[cbsevenfiftyk]

So I just got this car and noticed it sorta had sloppy handling. when going over speed bumps at and angle the wheel jerks side to side. being a mechanic I racked the car at work and checked all the usually suspects.... axles binding, compliance bushing in front LCA, alignment issues... everything checked out perfect! Then I checked the PS rack... I had someone jerk the wheel with the engine off back and forth with I observed the PS rack... and the rack moved 2in. also when driving in the rain at freeway speeds I noticed a dead wheel feeling when the car goes over puddles. I looked it up and sure enough there is 3 bushings for the PS rack that can cause this problem. This thing has typical BUMP STEER. I did a search and it seems a lot of people live with this condition. specially as these V6 Acura cars/ mdx get older these bushings go bad and cause sloppy steering. all my tie rods are tight along with front struts and top plates and ball joints.


53436-S3V-A01 ps rack bushings clamp type with a slit
53685-S3V-A01 ps rack bushings- needs 2 small cylinder type bushings.


it takes about 3 hrs for the job with decent set of tools. I will report back when I pull the rack.

 

[cbsevenfiftyk]

*UPDATE*


So I replaced the PS rack bushings and I found the clamp bushing was badly distorted and mushy. I didn't see any signs of oil leaks in that area. So my conclusion would be that just age and mileage caused the failure. After replacing the PS rack bushings and having the car aligned the steering feel is improved greatly and its very responsive. The bump steer is very minimal a normal amount is present now.


for about $25 in parts and some PS fluid and about 4hrs worth of your time it was a HUGE improvement. The steering is like NEW again.


I had the chance to test it out in the rain and when the tires went over puddles in the road instead of feeling like I "floated" over the puddle (hydroplane) it felt much more planted and solid no more mushy dead zone in the steering.

 

[cbsevenfiftyk]

145k Miles

 

[cbsevenfiftyk]

I would of had it done in about 2.5hrs or less if I had a lift. but having my non mechanic neighbor help me (I have a hurt back) and I did it with jack stands in the driveway it took me 4hrs. BOOK time is 3.5 its really not that bad. just have to take some short cuts like using the seatbelt to hold the steering wheel while you remove the steering u-joint. stuff like that really helps. I also took the time to flush PS fluid and then have the car aligned when it was done. HUGE difference feels like a new car