Staring at my new OEM Steering and a box of energy bushings. Worth swapping?

[Lindenwood]

After a ridiculous rack leak last week, I have a new OEM rack on the garage floor waiting to swap. However, I also bought the Energy poly bushing set for it, mainly for the passenger side u-mount.

Is it worth it swapping the other poly bushings into the new rack? FWIW I don't have a press, so I'll probably have to use some rigged-up method of bushing removal, and I don't know if new bushings will be more difficult to remove than older ones.

(Yes I have searched quite a bit, but nobody has posted about poly bushings vs new OEM; rather, they simply use poly to replace worn OEM because OEMs are more expensive and harder to install).

Thanks!

 

[sleepydad]

After a ridiculous rack leak last week, I have a new OEM rack on the garage floor waiting to swap. However, I also bought the Energy poly bushing set for it, mainly for the passenger side u-mount.

Is it worth it swapping the other poly bushings into the new rack? FWIW I don't have a press, so I'll probably have to use some rigged-up method of bushing removal, and I don't know if new bushings will be more difficult to remove than older ones.

(Yes I have searched quite a bit, but nobody has posted about poly bushings vs new OEM; rather, they simply use poly to replace worn OEM because OEMs are more expensive and harder to install).

Thanks!

I put energy poly bush into my rack.

my OEM ones were shot, removal was easy but I have never removed new OEM ones, would be guessing it would be more difficult because they are new.

the only difference I have noticed is the energy suspension ones have a much tighter feeling, I would just run the brand new OEM bushing. IMO not worth the trouble to swap in the poly bushings.

I guess it just depends on how important your steering feels when driving.

OEM a little mushy but 100% fine
Energy tighter for that race car feeling

maybe flip a coin and pick a winner?

 

[Lindenwood]

My original bushings were OEM, but were still solid and felt fine, But, like you have mentioned, every comparison I have seen has been between crusted-out OEM bushings and new poly bushings. I havent found anyone who has replaced completely-functional OEM bushings with poly bushings and then reported any difference.

Though, thinking about it, I will probably leave the OEM bushings to help absorb the shock from bumps.

Thanks!

 

[mtbtim]

I wouldn't bother replacing the bushings since your rack is brand new. Just keep the poly bushings for later on down the road or hook up one of your 3rd Gen buddies with them.

In case you haven't seen the video [MENTION=102606]infamousRNR[/MENTION] and I made for the job you're about to do, here it is. Good luck with the swap.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/wZoRP5ogrK0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[phattyduck]

I put in a new OEM rack recently and re-used the poly bushings I was running on my old rack for 10-20k miles before that.

They are very easy to swap out with a mini sledge and socket... no need for a press or anything.

-Charlie

 

[Lindenwood]

I ended up chickening out and having a shop do it. I knew it had a good amount of rust, which really compounds the level of difficulty. Already, they called and told me that the nut on one of the hard lines was rusted to the line, which meant removing it would twist and ruin it. So, that was another $350 for them to get the part and install it, though it probably saved me a few days of cursing under the truck.

That said, I am sticking with all the stock bushings, and will probably just return the poly kit.

 

[LittleCaesar]

Rust in Florida? Must be saltwater.

 

[Lindenwood]

Hah, if only! It's from Ohio. So far we have added $530 to the bill to replace rusted parts that simply couldn't be removed, like the rag joint which was just discovered. I'd have probably set the truck on fire by now if it was me doing the work, heh.

#$1500SteeringRack!

 

[ChildrenOfBodom]

Poly bushings are better than new rubber bushings..


Question to me is, would you rather do the work now or later when it's in the truck?

 

[mtbtim]

Poly bushings are better than new rubber bushings..


Question to me is, would you rather do the work now or later when it's in the truck?

I have poly bushings on both my rigs but this is because both of my rigs are around 20 years old. I think new rubber OEM bushings are going to do the OP just fine for a very long time, maybe longer than he's going to keep the rig.

 

[TheDurk]

I have poly bushings on both my rigs but this is because both of my rigs are around 20 years old. I think new rubber OEM bushings are going to do the OP just fine for a very long time, maybe longer than he's going to keep the rig.

In my case, the originals were good for 15 years until I had a noticeable vibration. Given that they may have been compromised before that, I'd say ten years is still a conservative life span estimate.

 

[Wikano]

Good call. I had poly bushing on my old rack and ended up replacing the entire rack a few years later. OEM rubber was definitely a better driving experience. I think the technical term someone used was that the poly bushing don't have enough deflection and cause under steering.