mas8230 Posted August 29, 2004 Share Posted August 29, 2004 I installed the Hyperflex steering rack bushings that came with the master kit, and the mounting sleeves are as tight as can be. My steering rack floats when turning the steering wheel. I know the bushings only go on one way and they are on right, but these bushings are no where near as beefy as the bushings I removed. Any suggestions or similar problems? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedNeckZ Posted August 29, 2004 Share Posted August 29, 2004 You can shim them. Use a soft drink can or beer can and cut out small inserts from them. Then add them to the top of the bracket and tighten them down to specs. Shouldn't take more then one or two to do it. Try one set and do a road test and see if you will need more. Good Luck, Rich. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zcarnut Posted August 29, 2004 Share Posted August 29, 2004 Did you install the correct bushings? The 240Z, 260/280Z, and the 280ZX rack bushings are all slightly different. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
strotter Posted August 29, 2004 Share Posted August 29, 2004 I have the same problem on my '72. Yes, when installed correctly, the rack moves quite a bit. I had thought the poly got oily and softened, but when I disassembled it they were dry as a bone. I believe it's the source of my "darting around on rough road surfaces" problem. Other than finding better-fitting replacements, the spacer approach may be the only solution. However, there may be more than one way to apply shims: 1, Two wrapped around the rack itself (circular shims effectively increasing the radial compression on the rack), or 2, on the "ears" on either side of each bushing (flat shims increasing lateral compression on the bushing). I'm leaning toward the latter, as the former will increase stress on the bolts quite a bit. I'm not too worried about the rack rotating about its' long axis. zcarnut, IIRC, they sell them for 1st gen Zs as a group. Perhaps that's the problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drax240z Posted August 29, 2004 Share Posted August 29, 2004 It is very common to need shims in this application. Some of the energy suspensions bushings work tight, some don't. Shimming will fix it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mas8230 Posted August 29, 2004 Author Share Posted August 29, 2004 I found the problem. I was told that I had a '78 Steering Rack when he looked at it. I'll need '78 bushings !!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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