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LH-LX-UC Steering Rack BUSH Collapse

Started by _gam_ , Apr 24 2012 12:18 PM

Steering Rack Bush Fragmented

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29 replies to this topic

#1 _gam_

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Posted 24 April 2012 - 12:18 PM

Hello. I have recently posted a Topic under STEERING & SUSPENSION ..LH-LX-UC .. regarding the proposed reco of the steering rack in my vehicle.
The details are as brief, but precise as I can explain, BUT, one point that has been rolloing around in my head is this ...
SEE THE ATTACHED PIC ...
that perhaps the biggest problem I had was to procure another LEFT HAND end rack shaft Bush.
RedRanger Products politely supplied, though they produce a Whiteline, and a Nolathane item, they are both exactly the same. SuperPro and others perhaps manufacture these too, but the listing is for COMMODORE, not Torana.

Now, my concern is this.
My car has been sitting idle for 27 years. The rack had a clunk in it, and I noticed quite readily that the left hand tie rod had quite a `jump' in it when I wobbled the left wheel. The obvious thought here is that I removed the rack assembly, and disassembled it for a total reco.

The contents of the rack are what you see here in the photo (God I hope it appears, otherwise this is a waste of space !!) with the shattered original standard bush in a mass of `gravel' like fragments, spread from one end of the assembly to the other, mixed with the 140 grade oil.

Notice the larger chunks ... these are rock hard .. and I imagine that when GMH originally ordered these bushes, that the NYLON was reasonably pliable. It had to be to be installed, as they simply `clip' into place.

The whole point of my addressing this issue .. and I have never heard of anyone focusing directly to this problem ... is a word of DIRE WARNING.
If ANY of these fragments were to build up, or a large piece were to wedge someplace, I horror to think of the immediate consequences !! GMH were well intentioned with this bush made of Nylon, but that was 35 YEARS AGO !!
The original bush is NOW an accident waiting to happen. Keep in mind, my car has been OFF THE ROAD .. never even moved a wheel, for 27 years. So how are the bushes in other Toranas, IF the rack is original and NOT reconditioned ??
The problem is very noticeable, by an obvious clunk or loud rattle in the steering, and should NOT be left unattended.

This is not scare mongering .. not in the least. I am simply concerned for the safety and well being of other enthusiasts who may have overlooked this area of age and parts failure.

My thanks go to `OrangeLJ' for his encouragement to continue with reading this forum.
I hope I have been of some assistance to others.

Cheers

Attached Files

Rack Bush Fragments 1.JPG 875.63K 15 downloads

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#2 76lxhatch

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Posted 24 April 2012 - 01:29 PM

They can get a little on the brittle side but have never seen anything like that. Perhaps someone put something dodgy in the rack rather than suitable oil or grease?

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#3 a9x868

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Posted 24 April 2012 - 06:31 PM

Hello. I have recently posted a Topic under STEERING & SUSPENSION ..LH-LX-UC .. regarding the proposed reco of the steering rack in my vehicle.
The details are as brief, but precise as I can explain, BUT, one point that has been rolloing around in my head is this ...
SEE THE ATTACHED PIC ...
that perhaps the biggest problem I had was to procure another LEFT HAND end rack shaft Bush.
RedRanger Products politely supplied, though they produce a Whiteline, and a Nolathane item, they are both exactly the same. SuperPro and others perhaps manufacture these too, but the listing is for COMMODORE, not Torana.

Now, my concern is this.
My car has been sitting idle for 27 years. The rack had a clunk in it, and I noticed quite readily that the left hand tie rod had quite a `jump' in it when I wobbled the left wheel. The obvious thought here is that I removed the rack assembly, and disassembled it for a total reco.

The contents of the rack are what you see here in the photo (God I hope it appears, otherwise this is a waste of space !!) with the shattered original standard bush in a mass of `gravel' like fragments, spread from one end of the assembly to the other, mixed with the 140 grade oil.

Notice the larger chunks ... these are rock hard .. and I imagine that when GMH originally ordered these bushes, that the NYLON was reasonably pliable. It had to be to be installed, as they simply `clip' into place.

The whole point of my addressing this issue .. and I have never heard of anyone focusing directly to this problem ... is a word of DIRE WARNING.
If ANY of these fragments were to build up, or a large piece were to wedge someplace, I horror to think of the immediate consequences !! GMH were well intentioned with this bush made of Nylon, but that was 35 YEARS AGO !!
The original bush is NOW an accident waiting to happen. Keep in mind, my car has been OFF THE ROAD .. never even moved a wheel, for 27 years. So how are the bushes in other Toranas, IF the rack is original and NOT reconditioned ??
The problem is very noticeable, by an obvious clunk or loud rattle in the steering, and should NOT be left unattended.

This is not scare mongering .. not in the least. I am simply concerned for the safety and well being of other enthusiasts who may have overlooked this area of age and parts failure.

My thanks go to `OrangeLJ' for his encouragement to continue with reading this forum.
I hope I have been of some assistance to others.

Cheers

much appreciated i shall be checking mine
cheers
davemc

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#4 _gam_

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Posted 24 April 2012 - 08:05 PM

G`day `76lxhatch' .. I do agree that there is a possibility of `something dodgy'. POSSIBILITY only.

I bought the car in Newcastle in `79, as a Mandarin Red SL 253, M20, 4 door. Ex and 1st owner was a RAAF serviceman. It had 32.000 k on it, and was immaculate, right down to the original tyres. I am the second owner. The rack has never seen deep water, and the dust boots WERE still in sealed, resonable condition, and the oil VERY clean, but LUMPY !!

I drove it, loved it, and tended to it's every desire `til `85. I would suggest that in the owner ship of the first carer, that there would be NO plausible reason to reoil the rack, and there was never an issue with any lubricant leaking from boots, or the seal. When I pulled the rack out of the car just now, the original 140 oil was only polluted by this shattered bush.

The original kilometres on the car are 78,000 since `76. I have a theory that age alone has hardened the Nylon, and as I have had it jacked up to restore it, I have moved the rack from lock to lock. This particular bush, in its original pattern, had only 3 small locating tabs to establish itself in the locking groove. All it has taken is to drag the rack shaft to the right, and the rack shaft has pulled the old bush with it, or fragmented purely from age, and the pieces have gone through the pinion, hence the crushed appearance.

However, my fear is that in ANY car, at ANY time, with the original and old bush in place, is that if it were to break up while under load of .. eg. cornering stress, that if a LARGE chunk were to catch on the rack teeth and any inner shoulder, the rack will indeed jam.
The consequences of that scenario are to me, devastating.

I am emphasising that this bush is in some cases nearly 40 years old (LH). That's FORTY damn years for a piece of Nylon that absorbs EVERY hit and shudder from potholes, driveways, rough roads .. AND the enormous extra load from wide wheels, and attempting to emulate Mr Brock over Skyline in `79 !!!

How anyone interprets my findings is purely up to the individual. I am a simple man, of simple means. A cancer surviving 61 year old, who in turn wants to assist others to appreciate the joy, and awareness that every day brings. I care, simple.

I would be doing myself, and the community a huge dis-service if I didn't introduce this problem for open discussion. I'd hate to have my Grand kids and family in the car when the steering locks, albeit momenarily. The ramifications are mind boggling.

Simple

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#5 AbsynthHatch

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Posted 24 April 2012 - 08:24 PM

I say thankyou for your concern to the Torana community

What you have pointed out and shown us from your experience is greatly appreciated

Thankyou again :clap:

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#6 76lxhatch

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Posted 24 April 2012 - 08:59 PM

Well not many guys on here could say they've owned their Torana that long so I guess you know the history pretty well! I guess the only saving grace is that if it disintegrated like that there isn't much chance it would have jammed the rack...

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#7 _gam_

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Posted 24 April 2012 - 09:05 PM

IT"S THE B I G CHUNKS I'M CONCERNED ABOUT !! The little bits will just float around.

G`day `Abysinth' too. Take care mate. Cheers

Another ANZAC Day .. MMm, Lest We Forget.

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#8 FastEHHolden

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Posted 25 April 2012 - 01:16 AM

I was recently pointing this out to some guys that dropped to buy a rack...i showed them the bush....the one i have just fell to bits in my hands

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#9 _threeblindmice_

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Posted 18 November 2014 - 07:32 PM

This came out of Christine's UC rack today, 17K KM's and it has done no hard work .

013.JPG 78.21K 5 downloads

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#10 Shiney005

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Posted 19 November 2014 - 12:33 AM

So this bush is in all LH to UC Toranas?

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#11 UCSLE

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Posted 19 November 2014 - 06:14 AM

some LHs had a steel bush

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#12 _threeblindmice_

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Posted 19 November 2014 - 10:27 AM

I just got quoted $400 to fix the rack is that a little excessive , that is when I remove , and take it to them .

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#13 S pack

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Posted 19 November 2014 - 10:43 AM

I just got quoted $400 to fix the rack is that a little excessive , that is when I remove , and take it to them .

I would have thought around $250 - $300 would be enough. :dontknow:

Are they installing a gold plated bush? If not I'd demand a gold plated one at that price lol.

Edited by S pack, 19 November 2014 - 10:46 AM.

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#14 _threeblindmice_

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Posted 19 November 2014 - 02:00 PM

Thanks Dave , nothing less than gold for the UC , but unfortunately it's not even gold plated , The quote was from Jim Hunter at Blacktown I have used him before , but at $400 I started to ring around , I am now going to Steering Solutions Sydney west , $260 .

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#15 Potta

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Posted 19 November 2014 - 02:29 PM

I got quoted $350 for an LC one about 10 years or so ago but that was remove and install also as far as I'm aware.

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#16 TerrA LX

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Posted 19 November 2014 - 02:33 PM

I just got quoted $400 to fix the rack is that a little excessive , that is when I remove , and take it to them .

FMD, there's not a lot of work in them.
ol mate used to reco racks out of his garage, used to supply the greater liverpool area.

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#17 EunUCh

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Posted 19 November 2014 - 05:16 PM

UC and LH/X have different shaft and housing size,not by much,found out when whatever bush they had in the UC just dissolved..not a trace of it left...scary shit..Thought the spare LH one would fit but no joy.

The "steel" ones were not just "steel" , they were a special metal that was soft and absorbent,same as the preload cap on pinion end.
Don't use brass or steel or to replace the rack end bush.
The ones you buy these days...don't even fit them..they are supposed to be a full circle with oil channels/breathers for oil/air to travel back and forth during steering with just a tad of drag on shaft if they are good.They don't just clip in,they are are neat press or bump

fit with a drift and there is also a groove for an internal clip,although have never seen a clip in the groove.

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#18 LXM21

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Posted 19 November 2014 - 07:14 PM

Thanks Dave , nothing less than gold for the UC , but unfortunately it's not even gold plated , The quote was from Jim Hunter at Blacktown I have used him before , but at $400 I started to ring around , I am now going to Steering Solutions Sydney west , $260 .

Steering solutions ? , has anyone recommended them ?

Lets know how you go, as I need one repaired. Just want to be very careful as to who I take it to.

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#19 _threeblindmice_

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Posted 19 November 2014 - 07:29 PM

He sounded alright on the phone , did his trade working on Toranas ,and does the older racks himself . I am hoping to get it down to him early next week for the next day pick up . the only problem I have is getting the wire for the boots , as he will have a plastic clip on them .

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#20 LXM21

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Posted 19 November 2014 - 07:36 PM

Yeh mines got the original tie wire on it, I will carefully take it off before I take the rack in, then refit on return.

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#21 Swarbs

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Posted 19 November 2014 - 08:47 PM

I just got quoted $400 to fix the rack is that a little excessive , that is when I remove , and take it to them .

I would have thought around $250 - $300 would be enough.

Are they installing a gold plated bush? If not I'd demand a gold plated one at that price lol.

For the WA boys -- WA suspensions did mine a while ago for $176

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#22 TerrA LX

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Posted 20 November 2014 - 07:06 AM

He sounded alright on the phone , did his trade working on Toranas ,and does the older racks himself . I am hoping to get it down to him early next week for the next day pick up . the only problem I have is getting the wire for the boots , as he will have a plastic clip on them .

Can't you make your own out of tie wire?

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#23 _threeblindmice_

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Posted 20 November 2014 - 08:05 AM

Yeh Terry that was the plan , we will see what happens , as it doesn't go to car shows anymore .

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#24 LXM21

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Posted 28 November 2014 - 08:40 PM

He sounded alright on the phone , did his trade working on Toranas ,and does the older racks himself . I am hoping to get it down to him early next week for the next day pick up . the only problem I have is getting the wire for the boots , as he will have a plastic clip on them .

Any news on what sort of job was done ?