Fitting Powerflex Bushes To PAS Rack

[Titus A Duxass]

Hurry up someone I need to do mine.

[maxstu]

Stay tuned. It will happen during the week. I will post some pictures at short write up

[Titus A Duxass]

Stay tuned. It will happen during the week. I will post some pictures at short write up

Top man!

[maxstu]

Stay tuned. It will happen during the week. I will post some pictures at short write up

Top man!

Tool kit ready for tomorrow.

[Mocki]

Stop messing about on the internet and get it done, I want to do mine ......

[toolsntat]

Boy this is infectious, getting the urge to do mine now even though the rest of that van is in a terminal state and needs a miracle
Andy

[maxstu]

Well they are in! 3/5 spanner rating. Some handy tips coming in full write up later today.

[maxstu]

Here is my findings when fitting POWERFLEX bushes to PAS steering.
Firstly, it took me about 2 hours to do. On hindsight l could drop that down by 30-45 mins now l have completed this task.

Tools required:
Normally l work with 1/2 inch drive tools. But for this l used 3/8 as they are easier to handle in limited space. And hurt less when they drop on my face
2 x 13mm ring spanners or sockets. Wobble extension bar is handy but not necessary.
19mm wheel nut wrench
Torque wrench.
2 x axle stands.
Marker pen or tippex
Wire wool and small wire brush.
Gemmy bar 12inch
Packing wood. Various sizes.
Stanley knife or small hacksaw.
Plusgas
Cardboard to lay on.

Place vehicle on axle stands, as high as safely possible; mine are under chassis inboard of front JP's, and remove front wheels. This is when l noticed new discs and pads are not bedding properly. Another job tomorrow



Mark with tippex then disconnect the steering shaft from relay unit by the side of radiator. Now is time to check flexible coupling too. Move shaft to one side. Inboard works best.
Okay lve hit the wrong button and will have to start on another page. Will continue immediately

[maxstu]

I removed and replaced coupling recently.


Undo all four rack bolts. I concentrated on the top ones first, making certain l didnt slip and round off nuts. Back and forth with added Plusgas. The bottom two can be abused as easy to cut off if knackered.



Lever steering rack away from chassis by about 25mm and block out with a batten of wood. I was concerned this would stress PAS pipes (solid on this camper) but there is little option as you need room at back of rack to add new POWERFLEX bushes.



With the lower two bushes l cut away rubber which butts up against chassis and pushed out using large screwdriver and a squirt of Plusgas. Pretty easy. If your van has flexi PAS pipes l would consider supporting rack before doing this. I just held it in one hand and pushed screwdriver with other. You dont need a photo for that....



With the top two l used a widened notch on a gemmy bar and blocking wood as a fulcrum.
Place the old bolt, washer and add nut to thread back through bush but do not connect to chassis rail. I have used a previous picture to explain.



These pictures show you what lm talking about. Too difficult to photo in situ. Place gemmy behind washer or bolthead. Add blocking wood to chassis and lever out bush. Use Plusgas too. Bush by steering box is a bit fiddly so attack from side.







Clean and lubricate holes with sachet of special grease.

Add new POWERFLEX by simply pushing in from both sides and adding sleeves. All lightly lubed of course. Then remove block of wood and manoeuvre rack to mounting position. This was actually the hardest bit, trying to line up bolt holes' blindly. Again, in hindsight, l would use a cheap B&Q wood grip to aid me. Didnt have one on board van though.
All new bolts, washers and nylocks in place.
Only lightly nipped for now.



Reverse procedure to refit steering rod to coupling...you did check coupling, didn't you?
Make sure your tippex marks all line up. All nuts should be renewed and torqued according to manual. That's your decision

Torque POWERFLEX steering rack bolts to manufacturer's spec. Which l assume is same as normal bushes.

Four homeless bushes

[maxstu]

What! No questions? Scared you all away? Where's the luvvy style accolades for taking on this task? Ive got better jobs to do, you know

[Simon Baxter]

We're just waiting fr you to say how much better your steering feels now..

[maxstu]

We're just waiting fr you to say how much better your steering feels now..

Cant tell you Not been for much of a drive. Besides since welding around the radius rod mount toe in/out and tracking are alarmingly way out. And winding a length of string around all four wheels tells me the rear wheels are out too. So in for four wheel tracking with MOT on 28th May.
I fitted purple steering rack bushes to my first camper. That was a pop top with 15 inch Merc wheels. Now that did handle very well indeed.
Im viewing this as continuing preventative maintanence

[R0B]

I have a question. Do you want to come and do mine?

[maxstu]

I have a question. Do you want to come and do mine?

Perhaps if you lived a bit closer.
Happily offer advice over phone though.
Before the madness we had planned to visit/camp for a few nights at Rainow in June. Then on to Anglesey. Are you en route...and how long can you wait?

[R0B]

I was only joking fella I live in Macclesfield.