I have just washed my hands after the surprisingly quick and easy steering rack bushing renewal.
The hammering ‘click-clack’ has gone, now with blue ‘Superpro’ PU bushings installed. The steering rack is much more snug now, with negligible lateral movement.
I was fearing this job as I had heard stories of hours spent cussing under the car.... not so; just loosen the steering shaft pinch bolt first and undo the rack bolts - down she comes. You do not even have to disconnect the steering shaft, just let it slip that cm or so down its splines.
I had to deflect the defiant PS hoses to let the brackets out, but the bushing just slipped into place on both sides, no grease, just a little cajoling with a wooden dowel to push the pinion side bushing over the top of the rack.
25 minutes wheels-up to wheels-down. **Rusty cars may need longer.**
easy peasy.
Test drive to come.
After the test drive:
As hoped, the steering has crisped-up, with no negative effects such as increased NVH etc.