[AlfaRomeo1750]

Hey guys.... I took the 164 in for PA state inspection today ... while waiting a mechanic came by and gave the little sniggly laundry list of items that needed fixing. Unfortunately one part that I need is unobtanium by all domestic parts suppliers and I need suggestions....
The rubber bushing that cushions the steering rack against the frame is shot.... I called across the USA and they are either on back order or unobtainable. Algar Ferarri & Alfa romeo said to make a bushing..... any idea how to accomplish this ???

Many thanks
Martin

 

[Alfissimo Int.]

Hey guys.... I took the 164 in for PA state inspection today ... while waiting a mechanic came by and gave the little sniggly laundry list of items that needed fixing. Unfortunately one part that I need is unobtanium by all domestic parts suppliers and I need suggestions....
The rubber bushing that cushions the steering rack against the frame is shot.... I called across the USA and they are either on back order or unobtainable. Algar Ferarri & Alfa romeo said to make a bushing..... any idea how to accomplish this ???

Many thanks
Martin

Use the rubber mount from the drivers side that is still available. Works just fine when compressed in the bracket.

Jason

 

[Alfisto Steve]

Which one is worn out driver's side 82388352? See www.difatta.com they show 6 in stock. Passenger side is part of rack and if that one is shot you need to pull rack to drill out swagged area around clamp to get apart so you can replace it with modified driver's side 82388352 or something else.

 

[AlfaRomeo1750]

Hey guys,

Thanks for the replies... Silly question though.. since I am not familiar with the lower bushing locations as I am rarely under ... mostly bent over... my 164, how could I tell if the bushing was the driver's side or passenger side?

To be honest, the bushing the mechanic showed me was more aligned with the center of the car/middle of the rack or so it seemed from my vantage point.

If this is the passenger side... does the whole rack have to come out? I ask this because I JUST JUST JUST had the rack replaced not long ago (for a princely sum I might add), which is why this sort of trouble is a complete out of left field shocker.

Thanks again ..
Cheers
Martin.

 

[Alfisto Steve]

If you had a rack replaced and it was a good one passenger side bushing should not be bad as it is part of rack not car. However that is no quarantee that side is good. Both rubber bushings are near center of car inboard of rubber accordion style boots over inner tie rod ends. Driver's side is replacable one but even it will be a bit of a job to get at.

Do you have oval boot on passenger side or round like driver's side? Have mech tell you whether it is truly a worn out mounting bushing for rack to chassis and for which side or a round or oval boot that has a problem.

Bushing is item 7 in first picture of rack with round boots. Second picture is rack with oval boot on passenger side but uses same item 7 bushing. Removable clamp item 2 clamps down this bushing.

Bushing that is part of rack is under fixed clamp that item 5 bolt on passenger side goes into and that one has to have clamp clamping drilled out to remove clamp to get to bushing.

Here are some search results to overload your with too much inforation (TMI) but maybe helpful, last link is list of first three plus some more light reading on steering racks see the links within the links for more info and pictures:

http://www.alfabb.com/bb/forums/showthread.php?t=31572&highlight=rack+bushing

http://www.alfabb.com/bb/forums/showthread.php?t=12455&highlight=rack+bush

http://www.alfabb.com/bb/forums/showthread.php?t=22552&highlight=rack+bushing

http://www.alfabb.com/bb/forums/search.php?searchid=815498