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Old 09-28-2004, 08:28 PM   #1
nwdriftking
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Default steering rack bushing install. how hard to DIY?

I was thinking about getting the Whiteline steering rack bushing kit and I was wondering how hard is it to install? Is this something I can do in my garage? Also, does it really make a noticable difference? Thanks.

Tony
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Old 09-28-2004, 08:46 PM   #2
cnk
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Relatively simple to do. It will take about 1.5-2 hours if you take your time. Can be a little quicker if you work quicker. Drive up on ramps, mark steering knuckle, take everything apart, bend the power steering lines a bit to get the driver's bracket off, then reinstall. It made a difference on my car, steering felt much better.

Calvin
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Old 09-28-2004, 11:02 PM   #3
PARANOID56
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well, i just did this mod this weekend in my apt parking lot
its less then a hr job. not too bad, and not as bad as everybody said.
Shane
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Old 09-29-2004, 01:03 AM   #4
MT_WRX
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PARANOID56
well, i just did this mod this weekend in my apt parking lot
its less then a hr job. not too bad, and not as bad as everybody said.
Shane
yo tambien!

Definitely helps to have an extra set of hands to "massage" the driver's side bushing into place.



BTW - this could be one of the best mods I have done so far. Very noticible in a small way.
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Old 09-29-2004, 04:31 AM   #5
nhluhr
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15 minute job.

you need:
-ramps
-8, 10, 12, 14mm sockets and various racthets and extensions
-pack of grease
-new bushings
-pair of big heavy needlenose pliers or some good serrated slip-joint pliers
-shoplight

procedure:

-drive up on ramps and make sure your steering is centered
-crawl under with all your tools and a shoplight
-unbolt the small bolt holding the PS hardline where it goes up into the engine bay on the passenger side
-unbolt the bolts holding the rack brackets on
-pull the rack brackets down and out of there - you may have to bend the hardlines a little on the driver side to get it out don't bend it a lot, just enough
-yank out the old bushings by moving the rack down as far as it'll reasonably go and gripping them with the pliers
-install the driver side bushing first by greasing it up a LOT and then sliding it around... you should slide it around the front of the rack over top and around to the rear. A screwdriver may help push the leading edge of the bushing around the rack if your dexterity is that of a computer programmer. Position it fully and then push the bracket for that side into place but don't bolt it up yet.
-install the pass side bushing in a similar manner. this one will be easier to slide around. put it's bracket on
-bolt up both the brackets
-bolt up the little bracket holding the hardlines up by the engine bay
-wash hands and put on some clean pants
-drive car off ramps and enjoy
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Old 09-29-2004, 06:27 AM   #6
garie
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did this last weekend. i like the bushings.

it took me an hr to get it done...including time spent jacking up the car etc....

lube up the drivers side bushing to get it in....and bend the power steering lines a bit with a screwdriver or something, to get enough room to move the bracket over towards the drivers side so you can get to the bushings.

-gary
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Old 09-29-2004, 08:32 AM   #7
CTKAG
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The grease packet is your friend. Don't be afraid to grease that driver side bushing up. It makes a big difference.

-Keith-
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Old 09-29-2004, 09:24 AM   #8
Egan
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Old 09-29-2004, 10:31 AM   #9
Wagon Joe
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did mine yesterday and DAMN did it make a difference in steering response! I already have rear swaybar, endlinks, and front/rear strut braces, so maybe that amplified the improvement. Hardest part for me was also getting the damn square bushing around the rack... I got it three-quarters of the way, and it took forever to get it to peek around the front. Finally, some coercion with a screwdriver got it all the way around.
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Old 03-11-2006, 01:10 PM   #10
Butt Dyno
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nhluhr
15 minute job.
....-drive car off ramps and enjoy
For anyone that didn't know, Nick is teh Man.

It took me more like an hour, because I stopped after the passenger side to look up information about loosening the steering column -> steering rack bolt (didn't want to screw it up). Fortunately it lowered about a half inch without dropping completely out, so I didn't have to worry about re-aligning it.

It was Nick's technique for getting the bushing in that made this really easy for me.

john
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Old 03-11-2006, 02:15 PM   #11
boxered
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nwdriftking
Also, does it really make a noticable difference? Thanks.

Tony
It makes a very noticable difference. I don't know what Subaru was thinking with the OEM bushings...

ps. gease the stuffing out of teh new bushings before installing.
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Old 03-11-2006, 05:12 PM   #12
Back Road Runner
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There was a movie of a full steering rack bushing install floating around here somewhat recently.
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Old 03-11-2006, 07:25 PM   #13
IIdiceII
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Yea the driver side isnt as easy as the passenger side, but with a lot of grease it will slide in I lost most of the slop in the steerin wheel. Its good. I just installed em last night, as well as a helix front sway bar.
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Old 03-11-2006, 07:54 PM   #14
desertaero
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I just did it this morning. It took me about 2 hours but i took my time. I have the 05 sti steering rack so I don't think it was as hard as the regular rex install would've been anyway. I didn't really notice that much of a difference, and when I took the stock bushings out, they seemed pretty solid anyway...o well.
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Old 03-11-2006, 08:07 PM   #15
tuskenraider
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The 05 models got a new rack design so they aren't as helpful as they are on the older models. Though for $50, why not. I think I'll be throwing mine on tomorrow.
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Old 03-11-2006, 09:26 PM   #16
FuriousGeorge
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where can I get one of these bushings for my GC8? I think it was a friday when they built my car and they used marshmallows on my steering rack.
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