Spongy steering? | Optimized steering rack bushings - FlexSteering-Kit

🔄 Steering wheel crooked after every corner?

You know the feeling: you turn off, drive straight again – and suddenly the steering wheel sits crooked. Only a short, sharp counter-steer straightens it out. On top of that, a spongy steering feel and noticeable steering play?

That is not a problem with your tie rods or your steering rack – it's the worn rubber bushings of the steering rack mounts. Once they're worn out, the steering rack has almost 10 mm of axial play and shifts back and forth with every steering input. Our FlexSteering-Kit solves exactly that. 🔧🫶

✅ Highlights

• Completely redesigned bushings for the steering rack mounts, left & right
• Noticeably tighter, more direct steering – even compared to new original bushings
• No more wandering steering wheel after corners
• Available in two variants: Street (always fits) and Race (virtually play-free) – more under Tech
• Over 3 years of development – many different prototypes tested in our own car

⚙️ Tech – which variant is right for you?

Honestly: over the years we developed both bushing concepts so far that in the end we couldn't decide ourselves which one should make it into the range. Both have clear strengths – so we offer both and you decide what suits you and your car:

Street variant (flexible):
Left bushing made of flexible, carbon-fibre-reinforced high-performance plastic. Automatically compensates for the production tolerances of the steering racks – always fits, no fitting work needed. Good to know: an elastically mounted steering system always has a minimum of compliance by design – that's physics, not a defect. If you want it maximally tight, you need the rigid bushing. For most cars and drivers, Street is our clear recommendation.

Race variant (rigid, two-piece):
Left bushing made of dimensionally stable nylon, two-piece for installation. Virtually play-free, maximally direct steering feel, higher temperature resistance. We matched the fit to the production tolerance based on many measurements of steering racks from the community – as a rule it fits very well. There can, however, be exceptions where your steering rack deviates from the production tolerance and individual fitting work is needed. If you don't want to do any fitting work or are unsure, go for the Street variant – it's guaranteed to fit.

By the way: the right bushing only guides the steering rack radially – no axial steering forces act there. That's why it's made of flexible plastic in both variants.

📦 Scope of delivery

1x bushing left (depending on variant: Street flexible / Race rigid, two-piece)
1x bushing right

🚗 Fits (SMI steering racks only!)

Renault Clio A (Phase 1, 2 & 3)
Renault 19
Renault 21 & 21 Nevada
Renault 25
Renault 5 – please see note below!
Renault Espace 1
Renault Rapid
Renault Spider
Alpine

Replaces: Renault 7700662571 (left bushing) & Renault 7700778304 (right bushing)

⚠️ Important notes

• Installation: Replacing the bushings is demanding. As an inexperienced mechanic, allow around 3 hours. Installation must be carried out properly – the steering is a safety-relevant component.
• Race variant: Fitting work may be needed (removing material). If that feels too tricky, choose the Street variant.
• Renault 5: The exhaust manifold sits very close to the right-hand mounting point – there is no factory heat shield there. Without a retrofitted heat shield or manifold insulation, the right bushing can be thermally overloaded. Alternatively, you can keep the original bushing on the right and only upgrade the left side to our bushing.
• Fits SMI steering racks only – if in doubt, just ask us, we're happy to help.
• NOT original equipment.

🤝 Community
This kit was born out of real frustration – many prototypes, countless installs and removals on our own car, many test drives, until the steering is the way it should have been from the factory. Thanks to everyone in the community who sent us measurements of their steering racks and tested the first kits! 🙏

👉 keep legends young.