i changed the fluid and passenger side axle axle on my car about 1-1/2 months ago. on acceleration i hear a clunk,popping sound. i know the steering rack needs the bushing replaced cause of the play in the wheel and when i hit bumps, it makes the wheel move and makes a funny noise. my axle does stick out about 1/8-1/4" from the tranny housing. the driver side (oem) has the same issue. the passenger axle that was put in was an autozone axle. i already searched and found out that they can be faulty from the factory. thats cool, cause i have the lifetime warranty. the axles do not click at all when turning. the arms coming off the crossmember do not move when i push/pull on them. the axles do move horizontally about 1/8". i dont remember if that is normal or not. so, should i change both axles? oh yeah i searched to find my answer but i didnt really get my answer, they all hear clicking when turning, mine makes the clunk popping noise when accerating in 1st, 2nd

 

are the cv boots torn? i bet the sold you the wrong axles.

 

the axle boots arent torn, the previous axle i had was. its in perfect shape. my oem one that was on when i bought the car also sticks out about 1/8" from the tranny housing. the splines looked the same, so did the length. they both do move horizontally about a 1/4". is that normal? im used to playing with aircooled bugs with swingaxles, kinda new to the honda FF thing even though i had a gsr, sentra in the past

 

replace that rack end bushing first. it should be replaced regardless.

check the axle again while your in there.

if everything is good, then no worries. if it still clicks and what not, youll be able to replace that axle easy.

 

thanks for the reply tyson. i will have to check into those bushings. i wonder how much the prothane ones are

 

no no... this is not a poly replacement. it is a factory only part.

"rack end bushing" only 1, white plastic thingy at the end of the rack.

dont bother with poly anyway.

 

thanks, i have read mulitple posts on the bushing replacement and didnt figure that out. thanks again

 

cool, i found the 3 page rack bushing post. now i just need to jack my car up to see if i need the boots also before i order. thanks again

 

I have the same problem, is there a rack end bushing on each side? If so are those the only bushings I will need or are there others? I looked over a diagram at majestic honda and it looks like there are tons of bushings.

 

one bushing, search rack bushing, there is a 3 page post that should help you there. a lock washer is also recommended

 

alright I found it but one question that wasnt answered in the posts. it is on the right side (passenger) and at the end of the rack before the tie rod, but there is not one on the drivers end of the rack?

 

download the ef service manual look at section 11 page 7,8,and 9. the pinon assembly is on the left hand side, a couple inches from where the driver side tie rod would go. the passenger side one is all the way across from the pinon assembly and would be able to vibrate more which is why they put the bushing there (to stop the vibration and so it the rack can slide easily in the gearbox (see the pictures) it becomes somewhat self explanitory. well at least that is how i interpret it as. if i knew how to post images i would post them for you

 

Thats ok, tomorrow I will go to the honda dealership and pick up the bushing, your comments were great help, thanks.

 

only one bushing on the passenger end. thats the "long" end from the gearbox. you tighten the driver side by the gearbox nut.

http://www.honda.co.uk/owner/C...4.pdf

 

i took my steering rack out on saturday. i took it all apart. my bushing was perfect, just like new. i wanted to replace it but i didnt get the pinon dust seal to replace when its removed so i put it back together and greased the life out of everything. i have not noticed the vibration yet, i think it may have just been the steering box needed adjustment. im pissed though cause i almost destroyed both tie rod ball joint threads. it took me 7 hours because i was doing it myself and didnt want to break things. i really would recommend renting the ball joint remover tool kit that kragen has, not the pickle fork but it has a set of 4-5 tools for your front end. well worth the 100 deposit. the tie rod ball joints came off in seconds without worrying about damaging the threads. if i were to do it again, it would probably only take me an 2 hours for everything. i will keep you posted on if the vibration comes back again. i didnt use a torque wrench as it recommends, i just used a regular metric wrench and an adjustable wrench. it handles better it feels like. dont know if its the placebo effect or not, but i did make my rear oversteer making a right hand turn by my house. please dont lecture me about snap oversteer etc, i used to drive swing axle bugs and am okay with handling the oversteer issue. i practice on a roundabout by my house. i take it going 40 and try different methods; letting of gas, tapping brakes, trail braking, and taking it going 30-35 while keeping foot on gas (understeers more if i do this). all this and i have a worn out lowered suspension, the shocks are actually blown. its funny, cause i can leave cars behind in the corners even with my suspension, its all about knowing the limits of your car which im still learning. i have only had this car for about 6-7 months. thanks for the advice tyson, too bad it wasnt the bushing, but hey, the crx now seems to handle much better

 

how can you say the bushing was in new condition? ddi you check for play? visually, it would look just like new for decades.

and yeah, i think a lot of ppl can start to get rid of their steering rack play by adjusting the pinion gear box first.

 

i got my replacement axles like 3 months ago.. now when i turn left i hear that clicking , boots are not torn.... im pretty sure its the axles again tho... good thing i got lifetime warranty on them from autozone.... can someone help me confirm which side it is when it clicks when you turn left... im thinking its the passenger side... but dont remember off hand....

 

i checked for play there was almost none, barely anything. i think i have to adjust my steering box a little bit more. it still vibrates a little bit

 

theres no "barely anything" when it comes to play. either play is there or its not. if you can make your balljoints or rack move with the relatively small amount of force that your arms can muscle (compared to a moving 2400 lbs mass) then thats A LOT of play.