Ever since I had to replace my alternator, I've been wanting to get rid of my power steering pump. It gets in the way, looks ugly, and is starting to whine. I've looked into getting a rack and pinion system, but decided that I needed to make sure that I didn't already have one, due to conflicting results when I researched what my particular Z already had, coupled with the fact that I recently found out it had an engine swap before I bought it.


So here's the deal. It does in fact have a power steering pump attached to it (whether it be "power steering" or "power assisted" I'm not sure). It does NOT have a box mounted to the frame rail. It DOES use a couple U-joints, and has a round part (just underneath the heat shield for the master cyl.) that looks like it has its own heat shield.

It looks like the shaft would get in the way of any turbo that might end up in there, which is another thing that has me confused, I thought the rack and pinion were there to increase the room available for the turbo? (also leads me to confusion on whether or not I nave RP or RB)

As soon as I am able to solve this, I can do more research into converting it (if it is RP, to cap or connect the lines, or to swap in an RP if it is RB, or even find a manual rack).

That being said, has anyone tried the setup from an s30 chassis? Or would the wheelbase difference be too much?


Thanks for your responses in advance! I'll try to post pictures here shortly.


That being said, I couldn't find a comparison picture of the two anywhere! Nothing like the one for the r180 and the r200.

 

Whoa there...

I'm confused after reading your post...

To clarify, there are only 3 types of steering setups for the 280zx from the factory:
-79 base model manual rack (no power steering pump).
-79-81 recirculating ball (gear box) power steering.
-81T/82-83 rack & pinion power steering.

All turbo models (including the 81T) were fitted with the same power rack & pinion.

Someone had a recent thread about converting to manual rack...

Also, first Google-machine result:
Converting 280zx Recirculating Ball Power Steering to Power Rack and Pinion Steering - ZCAR.COM - Datsun : 240Z, 260Z, 280Z, 280ZX, 300ZX, 350Z, 370Z : Nissan

Lastly, for turbo swaps, it is easier & more beneficial to just swap in the rack & pinion, but you can also cut the turbocharger wastegate mount to fit snug against the recirc gear box (not the best solution).

 

Actually, I read that thread earlier this morning. That's what got me back onto the subject.

Pics as promised.





again, the PO had apparently done an engine swap that I didn't know about untill a few months ago when I was checking the head/block numbers, wondering what else was done.

 

The biggest part that bugs me is that my 79' is a GL model, but I don't believe that this is an RB style steering.

 

Can you attach those pics into your post? My work effin' blocks photobucket pics...

 

How's that?

 

Looks like a normal rack & pinion setup to me.

 

normal as in powered? It has a belt driven PS pump that I didn't take a pic of.

 

If there are hydraulic lines going from the power steering pump to the rack... then it's a power steering rack...

What is your question / doubt again?

 

Well, considering it's a 79 NA GL,and I recently found out that it had an engine swap by the PO, I was wondering what else had been done to it, and this came up when I was researching doing a turbo swap. Seeing as its a rack and pinion (thanks for confirming, btw) that's one less thing I would need to get. I'm also interested in depowering it. I don't do a whole lot of low speed maneuvers and have driven manual steering cars before without a problem. The current pump is starting to whine when I turn the wheel and looks pretty beat up. Removing it should reduce parasitic drag on the engine as well as clean up the front of the engine a bit more.

 

Hurm... have you tried doing a slow turn with the motor off? Give it a try (not in traffic). Manual racks have a quicker ratio than power racks, thus they are still easy to steer. Unless you are Jack Armstrong, 2 minutes of city driving with no power steering will wear you out. Same idea as brakes with no booster...

Also, PS pumps groan when they are low on fluid... have you checked your fluild level and color?

EDIT... several people (like PPK I believe) have converted power racks to manual racks. You have to chop them up.

 

The fluid is full and red. Also, PS racks without power are much easier to use while moving (in my experience). Unfortunately, I don't have a welder to put a chopped up rack back together.

 

Welding a chopped up rack????

 

PPK's Projecto:

https://www.facebook.com/#!/photo.ph...type=3&theater

 

Apparently I need to friend PPK before I can see it. :/ that or it doesn't like my phone.

And evandubya, I had assumed (yeah, I know the saying) that when nismo had said "you have to chop it up" that I would then have to put it back together, usually this includes a welder, which would make many of my projects wayyyy easier.

 

I'm not understanding what going on. You cut the rack down to shorten it up, then weld the end back on?