Acty Steering Safety: Rack Bushings, Boots & Tie‑Rod Upgrades

Your Honda Acty may feel like a go-kart on the street—but worn steering components can quickly turn that precision into play. Whether you're dealing with wandering on the highway, loose steering feel, or knocking over bumps, your steering rack and tie rods are likely due for attention. This post covers the essentials of steering rack bushings, boots, and tie-rod upgrades to restore safety and control in your kei truck or van.

🔧 Common Signs of Worn Steering Components

• Sloppy or delayed steering response

• Clunking or popping when turning

• Visible cracks or grease leaks from tie-rod boots

• Steering wheel doesn’t return to center smoothly

• Excessive play in the wheel, especially at speed

These issues are not just annoying—they're unsafe, especially in high-mileage or lifted Actys.

1. Steering Rack Bushings: The Hidden Cause of Slop

Your steering rack is mounted to the chassis with rubber bushings. Over time, these harden, crack, or tear, allowing the rack to shift under load.

Symptoms of bad bushings:

• “Floating” feeling at speed

• Steering shudder on rough roads

• Rack movement when turning the wheel (visible if watched while someone turns the wheel)

Upgrade Options:

• ✅ OEM replacement bushings – restore original feel

• ✅ Polyurethane bushings – stiffer, longer-lasting, ideal for performance builds

🛠️ Oiwa Tip: Use silicone grease to press in poly bushings, and always torque fasteners with the vehicle at ride height to avoid bushing preload.

2. Rack Boots: Keep Dirt Out & Grease In

Steering rack boots (also called bellows) protect the inner tie rods and rack gears from dirt, water, and road salt.

If your boots are:

• Cracked

• Torn

• Full of grit or grease leaking out

…it’s time to replace them. Leaving them damaged can lead to rack failure and expensive repairs.

Install tip: Use zip ties or stainless clamps to secure both ends, and pack a bit of fresh grease inside the new boots for smooth motion.

📦 Oiwa Garage stocks direct-fit boot kits for HA3/HA4/HH3/HH4 Acty models—no cutting or guesswork.

3. Tie-Rods: Control Starts Here

Your tie-rods connect the steering rack to the wheel hubs. They wear over time from turning forces, bumps, and alignment stress.

Inner tie rods:

• Rotate inside the rack

• Can develop slop or internal wear

• Must be replaced with rack boots removed

Outer tie rods:

• Ball-joint connection to knuckle

• Easy to check: lift the wheel and shake at 3 & 9 o’clock—any play = replace

Upgrade Options:

• ✅ OEM or OE-quality replacements – reliable for street or utility use

• ✅ Heavy-duty tie rods – thicker bodies and improved ball joints for lifted/off-road builds

• ✅ Adjustable rods – useful if running custom alignment specs or swapped front suspension

🔩 Oiwa Tip: Always get an alignment after replacing tie rods—improper toe settings can chew up tires quickly.

Bonus: Power Steering Considerations

(Some later vans had optional power steering.)

If your Acty has power steering and feels unusually heavy or noisy:

• Check fluid level and condition

• Inspect PS rack lines and pump for leaks

• Replace PS boots and filters if applicable

• Flush old ATF (many systems use Honda ATF-Z1 or DW-1)

Final Thoughts

Your steering system is your first connection to the road—and safety starts with precision. Whether you're restoring an older Acty or prepping one for off-road use, upgrading the rack bushings, boots, and tie rods will immediately improve your driving confidence and control.

At Oiwa Garage, we carry:

• ✅ Complete steering refresh kits

• ✅ Polyurethane bushing upgrades

• ✅ Inner & outer tie rods

• ✅ Boot kits & install tools