Hi All

 

In a previous post, i sought advise on problems with stability on my Zed.....

 

I had Darren (Zed Guru) go over my motor today. He has recommened the following require a change: (i)Rear sub frame bushes, (ii) Rear hicas steering rack. (Hence the problem with stability!!)

 

Any ideas where I get these parts from ?? The rack will have to be 2nd hand as a new one costs 1K+vat. (Beginning to wonder why i never stuck to my corolla diesel....lol)

 

CheerZ

just a thought...but if you've not had the car long and you bought it from a dealer...take it back.

 

they basically have to fix things that shouldn't reasonably break or be broken.

 

that's why you pay more.

 

(sorry to anyone who might work in car sales)

 

if you bought it privately this doesn't help. so i'll shut up ;o)

Bought the car privately. I got the car fairly cheap expecting a few problems though. These things tend to go with wear an tear.......(i hope)

thats fair enough.

 

just a mate of mine bought an elise, and the suspension was, well, 'clattery'. he was going to get it _all_ replaced. but i told him to speak to the garage that sold him the car and they did it all for him. for nothing.

 

he was quite pleased.

 

but due to the experience I've had regarding this, I'd probably be doing the same as you. Buy cheaper and expect a few problems. Especially because you know (or at least hope hope) that the work you have done will be done properly. Rather than the work done by the garage that are sick of the sight of you and bodge it.

 

still, saved my friend a few thousand. he'd got it booked in for the work and everything...;o)

The steering rack costs a lot of money I think. When I bought my Z (privately) he told me that the rear steering has been disabled. Hmmm? Why? Cost too much to get it fixed he said. He showed me the recipts of the costs for the job. £1600. He had new custom rear suspention made for it. The adjustment to the rear piping cost a few over £300. So if disabling HICAS cos £1600 I cant imagine how much it cost for a new rack or second hand one.

I was looking into getting it sorted but even before I started to add the cost of getting it done it was way too much for me.

Also the person I bought the car off says it handle considerably better with the HICAS off. I have also heared this off people who have had it dont on Twinturbo.net

 

Stuart

 

------------------

Aztec Red

UK 91

Manual TT

Hi,

 

I've got the bits you're after (I dismantled my Z a few months ago) and I live only 5 mins from Darron. Darron can even check my bits out before you buy them (hes bought loads of stuff off me). If you're interested the call me on 01634 221783 or email me geewhizz@onetel.net.uk.

 

Thanks

 

Andy

Are you sure it's the HICAS steering rack itself and not the HICAS steering rods?

They wear out at the ball joint (in the picture below) and cause a play in the steering.

 

I bought the rods for like 40$ a piece.

 

Maciej

And if it *really* is the rear steering rack (not the ball joints as Maciej suggested) then Stillen sell a Hicas eliminator kit for about $400

 

So Stuart - I think the prev owner of your car was ripped off.....

 

Az

 

------------------

Stage: Rather Ill

whats the part number viking i need

Well Az, I didnt pay for it so I aint bothered. But all the disc, pads and clipers where replaced at the same time totaling £500 +VAT, the suspention was £295 +VAT, so I think he wasnt prepaired to pay an extra £xxx becuase he is already paying over a grand.

I had a converation with some one about it. Cant remember who, and they said that if I wanted it back on I would need the rack and 2 new boots to start off with. That will cost load.

Any way!

I happy with my car. It gripps like shit to a blanket. and pisses on 200SX like last night. Hehehehe

 

Stuart

 

------------------

Aztec Red

UK 91

Manual TT

Are the hicas steering rods a big mission to fit, as i think i need some.

Where can i get and what is part number thanks

Warren,

I don't have the part number in my head but I can check it when I get home.

Fitting is not so complicated but the threads can be hard to budge.

Take a look in the service manual.

 

The thing is that both the rods are attached to the axle that goes

through the HICAS rack.

When you're turning one of them, the other will turn as well.

You gotta come up with some smart solution to keep the thing still.

 

Maciej

Does anyone know if the rear steering rack on a 91TT Import is the same as a 93TT (UK Spec)??? I have sourced one locally, but am not sure if its the right stuff

I suspect the year is more important than whether it's a UK/Jap. There were HICAS changes between Series I & II, which would have hapenned in early-mid '92.

Yes about 1993 didnt the HICAS go from power steering driven to mechanical. That may have caused a difference.

 

Stuart

 

------------------

Aztec Red

UK 91

Manual TT

The part numbers are (largely) the same (check tt.net's microfiche) until 1993 when the entire system whent to mechanically actuated (electical) HICAS instead of hydraulic HICAS.

 

Az

 

------------------

Stage: Rather Ill

I had new rear sub-frame bushes fitted to my car, so far so good.

 

Got them from www.suspension.com, make sure they send you the special grease with em.

The HICAS rods (or "sockets")have the part no.:

48521-35A06

 

They were 40$ at www.ultimatez.com (same price as Courtesy).

 

Maciej

Thanks for the comments guyZ. I have ordered the complete poly. bush set from Z centre which include the subframe bushes.

 

Regarding the HICAS rack, i am still a little baffled as some people seem to think the pre and post 1993 rear HICAS rack are different, and some say they are the same. Not sure what to do here as I can get a 90/91 Hicas systems, however am finding it difficult to source a 93 bit.

 

Also, is there any difference in the brake calipers on the series I and II ?

 

CheerZ

Re: Calipers.

 

I'm sure I will be corrected if I'm wrong but I think that the calipers were changed from Alloy to steel/cast, from Mk1 - II.

 

Is this right guyz?

 

Tim

The rotors had some changes, and in 1993 the calipers changed from steel to iron.

 

This chart, which will no doubt get munged by posting here, shows the year by year differences for the US models. I'll try to reformat it and post it another way.

 

Year Modifications

1990 non turbo begins production in Spring '89 -- TT begins in the Fall. Extended model year sales: 39,290

1991 Manual climate controls discontinued (but used on future convertible). New electronic climate controls allowing control over air flow direction, but no more ambient temp gauge. Air Conditioner evaporator valve changed from aluminium to steel to quiet it.

Nissan hamburger logo put on nose of car.

Driver's air bag optional

Front non turbo rotors -Overall thickness 26mm were changed to TT units- overall thickness 30mm.

CD Player option added for both TT and NA. Previously only available in NA. Bose stereo head-unit changed (new unit has fader/balance controls). 5-Speaker Bose system discontinued. Logo on floor mats changed from "300ZX" to simply "Z". Hardtop coupe available at mid-year (NA only).

Brake master cylinder changed to new unit in Feb. 1991.

Sales: 17,652

1992 Driver's air bag made standard.

Dash/door complimentary material changed from fabric to 'Alcantara'(synthetic suede).

Separate mirror heater switch eliminated (combined with rear defroster switch)

Mirror heaters made standard.

Power-adjustable driver's seat standard on t-top. Door lock mechanisms changed such that you no longer had to hold the door handle up when closing the door.

Power locks made fully synchronous (the passenger switch can control the driver's lock)

Sales: 6,708

1993 Turbo oil line insulation changed for better heat dissipation.

Convertible option added (only avail. with manual climate controls).

Brake calliper material changed from aluminium to iron to help warping/shimmy problems.

AIV/reed valves removed. (Source: JWT -- unconfirmed)

Sales: 11,599

1994 Rear spoiler design changed to a higher/bigger pedestal unit, increasing drag coefficient slightly.

Super HICAS system changed to an electrically-actuated unit (previously oil pressure actuated).

Seat belts redesigned. Moved from door-mounts to true pillar-mounts.

Passenger air bag made standard.

Keyless entry added.

Titanium keys discontinued in Nov. 1994.

Off-white 'Pearl' colour is dropped. Future 'pearls' are more of a semi-metallic white.

Upgraded Bose stereo made standard (may have happened in '95).

Convertible gets standard power passenger seat.

Front fascia becomes body-colored instead of grey strip.

Keyhole light eliminated.

Sales: 5,320

1995 Body colored front-bumper facia and roof rail for the convertible

Special 25th Anniversary gold paint available.

Bose stereo head-unit changed again. New unit has Scan function, pixelated display, and better bass sound quality.

'Reset' button removed from dash clock (may have happened in '94).

Sales: 3,135

1996 Variable cam timing 'quietly' dropped due to smog regulations, reducing 5-speed engine output to 280HP. Different cams installed. OBD II electronics introduced.

Driver's seat back rest no longer includes adjustable side bolsters(also true on some '95 models).

"Special Edition" Sales: 30

 

Now this has got to be better :-

 

Mods Year by Year for US Models

 

 

[This message has been edited by AndyP (edited 05-10-2001).]