Energy Suspension Steering Rack Bushing Failure

[theesotericone]

As some of you know a few weeks ago my ES steering rack bushing split open like a melon when I was wheeling. I just now got around to replacing it with an AC Delco. I didn't really realize how bad it was until I took it out. Who else has had these fail like this?

 

[kolelt]

I had mine on my old steering rack for couple + years. And it held up perfectly fine. Maybe you had a really really bad worn steering rack ? Or maybe you over tightened the bolts ?

 

[theesotericone]

I had mine on my old steering rack for couple + years. And it held up perfectly fine. Maybe you had a really really bad worn steering rack ? Or maybe you over tightened the bolts ?

Bolts where all torqued to spec(123 ft/lbs). My steering rack if fine with no play and no leaks. They've been on the truck for less then a year and roughly 9000 miles. I'm just curious how many other guys that actually wheel hard have broken them.

 

[JZiggy]

Did the bushing have PS fluid (ATF) on it constantly? Though the material is resistant to oil it might still have made it brittle, plus the heavy loading from offroad use.

 

[theesotericone]

Did the bushing have PS fluid (ATF) on it constantly? Though the material is resistant to oil it might still have made it brittle, plus the heavy loading from offroad use.

I have never needed to put PS fluid in my rig. There are no leaks at all in the PS system. I do have a small rear main leak but not much gets to the bushing. It's no big deal to replace it but the amount of tearing down the center was pretty impressive.

 

[kolelt]

Can say I heard anyone have this issue

 

[huvgti]

Poly is a crap material for bushings. There's no deflection so it just wears and breaks down. Most poly bushings and/or mounts need to be replaced more frequently than rubber, just the way it is.

 

[96RedRunner]

With my 96 over the last 8-9 yrs, 100k miles wheeling n DD my ES bushings would last 15k miles at best then melon split. That bushing seems to take the brunt of deflection forces where it is the thinest.