Z31 steering rack help - Zilvia.net Forums | Nissan 240SX (Silvia) and Z (Fairlady) Car Forum

devnull · 02-28-2009, 06:46 PM

My parents have a '86 Z that's a part-time rebuild project. The suspension is complete except for a problem with the steering rack bushings. The old set was worn out enough to warrant replacement, so we ordered a set of poly rack bushings from z31parts.com.

As it stands, the steering rack is able to shift itself left to right nearly a half-inch. It mostly happens at very low speed but it can happen on moderate corners at highway speed.

Assuming we can't order the original bushings from Nissan, we're considering either adding shimming/bolstering to the steering rack clamps or finding some solid bushing inserts.

Any helpful word would be appreciated.

Thanks.

Racinjitter · 03-01-2009, 12:56 PM

Have you sent an email to Jason about this? There is a thread about the concerns about the rack movement. Gary and Jason have worked very hard to provide the ultimate in customer service. Here is a link... Z31Performance.com • View topic - poly steering rack bushings ETA??

devnull · 03-02-2009, 09:38 PM

Thanks for the link. I had sent an email about a week ago but got no reply.

I ordered a pair of Nissan rack bushings earlier today.

Blackfull · 06-29-2009, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by devnull

My parents have a '86 Z that's a part-time rebuild project. The suspension is complete except for a problem with the steering rack bushings. The old set was worn out enough to warrant replacement, so we ordered a set of poly rack bushings from z31parts.com.

As it stands, the steering rack is able to shift itself left to right nearly a half-inch. It mostly happens at very low speed but it can happen on moderate corners at highway speed.

Assuming we can't order the original bushings from Nissan, we're considering either adding shimming/bolstering to the steering rack clamps or finding some solid bushing inserts.

Any helpful word would be appreciated.

Thanks.

Yea you should contact onlinezstore. the site is thezstore.com its has all you need , an they have an zshow every year in orange ca. I went to the show this year its was nice . i own an 87 300zx myself an working on it as well . replace in outer tie rod,control arm brushing, sway bar brushing,tension rod brushing, lot of work but you learn an lot about your z. Also you can check out BlackDragon auto.com. an get an catalog so you can see .
ok hope that help you . out . take care an good luck , if you have any question feel free to ask, if can help no problem.

jerry

devnull · 07-01-2009, 02:57 PM

Thanks for your help. We've already bought a number of parts from black dragon and they just don't have the clamps. Will check out thezstore.

Racinjitter · 07-01-2009, 03:02 PM

The clamps you are looking for are NLA. Nobody reproduces them. You will have to find some that are used or at a pick and pull scrapyard. Your best bet is to put up a WTB ad on the z31 forums.

Marc E Lawrence · 07-08-2009, 07:39 PM

I bought new Nissan bushings ($100). Did the same thing. Did you rebuild your suspension, i.e. new ball joints, tie rod ends? I had completely rebuilt the front end, shocks, bushings etc. Unfortunately my 85T is not running (2 years). So I can't remember if it went away or not. I think it did. And I attributed the slippage to stiff new parts causing the rack to move no matter how tight I tightened the clamps. I also thought there might be a slight difference in the diameter of the rebuilt rack I purchased but I had returned the old core (original rack) so I couldn't check to see. Sorry if this is no help but I do believe the slippage subsided with breaking in. But it sure was an uncomfortable feeling.

vagabond · 09-08-2009, 12:20 PM

Like a lot of people with NA I had this problem.

The 87 had a thinner rack bracket on the driver side. There was play with the Nissan bushing and the MFP poly bushing.

Since I already had an extra turbo rack, I ordered Turbo Bracket Bolts and a Turbo Bracket.

The part for the bracket has been superseded and is the same as the thin bracket on my NA.

I scored a early model turbo bracket on the forum, swapped to a turbo rack and installed the poly bushings. When torque down there is zero rack movement.

Not good.

02-28-2009, 06:46 PM	#1
devnull Zilvia Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Earth Posts: 222 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Z31 steering rack help My parents have a '86 Z that's a part-time rebuild project. The suspension is complete except for a problem with the steering rack bushings. The old set was worn out enough to warrant replacement, so we ordered a set of poly rack bushings from z31parts.com. As it stands, the steering rack is able to shift itself left to right nearly a half-inch. It mostly happens at very low speed but it can happen on moderate corners at highway speed. Assuming we can't order the original bushings from Nissan, we're considering either adding shimming/bolstering to the steering rack clamps or finding some solid bushing inserts. Any helpful word would be appreciated. Thanks.

03-01-2009, 12:56 PM	#2
Racinjitter Leaky Injector Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Mt. Clemens, Mi Age: 40 Posts: 92 Trader Rating: (5) Feedback Score: 5 reviews	Have you sent an email to Jason about this? There is a thread about the concerns about the rack movement. Gary and Jason have worked very hard to provide the ultimate in customer service. Here is a link... Z31Performance.com • View topic - poly steering rack bushings ETA?? __________________

07-01-2009, 03:02 PM	#6
Racinjitter Leaky Injector Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Mt. Clemens, Mi Age: 40 Posts: 92 Trader Rating: (5) Feedback Score: 5 reviews	The clamps you are looking for are NLA. Nobody reproduces them. You will have to find some that are used or at a pick and pull scrapyard. Your best bet is to put up a WTB ad on the z31 forums. __________________

07-08-2009, 07:39 PM	#7
Marc E Lawrence Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Stockton, Ca. Posts: 17 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Been there done that I bought new Nissan bushings ($100). Did the same thing. Did you rebuild your suspension, i.e. new ball joints, tie rod ends? I had completely rebuilt the front end, shocks, bushings etc. Unfortunately my 85T is not running (2 years). So I can't remember if it went away or not. I think it did. And I attributed the slippage to stiff new parts causing the rack to move no matter how tight I tightened the clamps. I also thought there might be a slight difference in the diameter of the rebuilt rack I purchased but I had returned the old core (original rack) so I couldn't check to see. Sorry if this is no help but I do believe the slippage subsided with breaking in. But it sure was an uncomfortable feeling.

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03-02-2009, 09:38 PM	#3
devnull Zilvia Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Earth Posts: 222 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Thanks for the link. I had sent an email about a week ago but got no reply. I ordered a pair of Nissan rack bushings earlier today.

07-01-2009, 02:57 PM	#5
devnull Zilvia Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Earth Posts: 222 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Thanks for your help. We've already bought a number of parts from black dragon and they just don't have the clamps. Will check out thezstore.

09-08-2009, 12:20 PM	#8
vagabond Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Middletown, Ct Age: 39 Posts: 18 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Like a lot of people with NA I had this problem. The 87 had a thinner rack bracket on the driver side. There was play with the Nissan bushing and the MFP poly bushing. Since I already had an extra turbo rack, I ordered Turbo Bracket Bolts and a Turbo Bracket. The part for the bracket has been superseded and is the same as the thin bracket on my NA. I scored a early model turbo bracket on the forum, swapped to a turbo rack and installed the poly bushings. When torque down there is zero rack movement. Not good.