Steering rack metal bushings ?

[garrymc]

Hi,
How loose can the metal bushings in the ends of the steering rack be ? The drivers side is very sloppy , the other one is not too bad.

Garry

[GTJIM]

You answer your own question!

Steering is a "critical component" - needs to be in top notch condition. Very sloppy means replace them NOW.

If left too long the gear teeth on the rack will get chopped about and the rack will never feel right - even with new bushes - and it will be difficult to adjust, if not impossible.

While you are about it replace the rubber mounting bushes that hold the rack to the suspension cross member.

Your car will love you for it!

The bushes - metal & rubber - are available from several suppliers: USAOpel; GTSource et al.

PS: Check the Tie Rods and Ball Joints while you are about it as they will need to be removed to get the new metal bushes changed.

[ddoyle]

Garry, not sure what bushings you are refering to. Are they on the steering linkage itself? Are you talking about the inner tie rod ends, if so I would allow no play.

DAN

[garrymc]

Steering rack bushings are not currently available from OGTS. There are having some made and I am on back order with them. These are the metal bushings inside both ends of the rack, not the rubber rack to crossmember bushings, or anything to do with the inner/outer tierods.

Here is my question. Do the bushing inside the Manta rack interchange???

I found a Manta in a junk yard with fairly tight bushings.

Garry

[opelbits]

I don't believe the Manta and GT bushings interchange.

I remember when I disassembled my GT rack and compared it to the Manta, that there were several differences. The bushing was one of them.

[garrymc]

OGTS is still having trouble getting these bushings made. I understand they do not have a good sample part for there supplier to copy. Stuff happens and they do not wish to supply an inferior part. I would not want a part that fit poorly too.

I was told the drivers side needs room for the pinion preload. Thats why that side seems so sloppy. My passenger side bushing was very bad. I do not think toe-in could have been set the way it was. My GT has been on stands since November last year.

Here is what I did...opened up the bushing and sleeved it with brass. I think it will work ok.(sorry so long winded!)

Garry

[RallyBob]

The driver's side is supposed to be loose. Otherwise the pinion could not be installed. all the slop is compensated for when the pinion lash is properly adjusted. Manta bushings are not the same.

Bob

[garrymc]

I reused the driver side bushing. It looks like my repaired bushing will work ok, at least for the short term. I would expect it to wear quicker that the sintered iron original.

I'm thinking of making one out of oilite bronze stock. We will see....

Garry

[GTJIM]

"Make sure that the three slots on the outside of the sintered metal rack guide bush are FREE FROM GREASE. If grease is left in these slots the rubber belows will be pulled into the steering rack as a result of the build-up in vacuum during operation of the rack and the steering WILL SEIZE!"

From my new 'Opel Kadett Repair Guide' by Peter Russek.

That is why the bush pictured in the post above has the six notches and three groove milled around the outside. To let the air move from side to side as the rubber belows compress/expand while steering.