Manual steering rack

[addicted4life]

Anyone know if they really exist? I've seen one or two cars with them on but can't seem to find out anything about them. Trying to eliminate the power steering all together now to make more room.

[300ZXttZMAN]

You don't want to do that haha. Wait until you get your car back on the road then disable your powersteering try to drive then see what you think before you just decide to get rid of it all...

Ask me how I know? Well for some stupid reason right after I completed my build my Z's gear rack decided that it wanted to start leaking so instead of having to keep filling it up and leaking ATF all over my drive way and garage I decided to just take the belt off the pump until it was time to pull everything apart... Which we pulled the trans off yesterday I'm thinking we should be able to finish resealing oil pan and changing the gear rack by the end of next week.

[buloushie]

You don't want to do that haha. Wait until you get your car back on the road then disable your powersteering try to drive then see what you think before you just decide to get rid of it all...

Ask me how I know? Well for some stupid reason right after I completed my build my Z's gear rack decided that it wanted to start leaking so instead of having to keep filling it up and leaking ATF all over my drive way and garage I decided to just take the belt off the pump until it was time to pull everything apart... Which we pulled the trans off yesterday I'm thinking we should be able to finish resealing oil pan and changing the gear rack by the end of next week.

Don't know if they ever made a manual rack or not the Z,but that info is wrong.a power rack that is not working is wayyyyyyy more effort than a manual rack. I have switch out a powered rack for a manual one in a f body mustang only big difference was in slow speed turns and such. Hope hat helps out.

[NolimitZ32]

1. buloushie is absolutely right, a manual rack will be much easier to work then a busted power rack, I used to have a civic with a manual rack, it wasnt easy to turn the wheel while sitting still but it was nothing compared to the muscle I had to use to crank the wheel on my old blazer when the PS packed up.
2. Dave Roys (can't remember his sn) has a manual rack that he had custom made I believe, track him down for more info.

[addicted4life]

Reasoning behind the question is to clear up space. If I can remove the pump entirely then I have that many more options to run the piping. A manual rack is nothing like a dead ps pump in that they are geared lower inside so you can still turn it normally (save at low speeds, you feel the resistance from lack of motion).


This guy did it but I believe it is a custom fitted one.
http://m.6speedonline.com/forums/showth ... styleid=24

Found a set of TDM front mount manifolds for $1,350. Very nice product. Want to make sure I can do what I'm setting out to before I buy them.

[300ZXttZMAN]

Don't know if they ever made a manual rack or not the Z,but that info is wrong.a power rack that is not working is wayyyyyyy more effort than a manual rack. I have switch out a powered rack for a manual one in a f body mustang only big difference was in slow speed turns and such. Hope hat helps out.

1. buloushie is absolutely right, a manual rack will be much easier to work then a busted power rack, I used to have a civic with a manual rack, it wasnt easy to turn the wheel while sitting still but it was nothing compared to the muscle I had to use to crank the wheel on my old blazer when the PS packed up.
2. Dave Roys (can't remember his sn) has a manual rack that he had custom made I believe, track him down for more info.

Reasoning behind the question is to clear up space. If I can remove the pump entirely then I have that many more options to run the piping. A manual rack is nothing like a dead ps pump in that they are geared lower inside so you can still turn it normally (save at low speeds, you feel the resistance from lack of motion).


This guy did it but I believe it is a custom fitted one.
http://m.6speedonline.com/forums/showth ... styleid=24

Found a set of TDM front mount manifolds for $1,350. Very nice product. Want to make sure I can do what I'm setting out to before I buy them.

Ahh interesting... Learn something new everyday, and come to think of it, it actually makes sense.

[scheffler]

You might want to look for a manual rack for a 240sx. I know that they have them for that car. I own a ZX and an SX. I am not 100% sure but when I get under them I would swear they are the same. they may have some slight differences but when I pulled the motor on the Z it looked damn near the same. Also when I did the bushing replacement It felt like I had done it before. You may need to change tie rods or something small.

[addicted4life]

I just thought of this haha but I have a RHD so I would have to find one out of a RHD 300. I'll look into a rack from the importers for a 240 thanks for the direction.

[bartZ32tt]

I just changed the steering rack bushings on my Z. It included a 3rd bushing for a 240sx that is unused for our Z's but the other bushing is the shared among the two chassis. Which leads me to believe that the 240sx steering rack is very similar, but inevitably different; not interchangeable.

Hope you get it figured out. You'd really simplify a lot of things if you could remove the stock power steering system all together - cutting weight and parasitic drag (and expensive maintenance). Or it'd be cool to adapt an electric power steering motor onto the steering rack like this guy did: http://www.nicoclub.com/archives/datsun ... ering.html

[addicted4life]

Nice system. $1500 for it, issue is I would have to find a rhd rack off of a 240/260/280z, for a RHD model. Not the easiet piece to source out. We're I makin twice what I am and had another sports car to enjoy in my time off while I build this on the side I would defiantly go for it.

Not that looking for a RHD manual rack is any easier but it's less to get into at this point lol

[addicted4life]

I just changed the steering rack bushings on my Z. It included a 3rd bushing for a 240sx that is unused for our Z's but the other bushing is the shared among the two chassis. Which leads me to believe that the 240sx steering rack is very similar, but inevitably different; not interchangeable.

What model year 240 if you don't mind me asking? If its very similar then it can be made to work with a little work.



Edit I found this link on google for anyone interested:

manual-steering-rack-t291114.html

[scheffler]

I have a 92 S13. I don't know if the rack from a S14 is the same or different that may be where the 3rd bushing came from the S14 model. I can only remember two bushing on my S13. But like you said if it is close it could probably be made to work.

IDK if you have seen this link yet but if not check it out. http://nissanroadracing.com/showthread.php?t=1189

[bartZ32tt]

What model year 240 if you don't mind me asking? If its very similar then it can be made to work with a little work.

Well I just checked the instructions sheet for you and ill be darned - the s13 and z32 chassis both share the same bushings. The s14 uses a different passenger bushing. Not sure how that translates to the overall steering rack itself but at least we now know that much!

[addicted4life]

Hey guys, Ijust messaged the Ottawa JDM importer asking if they are able to get me a JDM S13 manual rack. We will see how it goes, I'll keep you posted.



A link to their website, lots of cars for you to drool over:P
http://jdm-ottawa.com/

[z32loverboy]

A link to their website, lots of cars for you to drool over:P
http://jdm-ottawa.com/

^

[addicted4life]

No luck guys, they said they will try and source one from Japan directly but not to hold my breath. Oh we'll, have to try and make it work with that massive pump in my way haha

[z32loverboy]

That blows. I was hoping there would be an alternative to running that dang pump and all the lines. It would free up a lot of space

[addicted4life]

Be easier for you USDM guys to figure out. I have to import for my car as its a JDM. Love to see someone go through with this. I'm going to keep looking but planning as if I can't find one.

[z32loverboy]

True for my car in it's current state, but I think I'm going to switch to RHD sometime in one of the Z's that I own. So, i'm keeping research on both and seeing which I like better. Just for kick and giggles in one of them.

[z32tt1990]

So i am trying to get a custom manual steering rack made for the z32 tt through flamingriver. I called them and they are willing to work with me to produce one and they said that at first they will probably need 550 for it. however, this is not an accurate quote because i need all the information on a z32 1990 tt OEM power steering rack. they said that the price will lower and discounts may be available after they get sales for 20-30 of them. seeing as all the power steering in these cars like to leak, and the lines are expensive off of Conceptz and z1, i figured i would try and get one produced that would bolt on. I just need some information if anyone would be willing to help me out, my engine is in and i am unable to measure anything on my rack. CZP couldnt help me and neither could z1 i tried calling. i even tried nissan who was no help at all. so what i need is:
1.Overall Length
2.center to center pivot assembly length
3. amount of travel
4. male inner tie rod end design
5. pinion shaft length position and design
6. mounting point position or length between mounting points
7. mounting style and size
Any help would be greatly appreciated Thank you very much everyone for your help, my hope is to get a little to no mod manual steering rack made so there is no reason to worry about the pump lines and fluid.

[budget300zx]

Did you ask if you could just send them your steering rack?

[z32tt1990]

I did not, but I have to drive my car still that is why the engine is still in. So sending it would be impossible right now. That is a good idea though if i could find a steering rack used for really cheap i could send it.

[addicted4life]

I would ask them about sending one in.
Check the facebook groups for an old rack, contact joe n or brian metzler, they have a very large collection of parts cars and may he willing to work with you. Get it sent direct to the shop.

I would say i am in for buying one, but as a rhd 300zx it wouldnt work for me

[evildky]

It's really not that big of a deal to modify the stock rack, I did my Z31. remove all the hydraulic lines from the rack, purge the fluid, loop the line and you're done. most people don't purge the system so when you are steering you are pushing all that fluid through those lines and that makes steering harder. granted manual steering is still gonna be harder than power most notably at parking speeds but unless you got girl arms it's not a big deal.

[z32tt1990]

that might be a great short term fix, but I am definitely trying to get a straight manual one made for these cars. I know that people will be into them and I dont have to mess around with fluids and all that modding right now. I will most definitely look into modding the stock one into a manual because that will at least stop the leak onto my alternator for now. And addicted4life I posted in two of the z32 pages and no responses I will look into talking to those people tomorrow thank you for the help.

[z32tt1990]

It's really not that big of a deal to modify the stock rack, I did my Z31. remove all the hydraulic lines from the rack, purge the fluid, loop the line and you're done. most people don't purge the system so when you are steering you are pushing all that fluid through those lines and that makes steering harder. granted manual steering is still gonna be harder than power most notably at parking speeds but unless you got girl arms it's not a big deal.

Is there a write up on this also? If there is any info you would be able to give me on how to do this, as I have never seen it personally I would be forever greatful.

[budget300zx]

this is for a 240sx, but is pretty much the same once the rack is out. I just drilled holes rather then cut slits. I didnt have time to get the pipe caps so i just filled the original hollow bolts with silcone and let dry before reinstalling.



http://www.nicoclub.com/archives/howtoo ... grack.html

[z32tt1990]

That is amazing, thank you very much for the help, I will be trying that this weekend.