Power Steering Rack

[Contender]

Anyone try the Cusco Power Brace Power Steering Rack reinforcement. Looks better then the PERRIN Steering Rack Lockdown at least the Cusco looks to actually mount to something other than just cover the bushings.

Thoughts???

[Ohio Enthusiast]

I think it's the other way around - the Perrin lockdown locks the rack's mounting bolt to the steering rack itself, in the same way that solid aluminum bushing would do (or even better, with the set screws taking any last bit of play). It eliminates movement between the steering rack and its mounting bolt. Since the mounting bolt is bolted tight to the chassis, this all means that the steering rack won't move at all.

The Cusco brace looks like it doesn't do anything. Even if the brace holds the rack mounting bolt tightly, you still have the rubber bushings allowing movement of the rack on the bolts. A proper brace would need to be mounted solidly to the steering rack body and to the chassis. The Cusco brace doesn't seem to do that (but I may be wrong).

I'm planning on the Perrin lockout, mainly for easier installation vs. solid bushings as well as the theory (my own) that solid bushings will still have a little bit of slop, and the set screws on the Perrin lockout won't.

[Joveen]

Originally Posted by Ohio Enthusiast

I think it's the other way around - the Perrin lockdown locks the rack's mounting bolt to the steering rack itself, in the same way that solid aluminum bushing would do (or even better, with the set screws taking any last bit of play). It eliminates movement between the steering rack and its mounting bolt. Since the mounting bolt is bolted tight to the chassis, this all means that the steering rack won't move at all.

The Cusco brace looks like it doesn't do anything. Even if the brace holds the rack mounting bolt tightly, you still have the rubber bushings allowing movement of the rack on the bolts. A proper brace would need to be mounted solidly to the steering rack body and to the chassis. The Cusco brace doesn't seem to do that (but I may be wrong).

I'm planning on the Perrin lockout, mainly for easier installation vs. solid bushings as well as the theory (my own) that solid bushings will still have a little bit of slop, and the set screws on the Perrin lockout won't.

I install the Perrin lockdown. Right now dealing with a ticking or squeal sound I move the steering wheel. I hope this lockdown has nothing to do with it.

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[Ernest72]

No issues with my Perrin, been on the car 2-3 years.

[Contender]

Well, hmmm guess I will try the Cusco Power Brace and let you all know how they work...😆

[Contender]

Well, hmmm guess I will try the Cusco Power Brace and let you all know how they work...😆

[Pschultz91]

I just replaced my bushings with solid bushings! Havent really gotten to drive the car much since all the tracks are closed.

[Contender]

Ok, been driving with the Cusco Power Brace for a while...
Here are my impressions.
1.) Front feels more solid can feel slightly some road vibrations in the steering wheel that wasn't there before hard to explain but you can feel the road more.

2.) In tight S curves car seems to transfer better to me.

3.) I just put in some Battle Version solid steering rack bushings along with the brace wanted to feel the difference first with only the Cusco and with both in place it is more than above stated. Vibrations not so much about the same but, the handling is awesome. Going over uneven road suffice feels 10 times better to me no more upset front feeling.

[Ohio Enthusiast]

Originally Posted by Contender

Ok, been driving with the Cusco Power Brace for a while...
Here are my impressions.
1.) Front feels more solid can feel slightly some road vibrations in the steering wheel that wasn't there before hard to explain but you can feel the road more.

2.) In tight S curves car seems to transfer better to me.

3.) I just put in some Battle Version solid steering rack bushings along with the brace wanted to feel the difference first with only the Cusco and with both in place it is more than above stated. Vibrations not so much about the same but, the handling is awesome. Going over uneven road suffice feels 10 times better to me no more upset front feeling.

This is awesome! Thanks so much for sharing!
There's a a post here from a Perrin rep that said that their rack lockdown are more or less equivalent with solid rack bushings. The fact that you felt an additional difference with a solid bushing might mean that the Cusco brace does a different role in improving the steering feel than the Perrin lockdowns and the solid bushings.

BTW, where did you get the Battle Version bushings? I can barely find any solid bushings still being sold (just one eBay listing for the Battle Version ones, and only discontinued listings for the Turn in Concept ones).

Edit: I also remember seeing another rack brace, one that had more points of attachment, but I can't find it anymore. Anyone remember something like that?

[Contender]

I got the Battle Version bushings from ebay like a month ago. Yeah, it was cool to feel the difference each made. Both together just make everything tie in very well.