Current source for steering rack bushes?

archangel62 · Post by **archangel62** » Wed May 25, 2011 11:28 pm

Hey guys,

I'm chasing some new steering rack mounting bushes before I put an engine in. I know this has been partially covered before, but the local Sprints didn't have a listing (they only checked the Nolathane book) and I'm thinking a brand/part number/retailer might get me there a lot faster. I tried some standard Gemini Nolathane bushes, they aren't interchangeable, but anyone who knows me, knows they won't go to waste...

So does anyone have a brand and part number for the bushes that mount the steering rack to the crossmember? And perhaps the name of a store that you know stocks said brand?

The info I turned up was as follows:
"Steering rack mount bushes are available in polyurethane from Superpro can find them on whiteline.com.au for around $40.. I bought a pair of rubber Isuzu ones from Holden a few years back cost $70 i think.."

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Oh and I think I owe you all a brief explanation... I bought Chris' old black Piazza without an engine a year or so ago, got some custom forged pistons made up through JE, grabbed some ARP head studs and built myself a 4ZC1-T. I have to sort out the accessories and a few other bits and bobs, then I'll drop it into the black Piazza and finally get her on the road. I love that thing, and rest assured, despite the four Geminis currently in my possession, I'm doing the polar opposite to the average; I bought a Piazza without an enigne, to fix up and get back on the road, and hopefully keep it there til I'm too geriatric to safely enjoy it...

Cheers
Eli

Post by **wedgenut** » Thu May 26, 2011 4:38 am

SPF1655K is the superpro part number, any steering outfit will get them for you. You can also get Isuzu OEM from IPTOC for both Lotus and Pre Lotus models. There are Fulcrum Suspension dealers and sub agents all over OZ

archangel62 · Post by **archangel62** » Fri Jun 03, 2011 12:53 am

Cheers for the part number. I ordered them, and picked them up today. Tried to fit them, but it looks like my smooth-sailing project has run out of luck and hit a point of annoyance.

The SuperPro bushes allow for a ton of side to side movement. Their shape seems about right, and they fit well enough, but my steering rack can move a good 5mm or so from side to side! It's horrific. You can see about 1mm clearance either side on the driver's side mount - the one that stops lateral movement.. then, when bush compression and flex comes into it, there's about 5mm of movement. I'm pretty pissed off about it, I was kind of hoping that they'd actually fit snug, like they should, since their website lists them for the Piazza etc.

I'm going to email or call them tomorrow and see what they say. That, or some kind of washer or shim could do the job... but I'd rater the bush just work properly!

Post by **wedgenut** » Fri Jun 03, 2011 4:33 am

That sounds very dodgy to me, I have a pair of new superpro bushes in my stock plus a set of old used Isuzu OEM ones and they are identical. I have used the superpro ones a few times with no problems, The only cars that had different mounts were the later HBL versions. If you have one of those talk to IPTOC as they have them in stock.

Post by **Piazza_man** » Fri Jun 03, 2011 7:44 am

Ahmm archangel62 on a side note, still waiting on that package buddy

archangel62 · Post by **archangel62** » Fri Jun 03, 2011 11:45 am

Wedgenut, interesting, fairly sure mine is towards the 1986 end of things. The OEM bushes seemed to have more meat on the "edges" on the driver's bush, and more of a wedge shape on the edges to "jam it on." This one just doesn't quite seem wide enough. I didn't have time last night to measure or take pics, but I'll be calling SuperPro today and taking pics/measurements as required tonight. Also, the base (crossmember end) of the rack mating surface (driver's side) seemed a little odd...

Eyecon - apologies buddy, I assure you it's not going anywhere else. It's sitting there, removed, in the Piazza in the back yard.. not doing anything. It seems to be a case of "out of sight, out of mind" - as soon as I bring it inside I'll actually remember. So yeah very sorry, don't hesitate to remind me weekly/daily/etc until it's sent! haha

Post by **Piazza_man** » Fri Jun 03, 2011 4:31 pm

I hate hasslin ya, but if you insist...

Post by **wedgenut** » Fri Jun 03, 2011 6:26 pm

I can do you pictures of the OEM versus Superpro and the mount base on a standard crossmember for comparison if need be. I don't have specs for the HBL but what I do know is the passenger side bush is the exact same on all models from first release through to the end, turbo and non turbo, HBL and pre HBL. It was the drivers side bush that was different on HBL

IZU069 · Post by **IZU069** » Fri Jun 03, 2011 11:30 pm

I could probably build a current source. Is 2A enough?

I swapped my good condition rack rubbers with the rotted ones off Bartarmann's - just before he retired his of course!

archangel62 · Post by **archangel62** » Tue Jun 14, 2011 4:03 am

Don't suppose anyone has an original Holden part number? My Superpro's have now been returned. I have pics and measurements of them for reference, though. And Superpro were useless to deal with

lol, Peter, that took me a minute. I must be getting slow. A current source might speed things up. 2A - depends where exactly!

Post by **wedgenut** » Tue Jun 14, 2011 4:33 am

Don't suppose anyone has an original Holden part number? My Superpro's have now been returned. I have pics and measurements of them for reference, though. And Superpro were useless to deal with sad

Isuzu numbers (Holden can look them up) are for the right hand or Pinion side:
Up to July 1987 8-94127-543-1
From JUly 1987 on it is 8-94311-750-0
for the other side there were 3 types but if yours is the later onbe above for the RHS then the matching one for the left is
8-94311-751-0

Bear in mind these numbers may have been superceded by now, by far your best bet is to trot along to GM with your Vin number or ask IPTOC. THEY HAVE THEM IN STOCK

archangel62 · Post by **archangel62** » Wed Jun 15, 2011 12:46 am

Wedgenut saves the day again

Thanks matey, I shall pursue this and report back.

archangel62 · Post by **archangel62** » Mon Jun 20, 2011 3:38 pm

Blast! Holden said they're no longer made, and there isn't any in stock throughout Australia! However, interestingly, he said that Holden only had a listing for one particular "shape" of bush - which doesn't seem to line up with the part numbers listed above. I'm inclined to believe there were indeed variations, but it's interesting that Holden (allegedly) only supplied one particular style.

I might start looking internationally. eBay has not yet yielded results, IPTOC seems promising, although I've never seen the site before so I'll have to figure out exactly which one I'm after, how to buy etc. I shall report!

Worst case scenario, I have mould-making putty, I can cast a replica up from silicone and perhaps send it to Nolathane... Or just buy a chunk of polyurethane and have it lathed to suit. Where there's a will, there's a way. And despite temptations to drop said forged engine into my track Gemini instead, come hell or high water (damnit) I will resist the temptation, and give my Piazza it's new life! I mean hell, I could just reuse the old ones... But I'd really like to avoid that...

Post by **wedgenut** » Mon Jun 20, 2011 4:59 pm

Don't get all flustered about IPTOC

Clive is a member of our group, username "IPTOC" funnily enough so send him a PM and tell him your troubles and he will sort it out. They accept PAYPAL for payment and I'm sure other methods as well. he will sort you out pretty quick I'm sure with dimensions or photos as required. If you get really stuck I can contact him directly for you if you send me some pictures of your existing bushes.

He (and IPTOC) are officially a good bunch and can be trusted.

archangel62 · Post by **archangel62** » Wed Jun 22, 2011 11:27 am

Good stuff - I'm now in contact with him, confirming which bushes will suit my car and taking it from there. Sounds like it'll all come good, without me having to lathe up any custom polyurethane.