Do I really need offset rack bushings.

[6t8dart]

I need to replace the wallered our bushings on my rack, so now is the time to ask, stock rubber, poly, offset poly, solid, offset solid?

I have a MKIV with 95 mustang power rack, lower arms, and spindles. I have the FFR rack extensions, inner and outer tie rods.

[NukeMMC]

I originally had offset poly bushings. It was a royal PITA to move the rack/bushings. I ended up buying the Breeze offset aluminum bushings and have no regrets at all. Worth every penny and easy to install and adjust.

You may not NEED them you WANT them.

[6t8dart]

Ok, but breeze has offset and centered solid bushings, what is the design flaw that influences the design of the offset? Are we trying to move the rack to the side, or lower, or both?

[skullandbones]

It gives you adjustability for centering and moving the rack to improve bump steer if you experience that (the offset ones). So it is an easy way to add that into your setup by spending the money and a little more for the adjustability instead of just new replacement bushings.

WEK.

[edwardb]

Pre-Mk4's the steering rack mounting locations were slightly off center. My Mk3 was about 1/4 inch off. The Breeze bushings provided adjustability to exactly center the rack. Additionally, especially with Mustang spindles, they lower the rack and move it forward slightly giving some improvement to bump steer. FF centered the rack locations for the Mk4, and with the 2-piece FF spindles bump steer is basically eliminated. So in some cases the need for the bushings for bump steer is reduced. My current Mk4 (#7750) has PS with rack extenders, the Breeze bushings, and FF spindles. It has ZERO bump steer. Absolutely amazing. I've not driven the same setup without the solid bushings, so I can't say how much they contribute to this now. By moving the rack about 1/4 inch toward the front of the chassis, the bushings do reduce the steering rack boots dragging on the chassis, which some have had problems with. The poly bushings FF provides are pretty stiff, so I can't imagine the solid bushings change much there. Who knows. Bottom line, for my new build, I'm using them again. Already installed.

[CraigS]

FYI, on my MkI I had bought the offset poly bushings because I was afraid the aluminum would be too stiff. They were fine. When I switched to a power rack in my MkII, I found it had the aluminum offset bushings. I had been driving it for a month or so, so I thought, wow, wish I had done these on the MkI. On a MkIV w/ the advanced design, especially the spindles, you probably don't 'need' them. But they have some advantages and no negatives for me.