Rack and Pinion

[dlduscg]

Leaking on driver's side. Available at RackDoctor, remanufactured and warranteed with 95 dol core, and 18 dol shipping. Thinking of doing it myself. Any tips or suggestions?

[maxnix]

Do it at an alignment shop because no matter how careful you are, you won't be very close.

Someone just installed a rackdoctor. I have a Maval on one of my G50, many have used a Meridian.

Use M1 ATF and BG Power Steering conditioner.

Make certain it is indeed the rack and not one of the hoses, which are a good item to replace, especially the one from the reservoir to the rack.

[qship96]

Dont forget to order new rack bushings.....about $20 for the pair from Joe at Scottsdale Infiniti- hurry to get the extra 5% discount he is offering us currently- good to stock up on air/fuel/oil/cabin filters and other consumables during the sale also to save on future necessities!

[elwesso]

I woudl personally go with Z32 poly rack bushings... Should last a long time and maybe a little better steering feel!!!

I recommend the rack doctors unit.. They upgrade the boots and other odds and ends.. that guy knows what he's doing!

[dlduscg]

tel number for Joe at Scottsdale please

[maxnix]

http://www.infinitipartsusa.com

[dlduscg]

Justin can not find Z32 poly rack bushings in catalog...any other suggestions for poly bushings?

[dlduscg]

Must be the Z32 bushings for Nissan 300ZX/Infiniti only up to year 96, and not the same for 99?

[BLACKonBLACK98]

go with rich (rackdoctor), excellent business as far as i'm concerned,

bushings are energy suspension part# 7.10104 (splparts.com, not listed as es but they are)

[OwnerCS]

More good information here for sure. I found a cracked rack boot on the passenger side. I need to look deeper into it this weekend. The $139 exchange price from rackdoctor for the following seems very reasonable to me. I see it includes tie-rod ends.

All Rack Doctor certified units have:

•All new seals
•All new O rings
•All new Teflon rings
•All units come complete with inner tie rods and boots
•All units are bored and sleeved (where applicable)
•All units Are 100 % hydraulically tested for quality assurance
•All components used by Rack Doctor are original equipment or better quality
•All units have a 2 year Warranty

[Q451990]

If all you have is a cracked boot, I would just remove the boots, clean everything up with brake parts cleaner, pack it with fresh grease, and put on new boots. $20ish for the boots + alignment and a whole lot less work. You never know how much the core was abused before it was rebuilt - if yours is performing well, you know what you have.

Heath

[OwnerCS]

Heath - Thanks again for all the great the information. I'll get under mine this weekend and check it out thoroughly. I know mine has been babied all the way. Actually, the local Infiniti dealer did an evaluation and write up for the car's previous owner. The two idems that needed to be addressed on the report listed a cracked rack boot and oil pan seal. I plan to do the oil pan seal as part of the timing chain job. I would like to change the power steering fluid sooner than later.

[elwesso]

On any old nissan its usually a good idea to just live with a small PS leak.. I think they came leaking from the factory a little bit...

[Q45tech]

Depending on amount of leak Lucas Stop Leak may swell the seals enough for temp fix, worth a try. If it works then flush PS after a few days to correct the viscosity from Lucas.

[elwesso]

Dont you think that if its a small leak that it might just be best to leave it?? For instance, my Q has been leaking a small amount, such that I have to top off my PS a couple times a year, maybe a half quart over a years time.. If my car sits for about a week, it will have a drip zone about 3-4 inches in diameter... Overnight/24 hours it doesnt leave anything behind

Besides, if it leaks a little then you always have fresh fluid!!!

[OwnerCS]

Thank you all for the candor and common sense tips. It is definately a cool attribute of this forum. :-)

[OwnerCS]

No power steering fluid leaks in the boot areas. For the boot that was cracked, I pulled it back and noticed there is an approximate 2" inch diameter O ring looking washer or bumper floating between the inner tie rod connection and the rack piston. I think it might be some type of bumper for the inner tie rod connector housing. I think it might need to be attached to the inner connector housing. I don't think it is a seal or I would see some leakage. Is anyone familiar with this part?

[elwesso]

Yeah its just a spacer, according to the parts book..

[OwnerCS]

Thank you! Does it need to be stationary?

[OwnerCS]

Here's a picture of the 7.10104G steering rack bushing part box below.

[OwnerCS]

Here's a picture of the 7.10104G steering rack bushing part box below.

Today I attempted to install Energy Suspension Poly Rack Bushings 7.10104G.

After loosening the rack, I was able to slide off one of the bushings, to compare it to the new ES bushings.

My main objective was to replace the rack boots along with some new poly bushings.

Somehow I got the idea that ES 7.10104G for a 300ZX will work on a 1991 Q45. Actually the rack housing for a 90-93 is a different part than the 94-96 part. ES 7.10104G may work on a 94-96 but I had to abort the mission for my 91.

Anybody want to buy some ES 7.10104G bushings?

The rack bushing I removed from the 91 appears to be a bit larger in the picture below. As you can see, the largest bushing will easily fit inside the ID of the 91 OEM bushing -- go figure

[Infinitiguy19]

I just did some research (After I ordered these bushings, I know dumb). Anyways the steering rack housings are the same from 1990-1996. The bracket that the round bushing goes into is also the same from 1990-1996.

OwnerCS did you try to make the largest bushing in the box work on the rack? Maybe it would be a tight fit but still work?

The OEM bushing is 2.0XX inches in diameter (I used a Harbor Freight 6" digital caliper at room temp to get the measurment.)

The OEM bushing part number 54445-60U00 is the same from 1990-1996. That's the bushing in the above pictures that OwnerCS posted.

[Infinitiguy19]

I just picked up the new poly urethane bushings and they do seem slightly smaller. When placed on the rack they do not go all the way around it. There is a 9MM gap. Will the gap get smaller once the bushings are torqued?

Any of the 1994-1996 Q45/300ZX owners want to chime in please?