Last weekend I installed polyurethane steering rack bushings - my first 4 runner mod!!! Wheelers Off-Road supplied the bushings and were very fast to ship.

http://www.wheelersoffroad.com/

The install went very well, though it is critical to get the front wheels up off the ground. Otherwise it will be difficult to maneuver the rack. After battling a bit, I bought a set of taller jackstands.

The other issue I encountered was a problem with the center mount bushing. The lip of the bushing kept catching on the edge of bolt hole. I could get the rack in place, but then a piece of the bushing was blocking the bolt hole. My solution was to use some white lithium grease on the center bushing and sliding the rack in from the side of the mounting tab. I installed and reinstalled the rack twice dealing with this problem. On the third try I used some lube and came in from the side. Third time was a charm. I'm a slow study.

The overall feel of the steering is much improved. When the steering wheel is turned there is NO deflection from the driver's side bushing. Previously it would deflect by 1/4 to 1/2 an inch or so. The steering is much more solid and steady over irregular surfaces. I also noted that the warped rotor steering wheel shake is dampened quite a bit. It's still there, but not as obnoxious.

Next step - get them brakes fixed up real good.

Hope this help someone.

MadCityRich
2002 4Runner Ltd
Poly steering rack bushings

 

Congrats on your first of many mods to come. I'm going to order my steering rack bushing this week.

 

Mine just came in today. Should have them installed tomorrow.

 

ah...good post, i need to pick these up

 

Very good post. I'm about to do a set myself. Thanks for the advice!

 

how long does this take?

is it hard to do?

 

It should only take about 3 hours max. Maybe two if you really know what's going on and don't run into problems. However, you should allow for at least twice what it should take. You will need to have all the tools in advance. If you don't know what tools you need then don't start the job.

Search for the instructions - there is a link on a message in the forum - and you'll get some good advice.

MadCityRich

 

i got mines replaced recently i didnt do the work but paid a shop to do it $150 = (

 

Before anyone goes ordering these bushings...please wait 1-2 weeks. I'm working on a group buy that will save ya some $$.

 

^^^^ wonderful...i ordered yesterday and they are out of stock for an unknown length of time.

 

^ man thats wonderful news... I just took the last step to get the group buy rolling. damn.

If good news happens to come, i'll be sure to let everyone know!

 

Got mine installed yesterday and it made a tremendous difference. I was having a problem with the steering wheel vibrating back and forth after hitting a bump and this totally cured it!

 

I'm def. interested, keep me posted.

 

I guess this is what i need, I thought it was an alignment issue, but it looks like my bushings are bad. Sweet.

 

It is a mystery to me that the majority of my 4runner is a quality vehicle. Yet, my rear springs and bushings are quite low quality.

 

Me too, but they're only $15 at Wheeler's, how much will a group buy save

 

I would be interested, too.

 

A few notes on my experience:

I did this mod a little less than a year ago. While I was at it, I also added some poly front sway bar bushings. The reason for the mod being excessive bumpsteer over irregular surfaces and significant vibration in the steeringwheel due to slightly warped rotors. Unfortunately for me, it didn't solve, or even help the problem at all... so I think something inside my rack is no good.

Using deep sockets as a punch and a hammer is a great way to remove the old bushings from the crossmember. Lots of soapy water helped too. If you have the front sonoran steel diff drops, its going to be necessary to remove those so that the front diff hangs freely. At this point, it is possible to use a jack (or something) to lift up the front diff all the way while you remove the long bolt from the front of the vehicle. (the long bolt that the rack rests on.)

 

n.w.o.r sells steering rack bushings.

 

The guy at Wheelers Off-road pretty much backed out of offering a group buy. Kinda stange if you ask me since his second to last last email said, "I'll see what we can do for a price. Talk to you soon!"

All i was trying to get was free shipping or something similar. It wasn't the price i was after but rather, i think everyone should buy them for safety and maintenance reasons. Also, Wheeler's does have quite a few negative things said about them here but most all of them are buried in other threads and hard to find. So i just thought it would be to their benefit to help improve their reputation.

oh well, i tried.