'83 280ZX Steering rack options?

[Guest Anonymous]

I currently have a '83 280ZX with the stock power rack, is there an easy swap to a non-power set-up? (I know, nothings easy...). Or do most people just loop the hydraulic lines and run the stocker as a non-power rack? I tried the search function on this but could not find anything applicable. Thanks in advance for the help!

[Guest tom sixbey]

if you try to use a power assist zx rack without power, the wheel will be so hard to turn that the car will be undrivable (at least in my experience - check yours by turning the wheels with the engine off). If you find the steering weight to be acceptable, then you can plug off your power rack and drive it like that for a while - making the necessary adjustments to the castor angle to relieve some additional steering weight if necessary. This can all be done by any competant alignment shop. If however, you want the real deal - find a '79 or '80 280zx with a non-power assist rack and pinion steering system (there are still a few left - i've got one myself) - and take the necessary components from its steering system. If the front crossmembers are the same, (i think they are - right?) take the non-power rack, the rack brackets, the inner/outer tie rods, and the lower steering column (the shaft with the ujoint in it. - I believe the steering knuckles are the same. The lower column might be the same too - can someone verify this?

 

good luck - let me know what you find?

[Thumper]

Bump. I would like to know what is needed also. I'm about to replace my rack. I already have my power steering rack cut and looped and I don't mind the resistance but would like to save a few pounds so I'm going to swap the manual one. TIA