FF03 Bearing Centred Steering Rack

This part replaces the kit part K16 and has the advatages of using bearings instead of bushings, and also it centres the ball studs for more linear steering response and less bumpsteer. 

To install, firstly clean out the bearing bores with an exacto knife to make sure the inner shoulder to press the bearings against are clean and square. 

You will need:
2 x 730 bearings
2 x Turnbuckles 3x38
2 x 2mm spacers from the 53539 5.5mm spacer set
2 x M3 x 10 button head screws 

Remove the kit K16 part. Press the 730 bearings into the new steering rack. Use an M3 thread forming tool to form a thread in the centre holes on the new rack. Remove the ball studs from K16 and reinstall in the centre of the new rack. The spacing is designed to allow the new generation of oversized TRF open adjusters to fit, but you can reuse the kit adjusters too. Take the 3x23 turnbuckles out of the kit steering arms, and install the adjusters onto your new 3 x 38mm turnbuckles. If you are running the kit 1XD narrow front blocks you will need to aim for around 24mm between the inner edges of the adjusters, but you can recheck your toe out once it's all installed. If you use wider front suspension blocks you may need a 3 x 42mm turnbuckle, or use the 54527 long reinforced adjusters like I did (see photos)

Place the 2mm spacers between the bearings and the steering arms, and screw together using the M3 x 10 screws.

You will need to modify your tub slightly to get clearance to the new centred arms. You can see in picture 4 I have cut an angled corner off my tub. 

Now install the steering arms to the centre ball studs and the steering knuckles and reassemble the car. Check you toe and camber settings and adjust to suit.