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Steering rack bushings??

Discussion in '1st Gen Tundras (2000-2006)' started by AWilliams, May 11, 2021.

  1. May 11, 2021 at 7:55 PM
    #1
    AWilliams

    AWilliams [OP] New Member

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    Should there be any gaps in the steering rack bushings when turned the wheel is turned lock to lock? Mine don't seen "too" bad but when my wife is cranking the steering wheel going from lock to the other way there is a gap in the U bushing and the long horizontal cylinder type bushing is jumping around a bit in the rack. I'm getting the front end floaty steering feeling at highway speeds as well.

    What kit is the good one to get?
     
  2. May 11, 2021 at 8:07 PM
    #2
    KarmaKannon

    KarmaKannon Master of None

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    terrward, Sunnier and bmf4069 like this.
  3. May 11, 2021 at 8:13 PM
    #3
    SouthWestGA

    SouthWestGA New Member

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  4. May 12, 2021 at 4:03 AM
    #4
    Professional Hand Model

    Professional Hand Model A.K.A ‘Golden Hands’

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    Avoid these bushings in the link above. They are Squishy. They are too soft for daily driving.

    Get some Dorman or Autozoned Regular Hard Rubber ones for about $15-20 last I checked. Worst thing I did was install Squish ES Bushings. I removed the two brand new (of the 3) easy ones to get to a week after installing them. They are tricky to install and remove. Went back with the saved old ones still in good shape which are regular aftermarket cheapies. Hard Rubber not Squish!
     
    Kings likes this.
  5. May 12, 2021 at 4:24 AM
    #5
    bmf4069

    bmf4069 Yup, that's car parts in a dishwasher

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    That's kinda weird. I'm wondering if you didn't get a bad batch. Poly is harder than rubber and should eliminate the slop. Only things harder than poly is delrin and you don't see that much any more.
     
    Darkness and FirstGenVol like this.
  6. May 12, 2021 at 4:32 AM
    #6
    Professional Hand Model

    Professional Hand Model A.K.A ‘Golden Hands’

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    All I know is these things were jiggly and soft. The old ones I had (unsure of brand installed by others) were a hard rubber or maybe Poly. Night and day. :annoyed:
     
  7. May 12, 2021 at 4:34 AM
    #7
    Professional Hand Model

    Professional Hand Model A.K.A ‘Golden Hands’

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    Iirc @SouthWestGA had the same experience on his 1st Gen.
     
  8. May 12, 2021 at 5:10 AM
    #8
    AWilliams

    AWilliams [OP] New Member

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    ugh...seriously? The Energy aren't the way to go? So much confusion anymore. I noticed some part numbers have an R, or G or no letter too...
     
    Last edited: May 12, 2021
  9. May 12, 2021 at 6:04 AM
    #9
    des2mtn

    des2mtn Third Member

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  10. May 12, 2021 at 6:12 AM
    #10
    terrward

    terrward New Member

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    I have the energy suspension bushing kit and the steering feel is much better than my old worn out factory bushings. No squishy feeling at all.

    I purchased mine from Amazon and I got the black kit
     
    KarmaKannon likes this.
  11. May 12, 2021 at 6:27 AM
    #11
    KarmaKannon

    KarmaKannon Master of None

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  12. May 12, 2021 at 6:32 AM
    #12
    FirstGenVol

    FirstGenVol Brake Czar

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    Same here. Poly bushings were a great upgrade for my truck.
     
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  13. May 12, 2021 at 6:41 AM
    #13
    AWilliams

    AWilliams [OP] New Member

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    Thanks for the replies guys any idea why the black kit ....one of them has no letter designation and one has a g? I understand what the r means for red.
     
  14. May 12, 2021 at 7:18 AM
    #14
    Mustanley

    Mustanley Two time totaler

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    I believe the g designation indicates the bushings are graphite impregnated and don't require any lubrication.
     
    Sunnier likes this.
  15. May 12, 2021 at 7:40 AM
    #15
    AWilliams

    AWilliams [OP] New Member

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    Maybe that's the issue and difference that Hand Model is describing. The regular greaseable are harder, the graphite impregnated are softer? I'll probably just go with the Total Chaos set up.
     
  16. May 12, 2021 at 7:49 AM
    #16
    Professional Hand Model

    Professional Hand Model A.K.A ‘Golden Hands’

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    Anything is better than OEM worn 20 year old bushings.
     
    KarmaKannon likes this.
  17. May 12, 2021 at 8:06 AM
    #17
    SouthWestGA

    SouthWestGA New Member

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    Yes i bought the red ones and the steering was better but still spongy feeling mm

    back to black was another improvement
     
  18. May 12, 2021 at 10:07 AM
    #18
    Darkness

    Darkness Allergic to white

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    It's really dark
    Total Chaos bushings here, probably 11 years old and still good.
     
    des2mtn likes this.
  19. May 12, 2021 at 5:26 PM
    #19
    KarmaKannon

    KarmaKannon Master of None

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    I'd be surprised if poly bushings wear out in that application unless they get really hot or are exposed to the sun a lot. I mean maybe after 20 years or so, but I'd expect them to outlast rubber.
     
    Darkness[QUOTED] likes this.
  20. May 12, 2021 at 5:37 PM
    #20
    wv00097

    wv00097 New Member

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    Maybe this is the right thread to ask... would worn out bushings cause a groaning when turning left/right? Just started hearing it recently, and haven't had the time to get someone to steer while I listen underneath the truck and try to pinpoint it. Sounds like its coming from the steering column, audible in the cab. I've greased all ball joints and zerks, flushed power steering system as well. Just trying to get some ideas before diving into it in the next month.

    I've got the energy bushings on standby. But I've been waiting for the rack to go first... I've got the bds kit and the crossmember blocks the rack bolts unfortunately. So its more labor than it should be.
     
  21. May 12, 2021 at 6:36 PM
    #21
    nickrick78

    nickrick78 New Member

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    To check your rack bushings, crawl under with the truck in park, and look at the rack while someone wiggles the steering wheel back and forth slightly. The tie rods and boots should move, if the whole rack moves replace the bushings.
     
    wv00097[QUOTED] likes this.
  22. May 12, 2021 at 7:21 PM
    #22
    wv00097

    wv00097 New Member

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    I know the rack moves slightly. And the tires have a little wiggle when up on jack stands (bearings are good). I know they could use replacement. I'm just wondering if they can also cause that groaning noise I'm hearing, if anyone else has heard it and were able to confirm its the bushings. Otherwise I'm going to be on an expensive witch hunt soon...
     
  23. May 12, 2021 at 7:36 PM
    #23
    terrward

    terrward New Member

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    Have you checked your lower ball joints? Groaning/creaking is also a symptom of them going bad
     
    wv00097 likes this.
  24. May 12, 2021 at 7:43 PM
    #24
    MrDirtjumper

    MrDirtjumper Ol’ dickhead

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    Just like the overwhelming majority in here, I have the ES bushings and will vouch for them. They made my truck feel like new again.
     
  25. May 12, 2021 at 7:52 PM
    #25
    Lil Steve

    Lil Steve Living the dream

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    Check the u-joints in the steering shaft. Spray some lube at them to see if the noise lessens/goes away.
     
    wv00097[QUOTED] likes this.
  26. May 12, 2021 at 8:53 PM
    #26
    AWilliams

    AWilliams [OP] New Member

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    Bought the Total Chaos....the 11 years and going strong sold me. Thanks
     
    Darkness likes this.
  27. May 13, 2021 at 3:55 AM
    #27
    wv00097

    wv00097 New Member

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    They aren't seeping, and no visable issues that I can see. But this was also on my list to check. Unfortunately the 2nd gen LBJ are a PITA to remove, and many just replace the entire arm. Hopefully a shop can press them out for me.
     
  28. May 13, 2021 at 3:56 AM
    #28
    wv00097

    wv00097 New Member

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    Will do, thanks!
     
  29. Jul 6, 2021 at 10:50 PM
    #29
    jerryallday

    jerryallday New Member

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    Just ordered the ES bushings, was trying to buy the total chaos bushing but can’t seem to find the add to cart button on the website.

    Not sure if you have to call to order
     
  30. Jul 7, 2021 at 4:36 PM
    #30
    des2mtn

    des2mtn Third Member

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    I got mine through SoCal Supertrucks (didn't get a sticker though, I want a big boy truck!). Never seen an option to order stuff on TC's stuff on their site, just the MSRP. They have a dealer list on their site https://chaosfab.com/media/dealers/

    I'm not sure how much Total Chaos deals business-to-consumer, but their website is a more of a sales guide than anything - and a good one at that.
     

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