Steering Rack Bushings

[EndeavoredH3]

I decided to attempt replacing the steering rack bushings in my H3 today. I was able to get 3 of the 4 bolts that mount the rack to the frame. I cannot find a way to get to the top bolt of the clamp bushing, but of course the bottom bolt was a piece of cake :giggle:. Does anyone have any tips on getting the top bolt out? I couldn't find a thread with this problem.


Also here are the bushings I am installing: https://www.ebay.com/i/112651278311?chn=ps

 

[Happy Hummer]

It just takes patients and some gymnastics.
I did mine last couple years and I don't remember all the steps but it su"cked lol...

 

[EndeavoredH3]

It seems to be an easy going process except for the one bolt that I can't get a wrench over. But yes, it does su"ck. The only tools I have with me here in flag are the necessities, Im sure if I was home I would make something work in a heartbeat.

Alast what Im trying to say is that I don't know if theres a "sweet spot" type of wrench that fits in the tight space or not. If not, then Ill just make a trip to harbor freight along with some imagination and keep the receipt :giggle:.

 

[alrock]

Easiest way is to disconnect the diff and slide it back a couple of inches. Disconnect the propshaft, put a support under the diff, undo the three bolts and move it backwards. That'll give you better clearance.

 

[lowtrac]

I replaced my clamp bushing with the same one you have. I was able to get the bracket off with normal tools but don't remember specifically how. Maybe a swivel on an extension.

I did chop part of the tab off the bottom of the bracket when I got it out. I couldn't figure out why it was there and it made putting it back in much easier.


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[EndeavoredH3]

As a celebration with being done with chemistry and biology finals this week I decided to give it another go tonight. If anyone stumbles across this thread I want them to know how I was able to get the clamp bushing off. Here it is:


Alrock, I would've loved to slide the differential back a few inches tonight, but I thought I could slide the rack back juuuuust enough to wedge the bushing out. But alas Im more irritated by how close I got to that accomplishment:

So tomorrow Ill be sliding the differential back since the inner tie rod on the driver side (not pictured) is coming into contact with the diff mount bushing on that side. The only thing I am worried about is the differential bolt with the bushing. My dad and I 6 or so years ago found that bushing to be missing on a trail and we did a patch job when we got back to the cabin. Literally wrapped a couple rolls of electrical tape around the bolt to get home and has held since then, I need to contact scorpworks.....

Anyway here were the bushings, I can't believe that Ive driven on the I-17 on these... They were falling apart as I took the two out:

 

[EndeavoredH3]

Update

Alright so I undid the 3 bolts, slid the diff back a few inches, and done. That bushing that sits on top of the frame was a pain, I am sure I could've tacked this more easily if I knew what I was doing.

I loosened the power steering "assembly" line carrier bolts to allow for a little more movement. I tried being nice and gentle to the rack but I couldn't get the last bushing to clear the frame. So I said screw it and got a pry bar in there and got it out. Now my steering wheel is cocked to 2 o'clock position, man those bushings were fried. But now it drives and steers a lot better, I don't know why I didn't do this two years ago!

Thanks to everyone that gave me advice, it was much appreciated.

Next up is to replace the whole cooling system.....