Steering rack bushings??

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?

 

I'd say get the urethane bushing kit. It really tightened up my steering. I didn't even know it was loose or if I had other issues like too little caster. Everything was new on the suspension so it was either caster or the rack bushings. It was the rack bushings.

https://www.amazon.com/Energy-Suspension-810104G-Steering-Tundra/dp/B003CSR7QM/

 

@Professional Hand Model

 

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!

 

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.

 

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.

 

Iirc @SouthWestGA had the same experience on his 1st Gen.

 

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...

 

I have the Total Chaos poly steering rack bushings, it's been a bit but I wouldn't call them squishy per se. They felt like an upgrade over the OEM.

https://www.chaosfab.com/accessories/2000-2006-Tundra-Urethane-Rack-Bushings-97701

 

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

 

I had the same experience as @terrward with my energy bushings from Amazon. They didn't seem squishy at all and really tightened up my steering. This is the link from my order in 2019 https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B003CSR7QM/

 

Same here. Poly bushings were a great upgrade for my truck.

 

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.

 

I believe the g designation indicates the bushings are graphite impregnated and don't require any lubrication.

 

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.

 

Anything is better than OEM worn 20 year old bushings.

 

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

back to black was another improvement

 

Total Chaos bushings here, probably 11 years old and still good.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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...

 

Have you checked your lower ball joints? Groaning/creaking is also a symptom of them going bad

 

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.

 

Check the u-joints in the steering shaft. Spray some lube at them to see if the noise lessens/goes away.

 

Bought the Total Chaos....the 11 years and going strong sold me. Thanks

 

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.

 

Will do, thanks!

 

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

 

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.