Dont buy Noltec Steering Rack bushings

Kostamojen · 02-10-2004, 09:20 PM

Just wanted to say that I was helping a club member install some Noltec "blue" steering rack bushings on his 02 WRX saturday.

Let me mention before hand that ive done about 10-15 of these installs, all with whiteline bushings. NEVER have I had any difficulty with the actuall bushings until I saw these pieces of junk...

The driver side bushing was about 5mm too wide, which meant that it WOULD NOT fit around the steering rack OR rotate into position. It just got stuck, and folded over.

Not only that, but the material quality was crap. There were bubble defects in the eurathane everywhere on both bushings, and the bushings actually were RIPPING under any stress from trying to install them... Total junk I tell you

Anyway, ive never had any of these problems with the Whiteline bushings, so just stick with those folks. Ive never once seen any visual defects with whiteline bushings (exept for one that somone forgot to cut, but that was easily fixable!

) and the only fitament issue ive had with those was that whiteline seems to insist that the KSR200 model works on some USDM Subarus when in fact it does not. (Just get the KSR202)

Ill see if I can get the pics of the bushings to post here soon too so you guys can see for yourself.

* Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

Aerosim Research Ltd · 02-10-2004, 10:16 PM

There should definitely be a link to this post in the parts 'reviews' forum.

-Kym
kym.phan@aerosim-research.com

nhluhr · 02-10-2004, 11:05 PM

wow. glad i got the whitelines...

Bolster · 02-10-2004, 11:12 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by nhluhr
wow. glad i got the whitelines...

me too

Uncle Scotty · 02-10-2004, 11:22 PM

OK....I have a package of the Noltec steering rack bushings, P/N N12247, right here in my hand that I just opened.
I've had these for about 6 months or so.

They seem well made and although they do have a some small surface bubbles along some edges, they are well within what would be considered normal for this type of part. Inspection using a bright light reveals uniform material composition and thickness. Pulling and twisting each bushing reveals no apparent weakness or any defect. They are unremarkable in any other way.
They do seem to be a bit firmer material than the Whiteline bushings I've installed. I have not installed the Noltec bushings.

Kostamojen may have received a defective set of bushings.

I would not hesitate to install the bushings I have.

My 2¢

oldmansan · 02-10-2004, 11:41 PM

install his Noltec steering bushings in his STI. No problems. I bought the Whitelines, but I have Noltec front sway bar links and their customer service is outstanding. Send them an email, they won't disappoint.

San

Kostamojen · 02-11-2004, 01:58 AM

They werent my bushings, I was doing the install, and just venting about it.

As far as the parts review, whoops! should have posted this there in the first place, completely forgot about it (mostly cause i never go there)

oldmansan · 02-11-2004, 02:01 AM

the right ones? I compared the Noltec to my Whiteline and the Whiteline were a bit stiffer, but that looked to be the only difference.

San

drees · 02-11-2004, 02:54 AM

You must have gotten a bad set, I installed a set of Noltec bushings without any problems, they fit perfectly on my wagon. Love the steering feel now!

oldmansan · 02-11-2004, 03:48 AM

you've done 10 - 15 installs of steering rack bushings = you're quite knowledgable about how to do this. All of your installs have been with Whiteline, and you know their correct part number. Two of us have installed the Noltec steering bushings with no problems. I've got to think maybe the part wasn't the right one, or a bad set of bushings (I would think latter very unlikely). Either way, I've noticed lately some thread titles that have been pretty strong (accusatory). The one that comes to mind is BEWARE OF CARBOTECH, which was totally groundless. Not saying this one isn't valid, but my experience with Noltec has been nothing but good. Do you know the part number of the bushings you installed?

San

Kostamojen · 02-11-2004, 04:03 AM

Im certain as to that they were at least bad bushings. The width of the driver side bushing is NOT different between any model years, so I dont know what the heck could have happened but it happened...

I wouldnt have posted this if say, the Noltecs were cheaper or I thought there was some justification for not posting it, but there isnt. So I posted it.

mr2guru · 02-11-2004, 04:43 AM

Did you talk to noltec about it? I know the endlinks I have from them are absolutely top notch.

oldmansan · 02-11-2004, 04:45 AM

to your experience in this area (at least) as one set of steering rack bushings is all I've had the displeasure to install. Just trying to cover all the bases. You posted what you experienced, rightly so. I just wanted to make sure there wasn't a difference in the parts you installed, and the ones I and drees did.

San (rookie steering bushing installer)

Safir · 02-11-2004, 08:26 AM

My question is, did you, at any time, contact noltec or the retailer the bushings were purchased from about this, or did you just come on the baord here and say "noltec steering bushings are crap"

it is very possible that you got the wrong bushings. a bushing for a mustang or something probably fell in teh bin of "WRX" bushings.

Egan · 02-11-2004, 10:50 AM

First off, Kosta didn't buy them so it's not his place to call Noltec. I think he was trying to put out a warning for anyone else that buys these that there is a potential problem and they should double check before tearing their car apart. The passenger side was fine, only the driver's side was the issue.

These weren't mine either as I have the Whitelines, but we were doing the install at my house. As you can see there is an obvious width problem. The picture compares, from left to right, Whiteline to stock to Noltec. Do what you will with the information, I am merely providing pictures of the issue we had. It may be a one off error:

Egan · 02-11-2004, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Egan
...I think he was trying to put out a warning for anyone else that buys these that there is a potential problem and they should double check before tearing their car apart. ...

Okay, reading the title again I may be wrong.

ride5000 · 02-11-2004, 01:08 PM

my noltecs went in without an extraordinary amount of fuss.

i mean, the job itself is a pita, but it wasn't made any worse by the noltecs!

jm2c
ken

drees · 02-11-2004, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Egan
Do what you will with the information, I am merely providing pictures of the issue we had. It may be a one off error:

Yeah, something's definitely screwy there.

Kostamojen · 02-11-2004, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ride5000
i mean, the job itself is a pita, but it wasn't made any worse by the noltecs!

jm2c
ken

Naw, the job is easy after the 2nd or 3rd time

Im sure this was probably a bad batch of bushings, or at least someone putting the wrong bushing in the wrong bag...

Uncle Scotty · 02-11-2004, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Kostamojen
Naw, the job is easy after the 2nd or 3rd time Im sure this was probably a bad batch of bushings, or at least someone putting the wrong bushing in the wrong bag...

Might have been an after 3 beer lunch for the bag stuffer....

Egan · 02-11-2004, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Uncle Scotty
Might have been an after 3 beer lunch for the bag stuffer....

Kind of like those Subies built on Fridays!

WheelsCSM · 02-11-2004, 08:38 PM

I just put some Noltec bushings on, and it did seem like the driver's side was a little too wide. I was still able to get it on, and it seems to be working fine. They did have a few small bubbles in the Urethane, but nothing I'm worried about.

Uncle Scotty · 02-11-2004, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Egan
Kind of like those Subies built on Fridays!

Only those built in Indiana

BIGSKYWRX · 02-11-2004, 08:49 PM

Noltecs on, may have been a smidge wide but I don't remember (too long ago)- didn't notice bubbles.

The pic (w/ the whitelines, oem, noltec) above should be sent to Noltec, they may be oblivious to the fact that their's may be too wide.

Big Sky

Kostamojen · 02-12-2004, 02:31 AM

Oh and ya, Carbotechs do suck

02-10-2004, 09:20 PM	#1
Kostamojen Scooby Guru Member#: 2272 Join Date: Sep 2000 Chapter/Region: BAIC Location: Anti-Bunny Revolutionary Front Vehicle: 95 L AWD w/ EJ25 :) 1970 Subaru FF-1 Coupe	Dont buy Noltec Steering Rack bushings Just wanted to say that I was helping a club member install some Noltec "blue" steering rack bushings on his 02 WRX saturday. Let me mention before hand that ive done about 10-15 of these installs, all with whiteline bushings. NEVER have I had any difficulty with the actuall bushings until I saw these pieces of junk... The driver side bushing was about 5mm too wide, which meant that it WOULD NOT fit around the steering rack OR rotate into position. It just got stuck, and folded over. Not only that, but the material quality was crap. There were bubble defects in the eurathane everywhere on both bushings, and the bushings actually were RIPPING under any stress from trying to install them... Total junk I tell you Anyway, ive never had any of these problems with the Whiteline bushings, so just stick with those folks. Ive never once seen any visual defects with whiteline bushings (exept for one that somone forgot to cut, but that was easily fixable! ) and the only fitament issue ive had with those was that whiteline seems to insist that the KSR200 model works on some USDM Subarus when in fact it does not. (Just get the KSR202) Ill see if I can get the pics of the bushings to post here soon too so you guys can see for yourself. * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

02-10-2004, 11:41 PM	#6
oldmansan Scooby Specialist Member#: 17877 Join Date: Apr 2002 Chapter/Region: SCIC Location: California Vehicle: 2002 WRX Midnight Pearl	I helped a friend install his Noltec steering bushings in his STI. No problems. I bought the Whitelines, but I have Noltec front sway bar links and their customer service is outstanding. Send them an email, they won't disappoint. San

02-11-2004, 02:01 AM	#8
oldmansan Scooby Specialist Member#: 17877 Join Date: Apr 2002 Chapter/Region: SCIC Location: California Vehicle: 2002 WRX Midnight Pearl	Sure they where the right ones? I compared the Noltec to my Whiteline and the Whiteline were a bit stiffer, but that looked to be the only difference. San

02-11-2004, 03:48 AM	#10
oldmansan Scooby Specialist Member#: 17877 Join Date: Apr 2002 Chapter/Region: SCIC Location: California Vehicle: 2002 WRX Midnight Pearl	A couple of things, you've done 10 - 15 installs of steering rack bushings = you're quite knowledgable about how to do this. All of your installs have been with Whiteline, and you know their correct part number. Two of us have installed the Noltec steering bushings with no problems. I've got to think maybe the part wasn't the right one, or a bad set of bushings (I would think latter very unlikely). Either way, I've noticed lately some thread titles that have been pretty strong (accusatory). The one that comes to mind is BEWARE OF CARBOTECH, which was totally groundless. Not saying this one isn't valid, but my experience with Noltec has been nothing but good. Do you know the part number of the bushings you installed? San

02-11-2004, 04:45 AM	#13
oldmansan Scooby Specialist Member#: 17877 Join Date: Apr 2002 Chapter/Region: SCIC Location: California Vehicle: 2002 WRX Midnight Pearl	I have to bow to your experience in this area (at least) as one set of steering rack bushings is all I've had the displeasure to install. Just trying to cover all the bases. You posted what you experienced, rightly so. I just wanted to make sure there wasn't a difference in the parts you installed, and the ones I and drees did. San (rookie steering bushing installer)

02-10-2004, 10:16 PM	#2
Aerosim Research Ltd NASIOC Vendor Member#: 45648 Join Date: Oct 2003 Chapter/Region: SCIC Location: Costa Mesa, CA. Vehicle: GC8 CF 22B widebody Lancia Stratos Replica	There should definitely be a link to this post in the parts 'reviews' forum. -Kym kym.phan@aerosim-research.com

02-10-2004, 11:05 PM	#3
nhluhr John Wayne Toilet Paper Moderator Member#: 7327 Join Date: Jun 2001 Chapter/Region: NWIC Location: Seattle, WA Vehicle: 2008 Mazdaspeed3 Black Mica	wow. glad i got the whitelines...

02-10-2004, 11:22 PM	#5
Uncle Scotty Scooby Guru Member#: 16200 Join Date: Mar 2002 Vehicle: bah straw and coal straw and coal as always	OK....I have a package of the Noltec steering rack bushings, P/N N12247, right here in my hand that I just opened. I've had these for about 6 months or so. They seem well made and although they do have a some small surface bubbles along some edges, they are well within what would be considered normal for this type of part. Inspection using a bright light reveals uniform material composition and thickness. Pulling and twisting each bushing reveals no apparent weakness or any defect. They are unremarkable in any other way. They do seem to be a bit firmer material than the Whiteline bushings I've installed. I have not installed the Noltec bushings. Kostamojen may have received a defective set of bushings. I would not hesitate to install the bushings I have. My 2¢

02-11-2004, 01:58 AM	#7
Kostamojen Scooby Guru Member#: 2272 Join Date: Sep 2000 Chapter/Region: BAIC Location: Anti-Bunny Revolutionary Front Vehicle: 95 L AWD w/ EJ25 :) 1970 Subaru FF-1 Coupe	They werent my bushings, I was doing the install, and just venting about it. As far as the parts review, whoops! should have posted this there in the first place, completely forgot about it (mostly cause i never go there)

02-11-2004, 02:54 AM	#9
drees Scooby Specialist Member#: 25905 Join Date: Oct 2002 Chapter/Region: SCIC Location: San Diego, CA Vehicle: 2003 Silver Wagon Tuned with Enginuity	You must have gotten a bad set, I installed a set of Noltec bushings without any problems, they fit perfectly on my wagon. Love the steering feel now!

02-11-2004, 04:03 AM	#11
Kostamojen Scooby Guru Member#: 2272 Join Date: Sep 2000 Chapter/Region: BAIC Location: Anti-Bunny Revolutionary Front Vehicle: 95 L AWD w/ EJ25 :) 1970 Subaru FF-1 Coupe	Im certain as to that they were at least bad bushings. The width of the driver side bushing is NOT different between any model years, so I dont know what the heck could have happened but it happened... I wouldnt have posted this if say, the Noltecs were cheaper or I thought there was some justification for not posting it, but there isnt. So I posted it.

02-11-2004, 04:43 AM	#12
mr2guru Scooby Specialist Member#: 10334 Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: St. Louis Vehicle: 91 RX7 LSx swap '06 Passat 3.6 4motion	Did you talk to noltec about it? I know the endlinks I have from them are absolutely top notch.

02-11-2004, 08:26 AM	#14
Safir Scooby Guru Member#: 3873 Join Date: Jan 2001 Vehicle: . Paradise is like Disney with hookers	My question is, did you, at any time, contact noltec or the retailer the bushings were purchased from about this, or did you just come on the baord here and say "noltec steering bushings are crap" it is very possible that you got the wrong bushings. a bushing for a mustang or something probably fell in teh bin of "WRX" bushings.

02-11-2004, 10:50 AM	#15
Egan Scooby Specialist Member#: 12670 Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Granite Bay, Kalifornia Vehicle: 01 M Coupe, 05 Legacy GT, 05 Titan	First off, Kosta didn't buy them so it's not his place to call Noltec. I think he was trying to put out a warning for anyone else that buys these that there is a potential problem and they should double check before tearing their car apart. The passenger side was fine, only the driver's side was the issue. These weren't mine either as I have the Whitelines, but we were doing the install at my house. As you can see there is an obvious width problem. The picture compares, from left to right, Whiteline to stock to Noltec. Do what you will with the information, I am merely providing pictures of the issue we had. It may be a one off error:

02-11-2004, 01:08 PM	#17
ride5000 Scooby Guru Member#: 32792 Join Date: Feb 2003 Chapter/Region: NESIC Location: lincoln, ri Vehicle: 2003 GGA MBP 12.9 / 105+	my noltecs went in without an extraordinary amount of fuss. i mean, the job itself is a pita, but it wasn't made any worse by the noltecs! jm2c ken

02-11-2004, 08:38 PM	#22
WheelsCSM Scooby Newbie Member#: 20765 Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Arvada, CO Vehicle: 2002 WRX Midnight Black Pearl	I just put some Noltec bushings on, and it did seem like the driver's side was a little too wide. I was still able to get it on, and it seems to be working fine. They did have a few small bubbles in the Urethane, but nothing I'm worried about.

02-11-2004, 08:49 PM	#24
BIGSKYWRX Scooby Guru Member#: 7958 Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Plains of Eastern Montana Vehicle: 09 GH B+	Noltecs on, may have been a smidge wide but I don't remember (too long ago)- didn't notice bubbles. The pic (w/ the whitelines, oem, noltec) above should be sent to Noltec, they may be oblivious to the fact that their's may be too wide. Big Sky

02-12-2004, 02:31 AM	#25
Kostamojen Scooby Guru Member#: 2272 Join Date: Sep 2000 Chapter/Region: BAIC Location: Anti-Bunny Revolutionary Front Vehicle: 95 L AWD w/ EJ25 :) 1970 Subaru FF-1 Coupe	Oh and ya, Carbotechs do suck

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