Can.anyone recommend poly bushes for my rack even with new bushes the rack moves a good inch. I tried to fit more metal washers but no room the rubber in the bushing it self seems to be moving i guess the euro part is just a little soft. Any info where to get would be helpful.
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That’s not possible, Sawyer - no rack bushes are that soft. The difference between ‘ordinary’ and poly is pretty marginal…
Something is amiss - there should be no rack movement at all with any bespoke rack bushing…
Frank
xj6 865 Sov Europe (UK/NZ)
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Frank i will post a video so you can see.what’s happening.
To limit sideways movement of the rack bore the centers of the thrust rubber/steel washers so
they fit over the protruding ends of the bushes, add packing washers as required.
I assume you have fitted thrust washers?
Peter B.
If similar to the S3 the thrust washers are essential but it’s impossible that they’d move a full inch? Half an inch at best. Has been just a year but the „top hat“ poly washers held up well. Also easy to install. I‘m waiting for the video because I can’t figure it out yet.
I used the top hat bushes and with the original u shaped shim piece that was in the bracket replaced it worked perfectly, no movement at all now. Before I replaced the bushes my rack moved about an inch as well. Bushes were CAC1635K kit from SNG and easy to fit.
Ian
Peter
I install thrust.washers and also the rubber washer. I could barely fit a washer in it was very tight. I will send video. But not having very much luck. I’m going to have to figure out how i know how to send picture but not video.
Riv944 thanks will.check it out.
You’ll have to do it via YouTube or similar.
Really?
I recall reading those in agreement that urethane bushings made steering feel too hard and out of character with car.
Like wood…
I did it all on my xjs years ago. Both steering rack and trans spring mount.
Thw car was of course felt like it was on rails (aston db7 wheels and low profile tires notwithstanding) but i did find the vibrations through the steering column too much.
Not to mention sudden prop shaft vibes i had hell of time getting rid of i never had problem before with.
Personally, fwiw,when i get there on my s1 xj6 i intend to replace with rubber.
I recall the steering rack bushes are a design flaw and can become rather dangerous. My bushes definitely are a huge improvement and I can’t feel steering wheel vibration or harshness, while there is some vibration from tyres and probably drivetrain as well. Can’t speak about all the other bushes, but for the steering rack I won’t use anything but the top hat PU design. Given that the steering is still dampened by the column and the IFS mounts I’m not surprised that it works well, and the PUs are not overly stiff.
Hmm…certainly possible.
Fwiw, mine were John’s Cars bushings in Dallas.
I wouldn’t purchase from him again personally.
Thanks for the note.
[quote="davidsxj6, post:11, Can’t speak about all the other bushes, but for the steering rack I won’t use anything but the top hat PU design.
[/quote]
I would have to second this. I bought blue PU bushes from a Jag specialist in Sydney - he also refurbished the rack. I am really happy with them. Paul
You don’t happen to talk about SuperPro bushings, Paul https://superpro.com.au/find/superpro-suspension-parts-and-poly-bushings-for-jaguar-xj-mk1-mk3-1968-1992-/cid-999500050? Only a few weeks ago I replaced almost the entire front suspension on my Spitfire (inner lower wishbone bushings, sway bar bushings) with their PU parts + new top ball joints, sway bar links, tie rod ends. All in all a world of difference even though the old setup was by no means down and out.
I was very satisfied with their products: all steel parts are stainless, silicone grease comes with them. Handling is very easy as the bushings are split in two (at least mine were) and when you purchase their kits the components are packaged separately and clearly marked what belongs where. They weren’t exactly cheap, but then I bought the full kit and still have a lot of components waiting on the shelf. Plus, at least I feel like everything was done right and I may enjoy the new bushings for the next 30+ years. NAYY.
Good luck
Jochen
75 XJ6L 4.2 auto (UK spec)
I put whiteline bushings in all of my Steering racks from Series I - Series III as well as the XJ-S’s
Here’s a link to whiteline
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I think that might be the brand. Paul
urethane verses rubber bushes.
Here’s my take; and I’m of the camp don’t destroy the Jaguar Characteristics.
I’ve come up with a mixture of rubber and urethane bushes that don’t detract from the character of the ride, but enhance the suspension performance without sending vibration through the steering column and every where else.
- swaybar endlinks - urethane
- swaybar mounts - rubber (with stop collars on the inside - both sides).
- upper and lower control arms - urethane
- radius arms big end - rubber
- radius arm to fulcrum little end - urethane
- IRS mounts - rubber
- IFS mounts - rubber.
In a nut shell maintain the rubber bushes to all that connects the suspension to the car. The other components of suspension soft urethane. Keep in mind that not all urethane bushes are created equal. I’ve use tried several different brands of urethane bushes, and I’ve come to rest on the Mavotek (If I could find them again) and Whiteline. Ive used Prothane on other cars as well as Jaguars. These bushes work great on the Impala SS, but not so much on a Jag. The Prothane bushes are just too stiff. and telegraph the road everywhere. I drove to Seattle which is about an hour from me and by the time I got there the ignition key cover had rattled off, my hand were tingling from the vibration through the steering wheel.
Did it improve handling? hard to say, the car has Dayton Wires. What I have noticed straight across the board is on the Series III & XJ-S the steering is a bit twitchy. Very little input provides a bunch of output. Once I got use to twitchy steering, I kinda liked it. the only serious down fall is rutted road way - where the Trucks / lorries have grooved the lanes with tire wear. This can be a bit exciting because the car will hunt around in the lane. My Impala SS does the same thing, but the tires are 205 45 18. The foot print of the tire is larger than the worn-in-grooved lane.
Back to rubber and urethane.
I replaced any urethane bushing that connected the IFS and IRS to the structure of the car back to rubber. Specifically URO parts brand. This company has a reputation of not the best parts at a really good price.
There bushes are no exception. The bush rubber is softer than the OE replacement which, I think is a good thing - especially where the suspension bits are all urethane.
I came across Mavotek blue urethane bushes for the rack and other suspension parts, and I really liked them. because the urethane was really soft (in comparison) which was a really good compromise. The bummer is I haven’t run across that brand via any of my vendors. 
There is my 2.5 cents worth.
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Mlee cheers for.that free.shipping on any amount.
Mlee
When you used the steering rack bushes from whiteline did you have to shim with washers? Cheers
Jochen i used superpro for my spitfire but they had to be shipped.from uk. Whiteline has the rack bushes for 30 buck’s no shipping. I have ordered some and will see.