Install 05 STI Steering Rack Bushings

So I decided after looking at our steering rack bushings that I was going to attempt to see if the 05 STI's from Whiteline fit our LGT's. Eyeballing it it looked close. I finally got the part and it is a dead match. The stiffer bushings will tighten up the feel of the wheel and reduce play when steering. It is a mod you can feel from the get go, but offers no performance benefit.

 

 

Instructions

 

On the older WRX's this install was a PITA. On our cars expect about 45min-1hr depending upon your pace.

 

Tools needed

-12mm socket

-14mm socket

-17mm socket for removal tool

-3/8 inch drive socket wrench

-flathead screw driver

-Grease

 

Whiteline Part # KSR205

 

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y279/SteveISU/100_0630.jpg

 

1. Remove the under tray

 

2. Remove the front subframe brace. (about 8 bolts)

 

3. Inorder to make the install of the bushings much easier your going to unbolt the steering shaft coupling bolt seen here.

 

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y279/SteveISU/100_0625.jpg

 

This allows you to move the entire rack downwards once you've unbolted the driver and passanger side brackets to the rack. Once all of the brackets and the coupling bolt are undone pull the entire rack down.

 

4. Removing the passanger side bushing is simple. You may have to use a flat head screwdriver to pry it away (seems they used double sided tape to make it stick), but you do not have to destroy it like you often had to on the WRX.

 

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y279/SteveISU/100_0622.jpg

 

5. With the passenger side bushing out you can now slide over and get the drivers side out. Whiteline supplies a removal tool to make the job much easier. (pic) It is basically a bolt, nut, and cup. Once you slide the bolt thru the bushing and thread it onto the nut you can begin to tighten the bolt which draws the bushing out and into the cup (pic).

 

Removal Tool:

 

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y279/SteveISU/100_0634.jpg

 

Drivers side:

 

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y279/SteveISU/100_0624.jpg

 

Removal tool in place:

 

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y279/SteveISU/100_0627.jpg

 

Bushing drawn out with removal tool:

 

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y279/SteveISU/100_0629.jpg

 

 

6. With all the bushings out your ready to put the new in. I did the drivers side first (it's a tighter fit) and then the passanger side. Whiteline supplies some grease, but I always use Mobil 1 bearing grease. Putting in the drivers side is pretty self explanitory (just remember to give the inside of the bushings a good coat of grease before you slide the metal sleeves into them.

 

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y279/SteveISU/100_0631.jpg

 

7. Now slide over and install the passanger side bushing. Again, coat the inside of the bushing liberally with grease and slide it up in there. There are two shelves on the passanger side bushing (the smaller one goes up). Once all the bushings are in place begin reinstalling both driver and passenger side brackets and tighten everything up.

 

Passenger Side:

 

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y279/SteveISU/100_0632.jpg

 

8. Once all is tightened up go back up and retighten the steering rack coupling bolt (you won't turn too well if you forget )

 

9. Reinstall all bracing and under tray.

Good idea and nice writeup/walkthrough.

Sweet, I was wondering the same thing. But I didn't want to try it for fear that it would be a PITA.

 

I have to disagree about one thing though, crisper steering wheel feel is definitely a performance mod in my mind (it'll certainly help lower times at auto-x).

Sweet!! Want to come over and install mine???

Nice,,I had those on my 04 STi and it was def worth the effort.

 

Rudy

Any increase in NVH?

looks good....hows the difference?

Yes...how's the difference? I know you mentioned you can feel it from the get go...but I am still curious to hear more about it.

Any increase in NVH?

 

 

None!

 

 

The steering wheel is much tighter and there is absolutely no play. It honestly feels like a different car. It took me a couple of miles to get used to it. For the $55 it costs, it is definetly a bang for the buck type mod.

dumb question...what is NVH?

Noise, Vibration, Harshness. Not a dumb question. I had to ask it once too on a different forum.

Is it a little too twitchy on the highway at say 80 mph?

 

I test drove a celics once and found it too be tiring on the highway.

Is it a little too twitchy on the highway at say 80 mph?

 

I test drove a celics once and found it too be tiring on the highway.

 

 

Not at all, I was on the highway yesterday at 90mph and the car was smooth.

macro setting anyone?

now like any of my other questions in the suspension forum: will they fit the 2.5i ?

 

i have done the same mod on my integra with the energy suspension bushings and the results are beyound my expectation, freaking awesome.

where did u purchase these?

where did u purchase these?

 

You can get them from Rallitek.com or Fastwrx.com

MPJ Performance.

i'm sure it's probably easy to install for those who are mechanically inclined but how much would it cost to get installed at a shop?

I got mine from P&L Motorsports. Thanks Rich! $55

 

 

As far as how much would a shop charge to install them? My Guess would be an hour worth of labor (every shop is different).

Great write-up Boxer! I did a quick search on google for the part number and found them at Kastle's Korner for $39.98 (+ $9.72 for 3 day shipping). Can't wait to get them on.

 

Chris

Great write-up Boxer! I did a quick search on google for the part number and found them at Kastle's Korner for $39.98 (+ $9.72 for 3 day shipping). Can't wait to get them on.

 

Chris

 

 

Mastro has them pretty cheap as well.

macro setting anyone?

 

:icon_ques

:icon_ques

 

the close-up shots are blurry.. if boxer used the macro setting on the camera (the flower icon as most people refer to it) the pics would come out a lot clearer.

 

I talked to Tibor at http://www.rev-lab.com about making me a faster steering rack instead.. they have no intention of making one I really want something like that since I had the 11.5:1 steering rack for my WRX (which is still sitting at home btw if someone wants to buy it ).

 

I didnt do the steering bushing mod eventhough I took the entire rack out of the WRX (which is way easier to swap out the bushings if people are thinking of doing just the bushings). With an 11.5:1 steering (2 turns lock to lock instead of 3 turns), I didnt need anymore feedback from the steering.. (the stiff sidewalls of the tires I ran was more than enough for me to know when I was going to get understeer).

 

IMO, I dont think that the bushings are worth the hassle to do unless or until they split and wear out, nevertheless, good write-up.

 

FYI, Impreza GDx and Legacy BL/P steering racks are different by far in terms of the fluid lines.. I tried installing my WRX rack onto my GT.. nothing lines up by far.

now like any of my other questions in the suspension forum: will they fit the 2.5i ?

 

i have done the same mod on my integra with the energy suspension bushings and the results are beyound my expectation, freaking awesome.

 

 

they should fit on the 2.5i.. it's the same rack as far as I know.