What is the correct way to remove steering rack bushings?
Ford FairmontThe Ford Fairmont was an all-new, rear wheel drive compact car introduced in 1978 and sold through 1983. Coupe, sedan, and wagon bodies appeared at introduction, joined slightly later by a specialty coupe with a different roofline known as the Futura. The Fairmont Futura featured an unusual two-piece vinyl roof with an upswept central roof band.
What is the correct way to remove steering rack bushings?
It is a little to late for me, broke my rack using a press. Considered using a torch, but thought it would warp rack. I tried looking in manuals and the net, all they said was "remove old bushings and install new. Just wanting to know how to do this for future reference, thanks
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79' z-7 2.3, 82' futura 289, 80' zephyr wagon I6, 4 door parts cars " 2 monts"
I experianced the same thing, broke the aluminum mounting boss of a manual rack that I wanted to install on my 85 Mustang. The 85 uses 2 split rubber bushings that just slip into the racks mounting holes, where the older FOXes have pressed in bushings with a metal sleeve inside. Anyhow, what I did the next time, was to drill thru the rubber bushing in a number of places, and then the bushing slipped out easily. I`m wondering why you are removing your rack bushings,are they actually worn out? Since there are at least 2 different styles of methods that the rack mounts to the K member, make sure you get the right style. The early FOX cars with the metal sleeve inside the bushing use larger bolts that are torqued much higher than the later style. The later split bushings have no sleeve, but they have steel tubing about 2" long on the K member, that the bushings slide onto, and much thinner bolts go thru the tubing, and require much less torque.
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78 Fairmont 2 dr sedan drag car. 428CJ, 4 speed. 10.03@132mph
79 Zephyr Z7 coupe all original 302 auto
85 Mustang NHRA Stock Eliminator 302 4 speed
Yes it did have the metal sleeve, I ordered a tubular k member that came with new bushings and the factory ones would not go over the pegs on new k member. Thought I would save some $ by reusing the old p.s.rack, but gave myself a ligit excuse to get that manual rack.The new bushings are 2 piece without a sleeve since the k member has them made onto it. It is my fault for not doing more research before trying anything, thanks for the advice.
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79' z-7 2.3, 82' futura 289, 80' zephyr wagon I6, 4 door parts cars " 2 monts"
I had no problems getting those old bushings out of my '83 rack. Sad thing is i cant remember how I did it. I dont have any special tools or press. My car is a low mileage car thow...not sure if that helped. I do have the power steering rack for sell if any one needs one. I ended up going with a manual rack.
I just cut the back side off with a hack saw, and used a 1-1/4in deepwell socket, 6in extension, and a 3Lb hammer to drive it out. i use that method often for random things ie timing cover seals, camshaft bearings, core/frost plugs, ect...
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'79 FEARmont Futura, 98 Cosworth Escort Mk5 RS2000 , 90 RamCharger, 80 fairmont Sedan, 86 cougar, 89 Crown Vic, 93 T-bird 5.0HO, 98 countour, AND 2 BRAND NEW (1994 AND 2004) MUSTANG COBRAS!!! straight from the bone yard... also the others 96 3.8 stang, soon to get the 5.0HO from a 94 SVT
Since I could face similar concerns with the rack in my '79 soon, I would like to know: do any of you know which kinds of rack bushings were used which specific years and is a rack from a later car an upgrade in any way?
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What is the correct way to remove steering rack bushings? 
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