus','74 Karmann Ghia, '63 Notch |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Marshj Samba Member
Joined: May 26, 2017 Posts: 268 Location: New Jersey
|
Posted: Tue Sep 03, 2019 8:53 pm Post subject: Re: New steering rack bushings....OMG awesome! |
|
|
Agreed. Single greatest improvement made to my van.
It was uncomfortable and unsafe above 63 mph before. Drove 73 today for a minute. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
erikgundy98 Samba Member
Joined: September 06, 2009 Posts: 297 Location: Vancouver WA
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
syncrodoka Samba Member
Joined: December 27, 2005 Posts: 11998 Location: Santa Cruz, CA
|
Posted: Tue Sep 03, 2019 10:04 pm Post subject: Re: New steering rack bushings....OMG awesome! |
|
|
T3technique stocks powerflex and whiteline steering rack bushings |
|
Back to top |
|
|
syncrodoka Samba Member
Joined: December 27, 2005 Posts: 11998 Location: Santa Cruz, CA
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
Jake de Villiers Samba Member
Joined: October 24, 2007 Posts: 5911 Location: Tsawwassen, BC
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
jlrftype7 Samba Member
Joined: July 24, 2018 Posts: 3549 Location: Chicago
|
Posted: Wed Sep 04, 2019 8:34 am Post subject: Re: New steering rack bushings....OMG awesome! |
|
|
yeah, I replaced the stock ones on my Manual Str. Rack and replaced the rubber coupler right in front of the rack at the same time. Def. improved the steering. _________________ '68 Westy- my first VW and vehicle/Bus- long gone.- sold it to a traveling Swiss couple....
'67 Type 3 Fastback, my 2nd car- gone
'69 Semi-Auto Stick Shift Beetle-gone
2017 MINI Coopers, our current DDs
‘84 Tin Top - Hilga....Auto |
|
Back to top |
|
|
erikgundy98 Samba Member
Joined: September 06, 2009 Posts: 297 Location: Vancouver WA
|
Posted: Wed Sep 04, 2019 9:39 am Post subject: Re: New steering rack bushings....OMG awesome! |
|
|
For sure! I just googled the Powerflex and that was the first hit I got.
I didn’t know if the OP was referring to Chris’s or not. I will definitely order from T3 _________________ '90 Multivan Westfalia |
|
Back to top |
|
|
T3messie Samba Member
Joined: October 03, 2017 Posts: 208 Location: Germany
|
Posted: Wed Sep 04, 2019 10:24 am Post subject: Re: New steering rack bushings....OMG awesome! |
|
|
From T3technique website:
"The stock rubber steering rack bushings allow the steering rack to move on the chassis during steering input and from road forces that are transmitted through the tires to the steering system."
The stock bushings are spared on the sides so the rack can move and these forces are not transmitted to my arms.
I like that. My T3 are not for racing. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
mikemtnbike Samba Member
Joined: March 26, 2015 Posts: 2779 Location: North Carolina
|
Posted: Wed Sep 04, 2019 10:34 am Post subject: Re: New steering rack bushings....OMG awesome! |
|
|
the poly bushings give MUCH less feedback to my arms compared to probably original equipment stock. Much much less. Maybe new stock would be different, but as I posted in a similar thread some weeks ago, this is a great and easy upgrade. _________________ 1991 Vanagon GL 2.1 AT Westfauxlia. "Frankie" Totaled https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=764510&highlight=carnage
1995 Eurovan Camper "Marzivan"
2020 GTI SE manual |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Franklinstower Samba Member
Joined: September 21, 2006 Posts: 1892 Location: PNW
|
Posted: Wed Sep 04, 2019 10:40 am Post subject: Re: New steering rack bushings....OMG awesome! |
|
|
Is there a possibility of over tightening the bushings when installing? Since they have a metal sleeve, they can only get so tight... I think I read 18ft lbs is the number, but I just went to good-n-tight which I assume is more than a measly 18 ft pounds. _________________ '89 Westy - EJ25/22 Frank 4.44 5mt
'75 Miami Blue Sunroof FI Standard Bug |
|
Back to top |
|
|
mikemtnbike Samba Member
Joined: March 26, 2015 Posts: 2779 Location: North Carolina
|
Posted: Wed Sep 04, 2019 10:55 am Post subject: Re: New steering rack bushings....OMG awesome! |
|
|
I did the torque setting whatever that was in Bentley- I'd say yes, overtightening is a possibility. _________________ 1991 Vanagon GL 2.1 AT Westfauxlia. "Frankie" Totaled https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=764510&highlight=carnage
1995 Eurovan Camper "Marzivan"
2020 GTI SE manual |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Franklinstower Samba Member
Joined: September 21, 2006 Posts: 1892 Location: PNW
|
Posted: Wed Sep 04, 2019 12:11 pm Post subject: Re: New steering rack bushings....OMG awesome! |
|
|
mikemtnbike wrote: |
I did the torque setting whatever that was in Bentley- I'd say yes, overtightening is a possibility. |
Cool, thanks MtnBikeMike - I'll back off the torque to the bentley...
FYI -
Don't forget your history,
Know your destiny
You got the horse race
You got the dog race
You got the human-race
But this is a rat race! _________________ '89 Westy - EJ25/22 Frank 4.44 5mt
'75 Miami Blue Sunroof FI Standard Bug |
|
Back to top |
|
|
|