Alloy Steering Spacers

[Dean_HR31]

Hey guys,

Going to be buying the rack end spacers for more lock and thought i might aswell grab the alloy steering spacers aswell while im at it - http://www.gktech.com.au/products/index.asp?ID=159

Anybody have these fitted to their car? Are they worth buying? How do they alter the cars handling/steering exactly?

Just want to basically know if they are something to stay away from or even a must to buy...

Thanks

[1400r]

very worth buying

for r32 s13 a31 etc

s14 dont have them R33's not sure

so depends on what car you have

[nisskid]

they give u more steering lock, they dont change the handling in any other way, worth buying if u drift.

[Habler]

I think your talking about the rack spacers Nisskid. He is talking about just replacing the factory rubber steering joint with a solid alloy one. It won't change lock.

[Dean_HR31]

I think your talking about the rack spacers Nisskid. He is talking about just replacing the factory rubber steering joint with a solid alloy one. It won't change lock.

Yep, thats right.

Soooo.... should i or should i...? What do i get out of em??

[Habler]

It just stiffens up the loose feeling through the steering wheel due to old worn out rubber mounts giving a more direct steering feel. I know people have done it and could feel a difference (in old S13's) so for the price its probably not too bad to freshen up the steering but apparently its a shit job putting it in unless you have the gearbox or motor out. Doable, just a shit job.

[Dean_HR31]

Ahhk... if its a sh*t job to do dont think ill do it...

Any idea what the labour would cost to get it done or the amount of time it would take?? What needs to be taken out exactly to replace em?

[Habler]

Hmm hard to answer. If they know what they are doing I don't see why they couldn't get it done within the hour ($80) but if they put the apprentice on it could end up costing you more.

Unless your installing it yourself it starts to seem like a lot of money to just take a bit of slop out of the steering.

[nisskid]

I think your talking about the rack spacers Nisskid. He is talking about just replacing the factory rubber steering joint with a solid alloy one. It won't change lock.

lol oops, i just saw the link to GKtech and knew he sells them.

they basically replace the standard rubber item with a metal one, so u increase the response and get rid of a bit of play in the steering.

[Omurru]

I have one of these sitting on my desk at the moment, will put it in one day after work this week and let you know how I go.

[Omurru]

Put the spacer in my car today, on a scale of 1-10 of difficulty i'd go with a solid 9, (10 means I had to break out the angle grinder and cut stuff off). I'm an aircraft mechanic by trade so I like to think I know my way around nuts and bolts as well. Appart from the fact it's in a flamin mongrel of a spot and unless you got skinny little arms like me you'll have to do it all from the bottom, the nuts are done up god damn tight. I undid the two bolts with their heads towards the firewall and undid the spline where it goes into the rack uni so I could take the whole shaft out and do the other two bolts out of the car. It would probably be slightly easier to do from under the car as there is a little more access, you do need to get someone to hold the steering wheel though while your undoing and doingup stuff cos the lock on the 32 only engages when the wheel is straight....kinda gay. Oh and to crack the nuts stick a ring spanner on the nuts, hold it and get someone to turn the steering wheel

[Habler]

ahahah... sounds like I was on the money.

So worth the effort?

Edited June 2, 2009 by gunmetalgrey

[boostn32]

worth the effort, and Omurru you got the good spacer, the one you have is the proper designed one,

they are not that hard to do, just have to be willing to stretch the arms and have some muscle to get them out.

i have replaced quite a few of these with the spacers i make.

[Omurru]

they are not that hard to do, just have to be willing to stretch the arms and have some muscle to get them out.

unless you got skinny little arms like me

lol maybe thats my problem Haven't driven the car yet but will see how we go.

And lol at this forum changing words ( I didn't write flamin mongrel above )

[Duncan]

flaming oath you must have!

these solid mounts make a huge (noticeable) feel to steering response. A+++ would buy again.

easy to do when the motor is out. an utter bastard to do when the motor is in - give it to an unsuspecting mechanic to do

[_Ryan_]

Do these effect the steering column collapsing in an accident?

[Gts-t]

Where is the best place to buy a quality one of these spacers, do u make them boostn?

[Duncan]

absolutely nfi ryan - how/where does the standard column collapse? I assume not because its just replacing a rubber bush with alloy but I don't know for sure

[boostn32]

Gts30t yes i do make them. i have pm'd you anyone else requiring one just shoot me a pm

[alex1991s]

very worth buying

for r32 s13 a31 etc

s14 dont have them R33's not sure

so depends on what car you have

Does anyone know if 33's have them or not?