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Rack and pinion passenger side movement.... d@MN :(

Happy Hummer

Happy Hummer

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1,455
Location
Wisconsin
07 hummer h3 68k miles approximately.
Very well cared for (ie ocd 'esq lol)

I've researched this for hours and am looking to replace the oem.

This is a company vehicle and does do a lot of towing and winter's are brutal on it.

I'm not in need of the aftermarket fixes as the oem was decent up till now. I would ideally like something I can install without removing the rack.

The passenger side bushing is allowing for slippage and slop. The drivers side looks intact. Oddly enough the passenger side is not deformed or torn just slipping. Of course this allows the rack to move.

Thanks
 
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4speedfunk

4speedfunk

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Tardville
Wrap three layers of electrical tape around the tube, right at the clamp. This works fantastic...lasts 50k miles or so. Costs five cents, and you can leave the rack in place.
Forget replacing the GM clamp bushing with a new one...as its not the real issue. The issue is the tube itself is actually reduced in diameter from friction. Sand and grit combined with the back & forth motion, shaves the diameter down to the point where the clamp (even a brand new GM clamp bushing) won't tighten enough to hold it.
To fix it right...get the Outfitter Design kit. It costs $200 and does require removal of the rack. But It addresses both the clamp AND the drivers side bushings....
http://www.outfitterdesign.com/steering-rack-reinforcement-kit.html
 
GreatDaneHummer

GreatDaneHummer

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I currently use the ones from Australia and they are WELL WORTH IT. Very high quality and my rack does not move in any way. Combine that with what 4speedfunk is saying with a new clamp on either end and you are bullet proof.
 
GreatDaneHummer

GreatDaneHummer

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Chicago
cgalpha08 said:
Details please, thanks.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

I would love to take credit for this and actually know what I am talking about but this one I left for the pro's. I ordered what I thought was a 16mm Hummer H3 steering rack but instead I have the guys at the shop take off my current steering rack and I hand them the "new one" they take a look at it and say "you do know this is not for your truck". I say oops well its taken apart now can you make it work. Sure they said. The biggest difference is their are 4 bolts that clamp it to the frame vs. our two. So they cut one of the mounting bolt holes off the 2500 one and moved it to the side of it to match the normal factory H3 rack. I would not recommend going to this extreme of a project. 1.) I was a dumb #*% for not ordering the new one correctly and it cost me a lot of money to do this. 2.) I feel the steering is a little too easy now and too effortless on the highway.
 
Happy Hummer

Happy Hummer

Well-Known Member
Messages
1,455
Location
Wisconsin
RANT....... hide the children.

Ugh! This d@mn rack & pinion..... crap, crap lol :(

What sick a $$hole came up with this design.
I was able to finally get all the bolts free (anti siezed heavily now).
This design had to be thought up by some sick sadist. Ugh!

I'm gonna have to replace the bushing and mount and intermediate lower/mid upper.
It's all cr@p big time. The u joint in the intermediate is bad. The bushing (laugh at that design) is bad. The mid upper intermediate is bad.
Damn, d@mn, d@mn.
Ok. Done. Hahaha. Rant off....

Gf's intermediates were done a year so ago by myself and nephew. It was a real b!there and took a bit of 2 days. WI rustbelt.


On my back again can't wait....
 
Happy Hummer

Happy Hummer

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Messages
1,455
Location
Wisconsin
In a further quest to fix this problem for good I'm going to now begin work on a retaining system that will replace the passenger side fully.
I've seen the designs currently available but am going to throw my hat in the ring. I've come up with some neat ideas.
The rack mount is got to be simpler and less expensive then current offerings and it needs to be solid.

Anyone have the exact o.d. measurements of tube for rack and pinion?
 
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4speedfunk

4speedfunk

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4,247
Location
Tardville
Anyone have the exact o.d. measurements of tube for rack and pinion?
Click to expand...

That's the real problem. A brand new GM bushing will fit too loose on a used rack. The issue is the O.D. of the rack tube gets shaved down by slipping back & forth in the bushing. As crazy as it sounds...the steel tube wears before the rubber bushing. You'll see what I mean when you take it out. That's why the three-layers of electrical tape works so well. It restores the O.D. to the proper diameter so the clamp will hold it.

Don't overdo it however. Too much tape will allow you to tighten the clamp enough to cause the piston (inside the rack) to seize.
 
Happy Hummer

Happy Hummer

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Messages
1,455
Location
Wisconsin
Parts came yesterday. Yes... Just have to get them in this weekend.
Did a bunch of measuring on the bracket/bushing for steering rack.

I.D. 2 3/16th inches on interior of bushing.
Bracket 2 x 6"
Bracket horse shoe shaped area 2 7/16th I.D.
Bracket horse shoe width 1 1/4" across face
Metal thickness 1/8th - 3\16th" varies due to fabrication tolerances.

Figured these measurements could be useful to possible future questions.

All measurements are approximations and may be slightly off....
 
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Happy Hummer

Happy Hummer

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Messages
1,455
Location
Wisconsin
Replaced all the stuff today. All nice again. Smile.... rack mount still sucks much better.
I'm going to have to work a aftermarket bracket yet.
 
GreatDaneHummer

GreatDaneHummer

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994
Location
Chicago
I don't know the part number off hand because it was not the one I ordered. I have my phone number under the Black Bear Pass thread. Text me and I can send over some photos of what I have mounted up?
 
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