G50 Steering column lower joint, Wow!

[SanCarlosQ45]

Hey everyone, so today I finally got to replacing the lower steering u-joint because I knew there was some play. Apparently the new one I got is a newer design than the original based on the updated part number. The old one had some taps that limit the amount you can tighten the joint onto the shafts which causes a problems when the thing wears. The new design doesn't have these so they can be tightened more.

So I got under the car and yanked on the steering shaft and could see the upper part move quite a bit even though the thing was tight. After replacement everything felt really tight, got and drove and all I can say is wow. There was noticeable play especially at highway speed but is totally gone now. I'll see if I can get pictures of the tabs I'm talking about. I have replaced almost all of the suspension chasing this problem only to find it was this. Apparently the 300zx has a similar issue, not surprising because the steering racks and lower joints are almost identical, at least very close.

Also has anyone done a track day with a NICO ecu on stage 3? Just wondering if this would be safe, I keep it in stage 2 because when I start the car sometimes the idle would jump to 2k. I'm taking the car to Laguna Seca in about a month so I'm getting the car ready.

[BCC93QT]

Stage 3 FTW. I rarely take it off stage 3. Just a bit more careful when the heat of the summer is here. Glad your steering was an easy fix!

[elwesso]

Glad it was easy. I'd probably run on stage 2 just to be safe, however I ran my Q really hard on the track with stage 3 no issues. Just run the best gas you can and you'll be fine.

[Q451990]

I ran the Q at NICOfest Tail of the Dragon in Stage III and it was a blast!

That U-Joint froze on my old Q, so my steering felt very difficult to turn until the car warmed up... I think the pre-cat located next to it would heat it up and unfreeze it.

Heath