Steering rack questions -> 94 Q45t

[psychic_mechanic]

I just noticed the steering rack on the Q is leaking, I saw spots on my concrete. I will be ordering one soon for $169 from one of our sponsors, but was wondering what the other recomended stuff is to replace at the same time. I will flush out all of the fluid and replace it with good synthetic.

I don't want a 90-93 rack because the car spends most of it's time near triple digits on the interstate. I love California!

I've got a squeaky upper link, should I replace that now, so I can just get the car aligned once, or does it even need to be aligned after an upper link replacement?

Thanx!-Vinny

[DAEDALUS]

I had no idea the racks were so cheap! May as well do the upper link (or both of them) with the car hoisted. Although you can't adjust the camber (well, sort of), it's good to know what the numbers are. I'd have it aligned after doing everything. You can always put shims under the upper links to move them outboard a bit if the camber comes back too negative.

[PalmerWMD]

Dont forget the 2 steering rack bushings, they almost certainly will need replacing as well.

Fred..

[maxnix]

You can always put shims under the upper links to move them outboard a bit if the camber comes back too negative.

Can you be more specific about where the shims are placed to move the upper links outboard? Maybe I am having a senior moment, but the only place I can think of washer attaching would be on the mounting bolts, and I don't see how that would move the upper links anywhere. I think I am missing the method employed. Thanks.

[DAEDALUS]

The shims go between the upper link bracket and the body. A search shows a wealth of info on suspension, alignment and camber adjustment.

http://www.nissaninfiniticlub....44760

[psychic_mechanic]

Upon further investigation of the picture, that is the price for the "rack" of the rack & pinion only. An entire assmbly is much more expensive.

I'll probably get a seal kit and do a "autozone reman" on my unit. I've built engines and automatic trannies before, so a steering rack shouldn't be that hard for me.

[GuidoInc]

Does anyone have any experience with this company?http://www.buy-steering.com/I thought when my steering system goes I would order from them.

[PalmerWMD]

I only buy from NICO sponsors, there's a bunch of them on left supplieng OEM parts.

Fred...

[maxnix]

The shims go between the upper link bracket and the body. A search shows a wealth of info on suspension, alignment and camber adjustment.

http://www.nissaninfiniticlub....44760

Upper link bracket makes a lot more sense than the original reference to the upper links alone.

Thanks.

need 4 - 3/16" shims under the 4 bolts between the upper link mounting bracket and the shock tower metal.......the cheap temp fix.

__________________Brian1995 Q45 & Q45t & 2000 Q45

Discover the power of the button!

[DAEDALUS]

Sorry, I didn't realize anyone needed *that* much clarification.

:rolleyes

http://www.nissaninfiniticlub....44107

[psychic_mechanic]

I finished the "auto zone reman" reseal of my rack this weekend. Nothing leaks yet.

I'll start the flushing operation with the Mobil1 ATF tommorow. I need to go buy a turkey baster.

The whole process was a lot easier than I thought it would be. The drawn out part was getting the rack out of the car. I had to go buy two monster pipe wrenchs to dissasemble the rack and a piece of PVC pipe to use as a seal installation tool.

[gordonq45]

Hi,

Sounds like that is not very diffecult for you fix the leaking. Could you give me an idea how big the job is? My 90 Q45 has leaking problem I just found last week and a shop checked and told me that whole linkage should be replaced. I'm wonderring if DIY is ok.

Thanks

Gordon

[psychic_mechanic]

It's a big pain and you'll need some special tools like external torx sockets.

I'm ASE certified and would rather shell out the cash for a "remanned" unit from autozone or something similar next time.

On the other hand it can be a good learning experience and you're only out the price of seals and boots if you screw it up.