steering rack source...

[EricB]

Hi...

I called Nissan and new steering racks are of course NLA.

Courtesy Parts did not know who to recommend for a rebuild

I called Rebello up in NorCal to see if they could recommend a place.

No such luck, they had no idea but wished me good luck...

I called Victoria British and they don't expect to have any in stock for at least 6-8 weeks

I even called Pepboys and they don't even have a listing for one in their computer database.

MSA doesn't carry them any more.

I searched on this forum and HybridZ and found several people had poor results with just picking up the phone book and calling joeschmo steering... so can anyone whose recently gone through the same thing recommend a place to get one rebuilt or to buy a rebuilt one from?

Thanks,

-e

[TBK1]

Any reputable alignment shop should be able to get them, I think carquest can even get them. Had mine (77) replaced last year, no problem getting it!

[EricB]

I read that 70-3 racks were different and not interchangeable with either 260 or 280Z ones on one of the posts...

[ncz]

Eric, do they have a rebuild kit, usually its just the outer ends and maybe the inner ends and thats about it. Is it out of specs?

[jmortensen]

Shouldn't be that hard to find a used one in decent shape. Have you tried Z barn or zparts.com? I am 99% sure you can use the 280Z rack on a 240 if you swap out the rack mount bushings, if you can't find a 240 rack somewhere.From Steve Golik, Z car guru and minutia master:

Yes, there are several differences:

1. The housing material changed from cast aluminum to cast iron.

2. The pinion shaft support changed from a [ball] bearing and bushing to two [ball] bearings.

3. The outside diameter of the rack support area increased, thus requiring different bushings on the front crossmember.

4. The oil filler maintenance ports were eliminated.

5. The steering ratio changed from 15.8 to 18.0.

6. The rubber rack boots mounting was changed from a rubber band to a screw clamp.

[EricB]

<gasp>

Zbarn has new OEM steering racks for 69-73... guess for how muhc?

$1300!!!!!!!!! That's half the purchase price of the car!!!! wow....

Remanufactured for $500...

-e

[LanceM]

rockauto.com lists them for the 280Z, $224 plus $30 core.

I have a good rack from a 73, though I'm not sure I want to part with it if they are that hard to get.

[EricB]

Thanks Lance... That's what I wanted, someone's recommendation...

-e

[LanceM]

I've bought a lot of parts from rockauto, for a lot of different cars and they usually have the best prices and it's all been good stuff.

[dspillman]

Hi Eric,

I just removed a rack from a early rust bucket, before hauling to scrap yard.

It has very little to zero play, inner tierods good. I did unscrew the plastic reservoir, to use on another car. Shoot me an email at volgolf@aol.com if interested in shipping from the east coast.

David

[1973Z]

I got mine last year at Steeringstore.com - can't remember the price, but nowhere near the prices listed above. The rack was a remanufactured - I have been happy with it.

[2-4-T-Z-MAN]

Why don't you just rebuild yours? I bought the bushings from VB. They even had the pinion gear if needed.