280ZX Steering Box and Frame Reinforcemnt

[Mr. Tyler]

I have a 1979 280zx with the power reciprocating ball steering box. Also, I have tokico lowered springs, tokico shocks (adjustable on front), eibach swaybars, bump steer spacers, adjustable eccentric front control arm busings, and techno toy tuning adjustable tension compression rods.

I was doing a "garage alignment" last weekend and looking for loose steering joints. I found the idler arm bushings need replacing.-done. I also found that the the steering box flexes the uni-body frame rail considerably. This is pretty scary. Is anyone else experiencing this?- have someone turn the wheel back and forth with the car sitting on the ground and watch for steering box movement and chassis flex. If you post, please list the year of your vehicle- I wonder if Nissan corrected this before going to power rack and pinion in 1982.

I decided to reinforce this area with some 3/16" plate. I cut one piece that will fit between the steering box and the chassis (I'll have to align again). A portion of it is bent 90 degrees to follow under the frame rail. A second piece will fit to the outside of the chassis (inside the fender well).- I'm not sure if I'll use this second piece, I need to see what the first peice does. I still need to fit them up and drill the steering box holes. I don't think I'll weld them in place, but instead use some bolts. If there is interest in this mod I'll post pics.