Zero Decibel Motorsports Steering Rack Mount

[Mechie3]

Zero Decibel Motorsports Steering Rack Mount

http://zerodecibelmotorsports.com/media/2015/01/Steering-Rack-Bracket.jpg

What:
Billet CNC Steering Rack Mount

Why:
The bracket that ships with the kit is a steel piece with a small contact area that mounts next to the bushing. The top of the bushing is supported by the OEM bracket held up with standoffs with no direct support underneath. This bracket cradles the entire bushing area just like the original OEM configuration. This version has been cored out to save weight and look nicer.

Cost:
5-9 people: $45
10+ people: $35


Shipping
Fits in a small flate rate box for $5.95. Also can be combined with other items in a larger box

Includes
1 Billet CNC Mount

Minimum 5 people are needed in order for anyone to get parts. Pricing is based on the discounts I recieve by ordering in bulk being passed onto you.

1. LongislandWRX
2. TX Lou
3. FFRSpec72
4. Nismo_rb25
5. Joseph

[longislandwrx]

put me on the list, I'm in no hurry, so I can wait until you get 10/15 orders

[TX-Lou]

I'll take one as well. I'm in no hurry either.

[RetroRacing]

Where were you 6 months ago, when I was fabing one up out of a muffler clamp! Great job, love the work you put into it.

[Mechie3]

Well, I put in an order with Shop A 9 months ago. Still no parts, finally got him to admit in writing he owes me money (though he claims it's for less than what it is). Shop B and Shop C wanted $55+ per part (leaving me selling it at cost). Shop D (the shop that laser cuts my brackets) just got a 3 axis CNC and they quoted prices higher than Shop A, but lower than Shop B and C letting me make a little.

:D

[Mechie3]

Bumping this up. I took another look at the pricing and reduced the cost by a bit (was $60, now $45) to see if there is more interest at that price point. It's getting close to breaking even at that point so it won't go lower than that. It'd be something nice to add to my inventory though.

[FFRSpec72]

Bumping this up. I took another look at the pricing and reduced the cost by a bit (was $60, now $45) to see if there is more interest at that price point. It's getting close to breaking even at that point so it won't go lower than that. It'd be something nice to add to my inventory though.

I'm interested in this

[NISMO_RB25]

Count me in for one.

[Joseph]

Count me in for one. I am in no hurry.

[Mechie3]

Order placed. Got extras to add to inventory for future orders if someone still wants in.

[SnyderJD]

Count me in.

[Blwalker105]

I'm in Craig.

[Mechie3]

Got a call that parts are ready for pickup.

[FFRSpec72]

Got a call that parts are ready for pickup.

Money sent

[Joseph]

Got a call that parts are ready for pickup.

money sent

[Mechie3]

Hindsight informed that when he sold some steering rack mounts that people with older racks indicated that the rack was 1/4" too low so he had to make spacers. I included spacers in the boxes that shipped out this weekend. I checked my manual and it doesn't list 02-05 or 06+ as having different part numbers or spacers so I half wonder if the racks are really different on that side or if the FFR parts are off and it was never noticed until aftermarket parts were put on.

[STiPWRD]

Hindsight informed that when he sold some steering rack mounts that people with older racks indicated that the rack was 1/4" too low so he had to make spacers. I included spacers in the boxes that shipped out this weekend. I checked my manual and it doesn't list 02-05 or 06+ as having different part numbers or spacers so I half wonder if the racks are really different on that side or if the FFR parts are off and it was never noticed until aftermarket parts were put on.
That was me.
http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?17022-Moonlight-Performance-steering-rack-brackets&p=197211&viewfull=1#post197211

All I know is that my 02 rack was level with the FFR mounts, then became offset with Hindsight's rack mount, and was fixed with that 1/4 shim.

[Pearldrummer7]

Nice carbon fiber back drop.

[Mechie3]

That was me.
http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?17022-Moonlight-Performance-steering-rack-brackets&p=197211&viewfull=1#post197211

All I know is that my 02 rack was level with the FFR mounts, then became offset with Hindsight's rack mount, and was fixed with that 1/4 shim.

I'll have to see how mine comes out. I did have two revisions. The first one matched the FFR setup in CAD in terms of heights, etc, but when measured seemed too high so I lowered it. FFR did make a revision at one point to their steering rack bracket that was supposed to address diameter issues (diameter was too small on the first rev version they sent me) not sure if it changed height as well.

[Mechie3]

Nice carbon fiber back drop.

That's actually the old photo taken on a cured carbon sheet with a cell phone. This is the one taken last night with a real camera on carbon cloth in my makeshift light box studio.

http://i.imgur.com/krEtoLO.png

[FFRSpec72]

Do I assume that the stock rubber bushing is still used with this mount ?

[longislandwrx]

what's the price? can you set aside one for me and ship it together when the bell crank is available? I can prepay if you want, or just pay for everything when everything is ready.

[Mechie3]

Tony, yes. Still uses the rubber bushing and the top metal cap/band.

Long island, it's $45. I can ship with the bell crank.

[FFRSpec72]

Tony, yes. Still uses the rubber bushing and the top metal cap/band.

The bushing is flat on the bottom and your bracket is round, they don't go well together

[Mechie3]

What side are you putting it on? It should go on the passenger side. The driver side bushing is square all around, the passenger side bushing on the 05+ racks are round all over, the 02-04 has one all square bushing and one 1/2 square 1/2 round bushing.


https://res.cloudinary.com/rallysport/image/private/s--gupBNp-i--/f_auto,t_auto_rsd_product/v1436909692/product_images/whi_ksr202_1

STIpwrd installed hindsights version of this bracket on his 02 rack so he might have more insight as to what he did. I had an individual test my bracket on an 02 though that person sold their unfinished 818 and moved to Costa Rica so no chance of getting more feedback from him. Do I have the shape of the top clamping piece flipped in my head? I'll make sure we get this fixed.

http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=41668&d=1430768651

[STiPWRD]

Tony has a point about the 1/2 square 1/2 round bushing. You can see in the photo above, I've got Hindsight's mount squeezing around the bottom flat side of the bushing. Personally it's not an issue for me since the steering rack feels solidly fixed and doesn't experience the same range of motion that the other components with bushings do (such as the links) - it's more or less fixed with the bushings providing vibration and shock isolation rather than conformance. Also, the steering rack bushings are much thinner than most other bushings in the car and after driving around a bit, the steering feels fine. In a racing application you'd probably want round bushings just to be safe.

[Mechie3]

Tony, if you flip the bushing around does the top round part fit in the cradle? If it does, I can machine you a clamp for the top to fit with the square portion of the bushing, I just need to get some measurements off a square one.

[Hindsight]

I'm getting confused.... the old-style bushing pictured above is square both inside and outside, yet the steering rack is round on the passenger side there. Wouldn't the older style racks take a square bushing on the driver's side and a round one on the passenger side? How did a square bushing ever work on the round tube on the passenger side?

[Mechie3]

FFR's setup has their lower bracket clamped to the side of the bushing directly onto the rack. The bushing itself is only supported by the OEM clamping piece and the other side of the busing just sits on the frame member. The bushing on the right in the photo is the passenger side one. Round inside, square outside on 1/2 of the bushing.

[STiPWRD]

the old-style bushing pictured above is square both inside and outside,yet the steering rack is round on the passenger side there
On the 02-03 rack the driver side bushing is square inside and out, the passenger side is round inside and 1/2 round 1/2 square outside.

[Hindsight]

Ahhhhhh ok that makes sense.

So if you wanted it perfect, you could use Mechie's (or my mount if you bought one back when I had them), and then use the fully round passenger side bushing + round top bracket from the later model years. The clamp is cheap ~$5 34166FE050. Doesn't look like Subaru sells the bushing and if they do, it doesn't show up in the same parts diagram page as the rack and clamp, but they are available aftermarket (http://www.partsgeek.com/gbproducts/WC/18998-01057605.html)

[Mechie3]

Think I found it:

06 Style Bushing:
ADAPTER GEAR BOX PIPE
Make: Subaru | Part#: 34115FE020
List Price: $10.43
Your Price: $7.76

06 Style Clamp:
CLAMP GEAR BOX PIPE
Make: Subaru | Part#: 34166FE060
List Price: $6.50
Your Price: $4.84


Tony, it's up to you. I can either order those parts and have them shipped to you (round bushing + round clamp) or I have a friend with an 02 style bushing he can loan me. I can take some measurements and machined a square style top cap so that you can flip your oem bushing so the round bottom of the bushing matches the round of the lower mount and the new square top piece matches the square side of the bushing.

[FFRSpec72]

Tony, it's up to you. I can either order those parts and have them shipped to you (round bushing + round clamp) or I have a friend with an 02 style bushing he can loan me. I can take some measurements and machined a square style top cap so that you can flip your oem bushing so the round bottom of the bushing matches the round of the lower mount and the new square top piece matches the square side of the bushing.

I will order parts and let you know if it works out, thanks for the excellent support and finding solutions to try.

[longislandwrx]

Correct, 05+ (including my sti rack) use the 34115FE020 bushing and the round clamp 34166FE060
50570

50571

[craigfree]

Did you already place the order, too late to add one more?

[flynntuna]

If still taking orders please add me too.

[Mechie3]

Group buy closed end of January, but it's close enough that I'll still honor the group buy price for another week. I ordered a handful of extras to stock my inventory shelves. If you'd like one just PM me or email me. Please note the above talks about the 06 style bushing/clamp vs the 02-04 clamp and bushing.

[FFRSpec72]

Think I found it:

06 Style Bushing:
ADAPTER GEAR BOX PIPE
Make: Subaru | Part#: 34115FE020
List Price: $10.43
Your Price: $7.76

06 Style Clamp:
CLAMP GEAR BOX PIPE
Make: Subaru | Part#: 34166FE060
List Price: $6.50
Your Price: $4.84


Tony, it's up to you. I can either order those parts and have them shipped to you (round bushing + round clamp) or I have a friend with an 02 style bushing he can loan me. I can take some measurements and machined a square style top cap so that you can flip your oem bushing so the round bottom of the bushing matches the round of the lower mount and the new square top piece matches the square side of the bushing.

I got the parts, installed last night, bushing fits much better ! Steering rack still looks a little cocked ?

51005 51006

[Mechie3]

Do you have the 1/4" spacers I sent? If not I'll send you another set.

[FFRSpec72]

Do you have the 1/4" spacers I sent? If not I'll send you another set.

I have them but if I use them that would make the passenger side even more cocked (as it would raise the passenger side even more)

[Mechie3]

Can they be used on the driver side, or do you need a completely flat 1 piece spacer?

[FFRSpec72]

Can they be used on the driver side, or do you need a completely flat 1 piece spacer?

So looks like I have to raise the driver side by 1/4" or so, I'm not sure the spacers you sent provide enough support as I need to raise the driver side which means I need full support underneath, I will try the spacers to see if they fix the problem if they do then I think the flat 1 piece would be the proper fix.

[Mechie3]

Can you get me dimensions of the hole spacing? ? I no longer have a spare 02 rack on hand. The cnc is pretty busy during the week but I come in on weekends now and run a bunch of protoype parts all at once.

Edit: I think the actual bolt to bolt spacing is the same. I can measure my rack and make one based off of that.

[THE FURNACE]

I'll take one too, even if I miss the group buy. I'm in no rush, and can wait for hinge, bell crank and spacer to be shipped together if possible.

[FFRSpec72]

Can you get me dimensions of the hole spacing? ? I no longer have a spare 02 rack on hand. The cnc is pretty busy during the week but I come in on weekends now and run a bunch of protoype parts all at once.

Edit: I think the actual bolt to bolt spacing is the same. I can measure my rack and make one based off of that.

So I measured today, your bracket is 1.27" tall the drivers side FFR spacer is 1.10", if the FFR frame brackets are welded equally then I either need a bracket mount that 1.10" tall or a spacer for the drivers side that is .17" tall. Getting a spacer in the drivers side may be a pain as it's close already, I will try some washers today to see if that is going to work

[Mechie3]

I see the 1.27" dimension, where are you getting the 1.10" dimension from? I one I got from FFR is 1.68" tall, though the upper height is a bit irrelevant as the FFR bracket doesn't attach to the upper clamp. I think that mounting surface to rack center is a more important dimension. The first bracket I made copied that dimension and was too tall. I made the new ones (the ones you have) .125" shorter to get my rack even left to right. I actually had two of the FFR brackets, but neither one would fit around my steering rack.

If you need one that is .17 shorter I can face one off here and send it to you. Worst case I machine a new one.

[FFRSpec72]

I see the 1.27" dimension, where are you getting the 1.10" dimension from? I one I got from FFR is 1.68" tall, though the upper height is a bit irrelevant as the FFR bracket doesn't attach to the upper clamp. I think that mounting surface to rack center is a more important dimension. The first bracket I made copied that dimension and was too tall. I made the new ones (the ones you have) .125" shorter to get my rack even left to right. I actually had two of the FFR brackets, but neither one would fit around my steering rack.

If you need one that is .17 shorter I can face one off here and send it to you. Worst case I machine a new one.

The FFR spacer that I got for the drivers side is 1.10" tall, and works perfect as the bushing is not squished and there is no space from rack to frame. Your mount is 1.27 which puts my rack at a angle, the stock FFR spacer is 1.12 for the passenger side which is acceptable, the only part I did not like is that the rack is resting on metal not on the bushing

The passenger side can't be shimmed up as it will hit the frame, so the only fix would be to have a different height mount, I certainly don't want you to go through the expense of creating another mount. So I put back the original mount.

The left is your mount, the right is the stock mount

51137 51138

[Mechie3]

I'll make you another one Tony. I can make anything I want at work, just can't sell it for profit. I have a ton of aluminum so all it will cost for me is time.

[Mechie3]

I analyzed just decking an existing one down to 1.12 and it still has a very good factor of safety. I'm already stopping by the post office so I'll drop this off too.
http://i.imgur.com/L0z8eST.jpg

[FFRSpec72]

I analyzed just decking an existing one down to 1.12 and it still has a very good factor of safety. I'm already stopping by the post office so I'll drop this off too.


What do I owe you as I did not intend this to be a one off project ? I really appreciate the service that you give to your customers, I wish others were like you as you are one of the best to deal with !

[Mechie3]

What do I owe you as I did not intend this to be a one off project ? I really appreciate the service that you give to your customers, I wish others were like you as you are one of the best to deal with !

Nothing. :) Didn't take that long anyways. I look at it from the opposite end of it's not a one off, I sold a part that didn't work. Sure, you're not paying labor to install it, but your time is a limited resource. You could have installed something else and not fussed with this three times and bought additional bushings and clamps to make it fit.


It's kind of hidden on the "how to order" but in my return policy I have this

"Don’t you hate it when you buy a part that touts its life changing and sandwich making capabilities only to find out that the “professional installation recommended” tag line really means “yeah, this part isn’t ever going to fit unless you’re capable of redesigning it and remaking it from scratch”?

I do.

One thing I try to do is not to be the thing I dislike. "

I dislike it when people sell parts that aren't even close and then put their hands up to say "not my problem" or when they sell used parts that are junk (like craigslist saying "minor damage" and the car was rolled). Making sure parts fit should be part of the job, part of making sure your name stays clean, should be the norm, not the exception.

Edit: I also wouldn't make something one off and expect someone to pay for it without first getting a go ahead.

[FFRSpec72]

Craig, tanks much for making this right, I installed (hopefully for the last time) the new mount and all looks great (as they both measure the same distance now). The old mount and spacers are being shipped back to you tomorrow.

51338

[bbjones121]

Hey Craig, Did you get my payment for one of these? I am almost to the reassembly phase that I need it. Thanks, Paul

[Mechie3]

I did. I have it ready. Plan to ship out all outstanding orders this weekend.

[bbjones121]

Thanks Craig