I'm doing a ground-up resto on a '71 240Z, but having a problem with the steering rack. I've removed the outer tie rods and the boots. I did have some difficulty removing the inner tie rods because the lock (jam) nut is quite thin and is crammed between the tie rod one one side and an unidentified object on the inside. This object does not appear in illustrations in either the factory manual or Haynes. Instructions in both books make no mention. Overall shape and size (there's one at each end of the rack) is much like a bearing. It is round, without wrench flats. Push on it hard by hand, and it feels like there might be a spring inside. Immediately adjacent to it is a hole drilled into the rack. I've poked around the hole with a punch, but that has yielded nothing. Until I get rid of these things, I can't withdraw the rack.

My local Nissan dealer has no knowledge of, or interest in, early models.

Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated. If someone needs photos, let me know.

Regards,

Richard McDonell

Red Deer, Alberta, Canada

Datsun 240Z/260Z/280Z Steering Gear (Rack & Pinion Type)

Much better pictures and part number listings.

Courtesy is only showning the bearing (#10) as being available anymore.... No big surprise. I'll call Nissan Canada and see what I can dig up.

Nope sorry 48127-78500 and 48128-78500 are not available here either.

Edited September 9, 201410 yr by zKars

From my parts fiche CD the best I can read is P/N 48126-78500 for the pinion bushing, for up to 07/73 and P/N 48018-E8700 for the pinion bearing, from 08/71 to 07/73.

Thanks guys! I do appreciate the quick assist.

Jay

Guys,

FWIW I just was able to order the following from Courtesy:

Key Part Number Description Quantity Price

4 48127-78500 BUSH-STEERING RACK (1) $7.91

10 48018-E8700 BEARING-PINION STEER (1) $16.73

13 48125-78500 SEAL-OIL PINION U (1) $2.59

22 48203-N3000 BOOT-STEERING GEAR (2) $104.98

23 48055-E8700 CLAMP-DUST COVER UPP (4) $9.16

24 48054-78500 CLAMP-BOOT STEERING (2) $2.54

See, never trust an on-line data base. Call and ask.

Now the nail biter is, will one actually make it to your doorstep...

Jim,

I am crossing my fingers... Some it is absolutely needed, some are nice to have. BTW that carpartsmanual.com site is awesome! Many thanks,

Jay

Awww snap!

"Dear Mr.Blair,

Thank you for your order. This is to let you know that Nissan has informed

us that part #48125-78500 [sEAL-OIL] is now no longer available. However,

I did locate several dealerships in the US that list one of these ??s in

their inventory. We will contact them and, if they actually have it

(sometimes these listings are inaccurate or the part is being held for

another customer), we will procure it from them and then ship it to you.

If they do not have it we will issue a refund.

Thank you for your order. This is to let you know that Nissan has informed

us that part #48055-E8700 [CLAMP] 48018-E8700 [bRNG-PINIO] (OEM part

#48055-E8700, 48018-E8700) is now no longer available."

Back on the hunt again... I wonder if I can source the bearing straight from Koyo or cross reference it.

Ahhh.... Yo Ho Yo Ho a Z's Life for me.

Jay

Dang it. There is a good chance you can find a bearing from a generic source. Take it with you to a big drivetrain or bearing shop. Measure it and check on line to see if find one. Read the fine print on the bearing itself for an SKF or similar part number.

Guys,

A couple of things I have come up with:

1) WAS able to find the bushings for the rack (48127-78500 - Courtesy) & (48128-78500 - Smith Family Nissan (580) 225-3344)

2) Pinion bearing is a standard part in the industry 6003RS (17x35x10) that you can find anywhere for around $10 - helped when I got out the readers and could see it was an "S" and not a "5"!!!

3) The bellows I am using, per the rebuilding rack thread on here, are EMPI 88-1509K ~$15/side from Amazon

4) Still hunting the oil seal (Courtesy is looking across the dealerspace for me)

Thanks Again for the assists!

Jay

Jay, I found a Timken crossover part number for the oil seal you might be able to look for, Nissan 48125-78500 SEAL-OIL crosses to Timken 221735. See this link for the info on page 149:

http://www.timken.com/en-us/products/Documents/Timken_Seal_Interchange_and_Cross_Reference_Guide.pdf

Timken is the parent for National Industrial Seals, and are best sourced from any industrial bearing house, like Kaman Industrial Technologies.

HTH Mike

While looking for seal specs I found this source:

National 221735 - Oil Seal | O'Reilly Auto Parts

Edited September 11, 201410 yr by CanTechZ

Mike,

If that is the case, and after looking at the Kalman site, I think that the steering rack bushings, pinion bushing, pinon bearing and the oil seal all might be able to be sourced after market. I will need to break out my digital mic and do some careful measuring.

Thanks!

Jay

You're welcome, here is a link crossing over Timken Bearings as well. I didn't find the pinion bearing here but may be use full for others, Timken is mainly know for tapered roller bearings. Maybe SKF or others may publish a cross over list as well.

http://www.timken.com/en-us/products/Documents/Timken_Bearing_Cross_Reference_Guide.pdf