marinez Posted August 10, 2016 Share Posted August 10, 2016 Hey all...just got done doing the brake conversion (thanks for all the insight) and now have new concern. Rack will make complete lock to lock revolutions, but when centered wheels are not correctly aligned. Soooo....I attempted to adjust the centering by dividing the lock to lock by two, then adjusting the tie rods accordingly. Ugh. No dice. Left side does not have enough threads to screw in far enough to straighten the wheel. Thoughts? The passenger side tie rod is brand new. Correct for this car. Double checked. I'm at a loss here..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickenman Posted August 10, 2016 Share Posted August 10, 2016 Steering wheel has probably been removed at some point and not indexed correctly. There should be an index mark on the top steering of the steering shaft that points to 12:00 O-clock when rack is centered. Get that mark pointed straight up. Install your steering wheel so that it is level, and then adjust your wheel alignment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
calZ Posted August 10, 2016 Share Posted August 10, 2016 Did this not crop up until you put the new brakes on? Is your steering wheel on straight? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marinez Posted August 10, 2016 Author Share Posted August 10, 2016 No this issue was there prior. I noticed it wasn't at full lock right and then investigated from there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
74_5.0L_Z Posted August 10, 2016 Share Posted August 10, 2016 First, jack up the car and support on jack stands. Remove clamps from the boots on rack. Pull boots off rack housing and slide the boots outward to expose rack shaft on both sides of housing. Next, center the rack so that the same amount of rack shaft is exposed on both sides (2.39 inches measured between the housing and inner tie rod body to be precise). The rack in now centered. If the steering wheel is not centered, then remove and reinstall in correct orientation. Adjust toe with rack in centered position described above. I have spacers that I place over the rack shaft to keep it centered during to alignment. I make absolutely sure that the rack is centered. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewZed Posted August 10, 2016 Share Posted August 10, 2016 You could follow the instructions in the Steering chapter. Apparently there are two "punch" marks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marinez Posted August 10, 2016 Author Share Posted August 10, 2016 Thank you. I'm navigating my way through this with all of your help. Will send info on end result Friday AM. SSGT OUT Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marinez Posted August 12, 2016 Author Share Posted August 12, 2016 Well it's not quite right. With 2.39 on either side it's way off center. I tried adjusting it out but the left hand tie rod is bottomed out. After further research, I've noticed that the crossmember has been modified. Looks extended on the right hand side and the front suspension has two pieces of half inch by two plate between it and the unibody mounting points. Uggg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
74_5.0L_Z Posted August 12, 2016 Share Posted August 12, 2016 Pictures would make this whole conversation meaningful and allow us to be helpful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marinez Posted August 12, 2016 Author Share Posted August 12, 2016 I will attempt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marinez Posted August 12, 2016 Author Share Posted August 12, 2016 Best I can do at present. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marinez Posted August 12, 2016 Author Share Posted August 12, 2016 Let me know if it uploads. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marinez Posted August 12, 2016 Author Share Posted August 12, 2016 Still trying. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marinez Posted August 12, 2016 Author Share Posted August 12, 2016 If you look to the left of the steering rack boot you'll see the modified area. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewZed Posted August 12, 2016 Share Posted August 12, 2016 Do you mean that the crossmember has been lengthened, where I marked it? Those welds? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marinez Posted August 12, 2016 Author Share Posted August 12, 2016 Yes. I'm so disheartened. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marinez Posted August 12, 2016 Author Share Posted August 12, 2016 The rack has been shifted left. I get full lock left (of course) but partial lock right. Just sucks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewZed Posted August 12, 2016 Share Posted August 12, 2016 Weird. Did somebody do some funky body work under? Is that even the stock 280Z crossmember? You might open up the Body chapter and take some measurements. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marinez Posted August 12, 2016 Author Share Posted August 12, 2016 I am not sure. Do you think it's possible to pick up a tie rod end that fits into the spindle that would be similar to a race car style, adjustable a bit more? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewZed Posted August 12, 2016 Share Posted August 12, 2016 I would take some measurements and see what you're dealing with. Maybe somebody repaired a damaged crossmember. I underlined two simple ones, one between the rails and one to the crossmember mount bolt heads. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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