1850hl steering rack bushes

[tractor boy]

Hi its tractor boy again. For some time i have noticed that the steering colum on my 77 dolly seems to vibrate/rattle when on rough roads or going over rumble strips on the road. There is no play in the column itself but i do know that the previous owner polybushed all of the steering and suspension joints front and rear including the rack mountings these look to be pale yellow[superflex?]. I recall reading that polybushing the rack causes this problem would i therefore get any improvement if i used conventional bushes.Thanks for your advice tractor boy

[Toledo Man]

Super Flex bushes are purple so whatever you have are something different. It might be worth fitting Super Flex bushes because they're softer than other poly bushes.

[Jon Tilson]

I've also used the bluey coloured ones and had no issues.
Some people even use the solid ones.

Do you have any play in the intermediate shaft coupling or universal joint and check the lower column mounting bush too. These often wear.

Jonners

[gmsclassics]

Interesting, I've got yellow in the race car and red in both road cars. Goodness knows what the difference is. Both are fine. I did have some experience with a blue product (on the front drag struts) and they were too soft.

I've had the problem you describe a couple of time and each was down to play in the rack tube bush (128002) on the left side. If you jack the front up and try moving the track rod back and forward close to the rack. Play will only be small but any needs to be fixed. Also if you take the rack out to change the rack bushes be sure to put back / replace the plug (145018).

Geoff

[Carledo]

I've got solid alloy rack mounts on the Carledo and some of the roughest local roads in the country. The rattling column I experienced disappeared completely when I put a new superflex bush in the lower column mount and has not reappeared in more than 3 years of hard road and track use.

Steve

[Toledo Man]

I forgot about the bulkhead bush. Super Flex is the one to get.

[tractor boy]

Thanks for your replies, the fault lies in the steering column bushes>Superflex here we come!! Thanks for your help tractor b

[Edin Dundee]

Thanks for your replies, the fault lies in the steering column bushes>Superflex here we come!! Thanks for your help tractor b

If you're a club member, order them through the club - much cheapness.

[tractor boy]

Thanks Bill I will do that. Tractor Boy