Dysturbed87 Posted August 18, 2014 Report Share Posted August 18, 2014 Saturday I went to drive the stang before it goes back into storage and the steering was really weird. The steering wheel had to be turned about 1/4 either way for the car to be driving straight. Come to find out the steering rack bushings are gone. They disintegrated and it is just the bolts/sleeve that are keeping the steering rack on the k-member. I want over the car before mustang week and the bushing were all there.Now the questions...1) How long are urethane bushings supposed to last?2) What would cause urethane bushing to completely disintegrate over a week? They were on the car for about 6 years/37k miles3) Are prothane bushings better/worst than energy suspension? Same quality?4) Are there other options for bushing material for use in a UPR k-member?5) For replacements should I use offset or center whole bushings? Offset was on there and that is what UPR suppliedSent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GearGambler Posted August 18, 2014 Report Share Posted August 18, 2014 I have had the urethane bushings (hotchkins lower control arms) in two different cars, with severe track beatings and over 120k miles on them. I can tell you that they dont just disintegrate. something is definitely wrong. Energy suspension is pretty good company and their ratings are fairly high. I dont think its an issue with the product. Dont offset unless you need it. I think you should take a hard look at the rest of the setup in addition to the bushings - somthing sounds like it is seriously wrong. can you show us any pics of the pieces of the material that is left? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prokiller Posted August 18, 2014 Report Share Posted August 18, 2014 1) longer than rubber that's for sure2) very very strange3) same quality, just different companys4) should be able to use solid bushings5) offset if that's what the k-member came with Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dysturbed87 Posted August 18, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 18, 2014 I will definitely get some pictures of what's left. The car isn't driven much, it is stored in my garage most of the year and really hasn't been driven in two years. I start it two times a month and drive it through the neighborhood during one of the start ups. All suspension parts that need to move when turning turn without binding or anything (checked it before mustang week). No nuts/bolts are loose. I was looking at solid bushings, but all the ones I see state they are either to be used in the stock kmember or mm kmember.Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dysturbed87 Posted August 18, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 18, 2014 There isn't anything left in either the driver or passenger side.DriverPassengerSent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve-Oh Posted August 19, 2014 Report Share Posted August 19, 2014 What da fug?! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dysturbed87 Posted August 19, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 19, 2014 What da fug?!I am there with you. They were all there before I went to mustang week, but they have now gone missing. Does anyone know what parts could cause the rack bushings to be worn so quickly (ie. ball joints, tie rods, etc)? Anyone think Myrtle beach was hot enough to melt them...lol, I'm kidding. Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve-Oh Posted August 19, 2014 Report Share Posted August 19, 2014 ... Anyone think Myrtle beach was hot enough to melt them...lol, I'm kidding.Lol I wouldn't rule that out, it was HOT when I was down in 2013! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prokiller Posted August 19, 2014 Report Share Posted August 19, 2014 that's nuts! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackmage Posted August 19, 2014 Report Share Posted August 19, 2014 what about just going to a solid rack bushing? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dysturbed87 Posted August 19, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 19, 2014 what about just going to a solid rack bushing?I was thinking of this, buy any solid bushing I find says they will only work on the stock kmember or the maximum motorsports one. What solid bushings do you all recommend? How much more NVH will solid bushings make? Also, since the ones that came with the kmember were offset the solid ones would need to be tooSent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
01yellercobra Posted August 19, 2014 Report Share Posted August 19, 2014 I wonder if you can drill out a solid bushing to fit that bolt? I have Steeda solid bushings. They're offset. I didn't notice a difference in NVH. But I still have the stock steering shaft. I went from oil soaked stock rubber bushings to the solid and it made a big difference in response. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SublimeRT Posted August 19, 2014 Report Share Posted August 19, 2014 That is pretty impressive. I am going to go out on a limb here and guess that because of the offset nature of the urethane bushings, it wore through the thin part of the bushings, then the rest of it just rolled around and destroyed itself as you drove the car and turned the wheel until it fell out. Unless you need the offset for oil pan clearance or something then I would stick with center drilled bushings and fix any bumpsteer issues with a bumpsteer kit. I'd also give MM a shout and see if they have some solid bushings that would be compatible with the UPR K. The NVH increase with the solid bushings is neglible and they really help the steering feel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dysturbed87 Posted August 19, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 19, 2014 I was kind of thinking the thin part got worn too and that was the downfall. It just baffles me because the car was daily driven with this setup for years and there wasn't an issue, but when I drive it for a week at maybe 1k miles this happens. I'm just glad that I was driving through my neighborhood when the steering became loose.I will give MM a call and see if they have anything. I've had a Steeda bump steer kit on there since the kmember was installed. So if all else fails maybe I will just use standard poly bushings.Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
