1994 Q45 Steering Rack Replacement

[hst]

I just picked my first Q45, a 1994 with 170,000 on her. But she has a leaking steering rack . Is there anything trick that I should know about replacing it?? I have do the job on a few BMW's in the past with little to no issues. A few questions??:Can I keep the old tie rods?Where can I get a cheep one? I found one for $425 - rebulitWhat is a good / cheep site to buy parts from?While I'm doing this is there anything else that I should replace?

Thank for any help!

[EQwhipD]

Welcome to Nico!,I had the same problem for my Q. I actually bought a steering rack and planned on replacing it; BUT my mechanic advised me to use Lucas power steering fluid. It guarantees to stop leakage in two bottles or less (about $9 a bottle at Advanced Auto). I went through one bottle, and completely fixed the problem. There is no leak, and the PS feels brand new.However, if you do not want to go that route, let me know because I have an extra PS rack packaged and ready to go, BUT it is from an 1994 Active with 55,000 miles. I do believe that active and standard Qs have different steering racks, but I could be wrong.Let us know how it the Lucas works first!

-EQwhipD [email protected]

[Jesda]

I've heard of them going for as low as $200, but I dont recall where. Most rebuilds are just old racks with new seals in them. Definitely try the Lucas for a rack leak or low pressure hose leak.

[irax]

ok guys, with racks do not buy cheap, for a quality rebuild it is worth the money. A lot of times when companys offer a 'life time warrenty' do what we call in the business a "spray and pray". What that is, is when they get the rack they only replace the seals that are worn out. Where as when we get a rack we replace all seals, screws, joints, bolts everything that COULD ware out is replaced. My company has been rebuilding racks for little over 18 years now. Our racks will come with a 3 year warrenty. Therack will run you 310 (Ask for Abe*me* and mention NICO and you can have it at the sweet price of 265) + a 150 core deposit. Give me a call I promis I will take care of you. Plus you get free shipping.

Abe

Meridian Rack & Pinion800-845-1225

ASK FOR ME!

[Rex]

ok guys, with racks do not buy cheap, for a quality rebuild it is worth the money. A lot of times when companys offer a 'life time warrenty' do what we call in the business a "spray and pray". What that is, is when they get the rack they only replace the seals that are worn out. Where as when we get a rack we replace all seals, screws, joints, bolts everything that COULD ware out is replaced. My company has been rebuilding racks for little over 18 years now. Our racks will come with a 3 year warrenty. Therack will run you 310 (Ask for Abe*me* and mention NICO and you can have it at the sweet price of 265) + a 150 core deposit. Give me a call I promis I will take care of you. Plus you get free shipping.

Abe

Meridian Rack & Pinion800-845-1225

ASK FOR ME!

Since you're in the business, I have to ask ...

Have you heard about the differences in the steering racks between the early Q's and the 94-96's? Supposedly, Inf only offers one part number now, but the earlier ones were a different P/N before.

[irax]

From what I understand yes, but I dont get alot of inq. on trick stuff for the q, but ill go out to the warehouse and see whats up. Since nissan/infiniti has a reputation of predictable, its probbaly the same. Which means A sus. = better steering ratio.

OK here's how it works.. with prices(nico prices)

90-96STD/HICAS = same rack 265(225)94-96Asuspension = different rack 310(265), but mounts and bolts in just the same in any G50

sorry I forgot to mention unfortunatly there is a 50 doller upgrade charge if you have a non Active suspension rack to use as a core. If you can get one then its the price that I mentioned..

Modified by irax at 4:02 PM 3/17/2006

Modified by irax at 4:30 PM 3/17/2006

Modified by irax at 4:31 PM 3/17/2006
Modified by irax at 5:27 PM 3/17/2006

[hst]

Thanks for the quick replys guys, I'll give the lucas a shot, but it is leaking a sh*t load, about a quart a week. It may be beyond all help. Abe I may be giving you a call next week!

[elwesso]

Thanks for the quick replys guys, I'll give the lucas a shot, but it is leaking a sh*t load, about a quart a week. It may be beyond all help. Abe I may be giving you a call next week!

ITs gotta be a hose thats leaking, IMO

[irax]

is there fluid in the boot? not on our around the boot but inside..

[squeefoo]

From what I've read in the FSM it doesn't look too tough to replace all the seals/rebuild in a Q rack. Just hydraulics...<shrug>Same as anything else... TLC w/patience.

[Q45tech]

Since there is a position sensor inside steering column that feels data to t and active cars important that the rack matches otherwise things will get confused as to steering wheel position vs rack position.

Why swaping ratios can be problems on later cars or even using a later rack on early ones. ~~2.3 turns of steering wheel vs ~~3.

[RobertsnewQ]

I can vouch for Meridian's parts. I've used them on several cars over the years. ALso, several local Nissan dealers have been known to use Meridian racks.

[irax]

Yeah I'm going to be using a faster steering ratio once I get my Q next month. Basicly doing this is like swaping a HICAS rack in a non HICAS s13 or s14, more steering angle more responce. You do need to fit wheels acordingly though if you do upgrade.

[irax]

Ok here's what i did for lunch today

Went to the gas station put some gas in the tank, bought some smokes, did some industrial day time drifting.. HAHA JK!

What I really did was pull the Q45 STD/HICAS G50 Rack and compaired it to the A suspension Rack.

So quick reference G50S rack = STD/HICAS, G50A rack = A suspension rack..

G50S is a slower ratio then the G50A rack, mount points are the same, and solinoid is the same.

How ever Not only does the G50A have less turns lock to lock, it also has more steering travel (more angle for the dangle... sorry another boro drifter reference)

Both racks have 1 mount point in common with the 240sx rack and seem to have the same colom placement. What does that mean to you?

it means more options of steering ratio's

the 240sx with 2 wheel steer has ~3.6 turns L2L (lock to lock)the 240sx with 4 wheel steer has ~2.7 turns L2L + more anglethe G50S has ~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~3 turns L2L the G50A has ~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~2.3 turns L2L + more angle

If I am off by any of this information please let me know I want to be more accurite but I only I have a pair of vice grips and gut fealing

BTW Robert If you could be as so kind as to give me a call when you have a free moment during normal business hours I have a few Q's to ask you
Modified by irax at 9:23 PM 3/17/2006

[ddrumman]

Since you're in the business, I have to ask ...

Have you heard about the differences in the steering racks between the early Q's and the 94-96's? Supposedly, Inf only offers one part number now, but the earlier ones were a different P/N before.

If I'm not mistaking, 90-93 steering rack is different from 94-96. There was a discussion a while back and here is what I remember: (One real valuable improvement for a 94/96 is a 90-93 steering rack.A bit tighter and sportier feel.Fred..)

That (tighter sportier feel) would be a lot more attractive if it does NOT get in the way with the ratios and what not.

D.

[Jesda]

I noticed the 90 seems to have less assist and a firmer feel. I guess thats all software?

[SDQ45]

You may just need to replace the boots.

[irax]

NOT TRUE

90-96 STD/HICAS racks are all the same. Its just the early model had better valving. But since we rebuild them, we use the older(reads: better) valving. But this could be due to a change in the computer? man when I get my Q im removing all computer controlled everything, or atleast try. But then again if your puting rebuilt racks into it you will notice a difference so it could all be mental IDK.

replacing the boots wont do much other then keep the fluid in, this is not smart because once the boot tares the fluid will spill everywhere and then you still have a leaking rack.

Hey SDQ45 I have some wheels I wanna try fitting on your G50 would you mind giving me a few moments of your time? I'll PM you with my cell number. I ask this because I dont have my G50 yet so I wanna know If I can keep the same rims.
Modified by irax at 10:16 PM 3/17/2006

[RobertsnewQ]

All racks were the same until 94 (at least according to the parts manual & var. shop manuals I've looked at).

THEN the std. got the 3-turn rack & the active got the old 2.6-turn rack. Or vice versa (it's not clear from the data out there. ANyone have a 95 shop manual?)

Anyway, if you look at the FSM for each year, you'll see what I'm talking about. It lists the # of turns lock-to-lock.

BTW now, if you order a rack from Nissan, they have one # fo 90-93 and one # for 94-95???

THe car & driver article (on Wes' site) says some other stuff too, so it's all very confusing.

The steering computer might be different. I know that if you want a sportier feel, you can swap the 300zx (non-turbo) steering computer. THe curve to decrease steering pressure drops off at a lower road speed.

Crazy.

[irax]

See the thing is new rack as a new part number that superseeds the older so that is why they have 2 different part numbers. But as a BUILDER of these racks I can tell you that 90-96(G50)STD are all the same, the 94-96 HICAS is the same as the standerd. The only difference may be in the solenoids but the plugs are the same and I think Nissan wouldn't piss in my cornflakes like that if they were different. I think it is Different via computer. Now the 94-96 A-spec has the different steering ratios.

OK so I can not figure out how to PM people on this forum... SDQ45 my phone number is 858 382 1261 call me..
Modified by irax at 10:33 PM 3/17/2006

[Q45tech]

The steering wheel drag [stiffness] is set by adjusting the pinion gear depth......[preload/lash].............Careful as this varies with PS temperature which gets hot.

1/4 of a turn is a lot and you can bind the rack in start up when everything is cool............Study FSM.

The variable assist [pressure vs speed] a voltage is sent from speedometer D/A to steering computer which tries to compensate for warm up along with speed.

[maxnix]

94-96 HICAS is the same as the standard.

There is no HICAS in 1995--1996. Meridian is Joe's supplier for non-OEM racks. If you have a good rack (rack and pinion are machined to 1/10,000 of an inch), you may want to consider the seal kit. Requires skill and a decent shop bench to install correctly.

THEN the std. got the 3-turn rack & the active got the old 2.6-turn rack. Or vice versa (it's not clear from the data out there. ANyone have a 95 shop manual?)

It is 2.6 turns lock-to lock for a 15:1 ratio. Steering gear is PR26SE.

Steering fluid is pretty stressed from low volume no cooler during in town or twistie driving anyway. Why frequent mechanical fluid exchanges are required. Might want to think about increasing stress and high speed twitchiness with faster ratio. HeavyDuty did put a cooler on his low pressure side. There is a NISMO kit for the Z32 also.

[redmanfx]

Check this thread as well. It may have some info that may help...

zer...06749

94 racks are different from 92's and earlier according to Joe... and the A's are different as well.

red

[texasoil]

PS on Q45 uses about 10' of 'looped' steel tubing back and forth at front of cross member as the 'cooler' works well unless you let that area cake up with road dirt.

[Q45tech]

Except using identical new ATF in AT and PS.........the PS changes color [decreases saturation significantly] by 10,000 miles [<6 months] vs AT~~ 20,000 miles.

Significantly more thermal stress on PS..........I used Mobil 1 ATF for that test.

Conventional Valvoline bulk Dex 111 g ATF is worse faster color change. ??

[hst]

You may just need to replace the boots.

Well the Lucas stoped the leaking, 3 bottles at 9 bux a pop. Not to bad. But I do need to replace the boots ASAP. Where is the best place to order these from??

[hst]

anyone???

[96Qowner]

Best place for OEM parts is usually Joe at EverythingNissanInfiniti in Scottsdale, AZ.

1 888 216 5328

Be sure to have an actual conversation about what you need. Tell him you're from NICO and want the discount. He'll advise you about any other parts you may have overlooked for the fix.

[hst]

Thanks buddy!