I have about 20mm play in the sterringwheel when you shake the wheel with the ingintion off .could this be the bottom uj joint knackered is this a common fault or do these cars have a rubber ring half way up.I know the 200sx has one and they change it for a metal ring to make steering more resonsive.If its the lower uj is it a nissan dealer job to buy and what sort of a job is it to fit thanks taff.

no idea if they have a rubber ring but is it free play or is there just little resistance?

I think its free play if the rock the steering the front wheels dont move its about 20mm, passed that the wheels move .

i'd presume that if it was a rubber you'd still get a little movement at all increments. i'd go for UJ or rack but more likely UJ, i'd say, especially if the steering is slightly notchy st certain angles.

si.

Would says its lower uj,have changed mine recently,done 3 in total,very common fault,not cheap tho,think about £90,Mike at MJP can get you one.It only takes 10 mins to do,just remember to make sure stearing wheel does not move when you take it off,especialy if you have Hicas.

 

Tony :)

this might help :)

Thanks guys checked lower uj cant find much play in it looking at that pic it looks like there is a rubber ring where it goes threw the firewall is this the same as the 200sx metal one the drift boys use .I have checked the mounting bushes onto crossmember and rack feels nice and tight any ideas could it be the rack itself.thanks taff :)

Thanks guys checked lower uj cant find much play in it looking at that pic it looks like there is a rubber ring where it goes threw the firewall is this the same as the 200sx metal one the drift boys use .I have checked the mounting bushes onto crossmember and rack feels nice and tight any ideas could it be the rack itself.thanks taff :)

 

its not the same as the s13, it does have a second UJ coming through the firewall,but most commonly the excess load is applied to the lower, best thing to do is get car up at the front, get someone to hold one wheel whilst you apply turn on steering wheel, that way you can pinpoint where excessive play is coming from. possibly rack!

Just looking throw past posts and found this anybody no how to adjust free play in the rack.[changed my rack with another 2nd hand rack for what I thought was free play in the rack....only to find out the rack can be adjusted]

It is not the case of adjustment but there are ball joints and rods at each end of the rack which connect to the steering arms. These ball loints wear and you have to replace them. Kit from MJP is about £180 which inludes the rack boots, sadly it does not include new lockwashers, which become very deformed when unlocking and are quite difficult to reshape due to their thickness. Buy new, recommended.

The Z does have the rubber ring, I replaced mine with a steel disk to loose the play. They even have play from new.

Thanks what sort of a job is it to change that rubber ring with a metal one thanks taff.

Easy with the engine out! Probably be a real bugger with it in though.

Just had car jacked up with the wheels of the ground no play anywhere when i lower the car on its wheels and someone rocks the steering loads of play in the bottom uj where it bolts to the rack .I dont think ill be changeing the rubber ring its a nitemare to get to like said with engine in .Ill have to order a new uj from nissan, there seems alot of wear for a 80k car thanks for your help guys.

All three UJs i have changed only had about 5mm play in them when taken off,but this translates into far more play by the time it gets to steering wheel,and checking back all mine came off cars between 60k-70k so it seems fairly common around this mileage.

 

Tony

Just had car jacked up with the wheels of the ground no play anywhere when i lower the car on its wheels and someone rocks the steering loads of play in the bottom uj where it bolts to the rack .I dont think ill be changeing the rubber ring its a nitemare to get to like said with engine in .Ill have to order a new uj from nissan, there seems alot of wear for a 80k car thanks for your help guys.

 

at least its not the rack, count yourself lucky for that :cool: