DIY: Turn In Concepts Solid Aluminum Steering Rack Bushing Install (and review)

[OrbitalEllipses]

Bugeye wagon, what what!

Guess I'm mostly sold on these. Thanks for the review.

Now all I need to get are motor mounts...not solid though.

[CSG Mike]

Ok, slightly failed at my install attempt last night; my fault for not having the right tools.

Means I'll be doing it on the ground tomorrow at the track...

[BoxeRZ]

I completely agree with your statement about this car needing more crispness in the steering. It seems like it should react just a little quicker, hopefully with this mod it will. Still building confidence to take on these types of projects, great DIY's like this make it all the more easier. Thank you for taking the time to write this!

[zohare]

Sold. I'll be jumping on the GB. What about these in combo w the psrs bits?

[EvoXDD]

Originally Posted by zohare

Sold. I'll be jumping on the GB. What about these in combo w the psrs bits?

i have PSRS (offset) which adds .5" of caster that are solid and HEAVY metal. heavy for what they are not like OMG i am not adding that weight to my car lol

just like the OP said, even though i am talking about PSRS, they made a VERY nice improvement on turn in and there was no NVH! it seems like all the companies are warning on their parts about NVH, guess they think a lot of us want the ride to stay exactly as it was from the factory. but i have done the PSRS and i have a few other bracing and suspension parts including a drop on an H&R super sports and my brz feels exactly like stock until i get into and start weavin and bobbin

[zohare]

Originally Posted by EvoXDD

i have PSRS (offset) which adds .5" of caster that are solid and HEAVY metal. heavy for what they are not like OMG i am not adding that weight to my car lol

just like the OP said, even though i am talking about PSRS, they made a VERY nice improvement on turn in and there was no NVH! it seems like all the companies are warning on their parts about NVH, guess they think a lot of us want the ride to stay exactly as it was from the factory. but i have done the PSRS and i have a few other bracing and suspension parts including a drop on an H&R super sports and my brz feels exactly like stock until i get into and start weavin and bobbin

Thanks for the info. Definitely two things I want to do to the car. Sorry for a bit of OT there just wondering- if you could get both maybe sell them as a package? OP THANK YOU. DIYs are pretty much how I get anything done... I know I'm not the only one.

[was385]

Originally Posted by Turn in Concepts

A couple of things to note - with a smaller puller you should not need to disconnect the steering linkage.

Should you need to it is imperative that you mark the splines.

Additionally, you must be very careful to keep from spinning the rack or the steering column while disconnected. If by some chance you do, and then line up the marks you can be off a turn or two on the steering. This will flip out the steering angle sensor and cause a TC module problem because the clockspring and steering angle sensor will be all confused.

The reset is you have to figure out which way you're off a turn on the steering, disconnect the linkage, center the wheel and tires, and then reconnect. Really not that bad if it happens, but still something to be aware of.

So with a puller, the only thing needed is to remove the old bushings and put these in? Excuse my lack of knowledge on this sort of stuff.

[cobrabyte]

Originally Posted by was385

So with a puller, the only thing needed is to remove the old bushings and put these in? Excuse my lack of knowledge on this sort of stuff.

Puller, grease, ratchet+sockets and a torque wrench will get 'er done.

Thanks again for the DIY -- got mine installed in an hour.

[OrbitalEllipses]

Finally got around to doing this. 2 jaw gear puller, 1 quarter per bushing (spread out the force, my puller's threaded rod OD was just a tad larger than the ID of the bushing sleeve and I didn't like that), and some time later I'm done. Pretty easy install as far as bushings go. My steering wheel is a bit off center, but I'm planning on an alignment in the next two weeks anyhow.

Install: 2/5 hardness, lower being easier.

Review: ?/5 goodness, higher being gooderer. I'll get back to you after some miles.

[RazBRZ]

Is there anyway to self fix the alignment? I'm installing the STX legal ones in the next couple of days

[OrbitalEllipses]

Originally Posted by RazBRZ

Is there anyway to self fix the alignment? I'm installing the STX legal ones in the next couple of days

I would assume you center the steering wheel in cabin (perhaps a friend could help), then adjust the tie rods. DIY driveway/garage alignment style.

[RazBRZ]

I wonder if locking the steering wheel with the key out would help it from getting out of alignment?

[Trettiosjuan]

Did it yesterday:

Originally Posted by Sithspawn

Step 3: Remove the aluminum under cover.

Here I missed one had to release the six black clips at the sides (edit: seven, one on top too) so when I was in the burrowed shop without tools, I had a bit of swearing, but eventually I managed :p

I made my own press tooling, 1,5" OD pipe 2" long, and a M8 5" threaded stub (mine was too long). Also on the left end, I should have used two nuts at the end tightened to each other so that it doesn't turn in the socket.

Originally Posted by RazBRZ

I wonder if locking the steering wheel with the key out would help it from getting out of alignment?

Did this, didn't need a realignment.

Change in steering feel is pretty subtle, at least now you feel *something* from the actual road roughness other than dead steering weight, not at all NVH to me and my car is stock otherwise so I appreciate daily usability too. Pushing it, I can judge the front end a bit better too. As feel is a very valuable asset, I would do it again despite the rather subtle difference (an non-enthusiast wouldn't notice the difference).

[RazBRZ]

It's been a while. I installed and then got an alignment. Anyone else notice a ping noise or binding and release somwhere in the steering rack after having these on? (during stopped or heavy load steering) I cannot for the life of me find it. I can only guess maybe the bolts are loosening up or the threads got stretched.