260z Elec Power Steering

[grolls]

Wyn, TBH it looks a tad erm........rough. what are those 4 cables running? Go read the first part of my basic electrics re the hose pipe and you will understnd why I say that.

 

[Wyn]

Wyn, TBH it looks a tad erm........rough. what are those 4 cables running?

Paul
That's because it is, but as that isn't my handy work I don't feel so bad lol
As it is that just happened to be a handy live feed I found under the dash!
The upper red cable is a main live in to that splitter box which then feeds to a pair of stereo amps.
The 3rd live cable now feeds the steering motor. In the pic the main + may seem small but that cable is as thick as a starter live cable!
The 3 others are all much heavier gauge wires then the std GM supply uses. Maybe I am wrong but I deffo don't think that is the answer.
btw, and no I didn't have the stereo on either lol

Still I tried both mine and another unit off the car tonight but couldnt notice any diffo so started on cutting up another Corsa column
As and when I get the other bits I need I can start on a mk2 version and try them back against back lol

 

[Wyn]

Paul
As and when I get the other bits I need I can start on a mk2 version and try them back against back lol

And use a jump lead straight from the battery to be 100% sure

 

[grolls]

And use a jump lead straight from the battery to be 100% sure

I'd have a look at the Corsa wiring diagram just incase it had a capacitor fitted or an extra sensor ya missing.Other than that.....buy a Corsa...lol

 

[Wyn]

As and when I get the other bits I need I can start on a mk2 version and try them back against back lol

Oh yes, we have more parts thanks to Gwyn

Didn't last long mind

And an hour or two later say hi to it's twin

If only I could weld I know I would have the 2nd unit ready to go, but as it is I'll just pin the inner shafts for now.
And no I won't be trying to drive it like that, but it should give me an idea if theres any obv diffo

 

[grolls]

For some strange reason I feel that there should be considerable power on demand, check the Corsa wiring diagram anyway. Dont forget that the Alternator on the later Corser's would be ECU controlled so would copensate at an instant...more reasearch needed I feel, but I gotta give you credit!!!!!!!!!!!! Or perhaps you have the burnsie gremlin?

 

[Nigel Brook]

For some strange reason I feel that there should be considerable power on demand, check the Corsa wiring diagram anyway. Dont forget that the Alternator on the later Corser's would be ECU controlled so would copensate at an instant...more reasearch needed I feel, but I gotta give you credit!!!!!!!!!!!! Or perhaps you have the burnsie gremlin?

Perhaps a 280zx alternator with internal regulator?

 

[Wyn]

Cheers Paul/ Nigel
Tbh I’m 99.9% sure its got nowt to do with the power supply
To be sure a buddy who’s fitted one of these to a cossie confirmed they should work from battery power alone, without the aid of the engine even running!
I may be wrong but I have a theory the other unit may be faulty, as after I finalised the other column tonight an audible click from its potentiometer switch can be heard, whereas on the first one I built it is hardly audible?
Soon see

 

[SeanDezart]

Mine works off the batteries - don't need the ignition switched on ! And I haven't got a 280ZX alternator.

 

[Wyn]

Sean what system are you using and in what car?

 

[SeanDezart]

Sorry Wyn, I've signed the DJR secrets Act so try the man himself :

When I did this conversion I was concerned that the female and male splines could come apart below where you have welded the 260 shaft as it only has a nylon pin locating the 2 splines so unles you have delt with this you could get hold of the steering wheel and pull the 2 splines apart loosing the connection, I used a 240 set up so I may be missing something If you want to give me a ring
All the best Dave Jarman

 

[Wyn]

lol not looking for any trade secrets Sean (not that they wouldn't help ) but just what column type and control unit you are using?

 

[malcolmpaul]

All sounds very complicated to me, can,t you just fit a pump and rack off a later car?

 

[SeanDezart]

lol not looking for any trade secrets Sean (not that they wouldn't help ) but just what column type and control unit you are using?

Guys - it's being tried here because such a system is infinitely better than that of a late 280ZX ! (no offence to 280ZXs - it's just that technology has moved on !).

Wyn, ask The Man - even if I was allowed to tell, I probably wouldn't be able to explain it well enough for you !

 

[Wyn]

No worries Sean. Your secrets are safe kept away from me lol
Sure if I’m making a potentially dangerous mistake (like Dave pointed out earlier in this thread) then it would be nice to be told so, but as it is atm I’m happy to plod along n try it my way.
Maybe as and when I’ve finished I will ask Dave to see how his compares. Then kick myself lol

Still onwards n upwards
After re-examining and getting a second opinion on my effort of a lower uj through bulkhead to steering coupling it seems I made a bit of a booboo.

So tonight I cut it all apart again with the intension of rebuilding/ welded it so it runs a little truer lol.

 

[SeanDezart]

Don't get me wrong, even though I'd like that LSD, I want you to succeed in this endeavour......! My system cost DJ a lot of time, several wrong steps and me a fair bit of money. As I said, it's an electrically operated, hydraulically assisted, progressive power-steering with an on/off switch. I therefore have a pump, electric control and steering rack which aren't standard Z/ZX !

If you want/need more info - ask The Man because I don't think anyone else deserves to tell the story - I wish that you could drive mine to know - it's the wotsits !

Shame on all of you that said that Z power-steering is for wuffs and bearded men rolleyes - I reckon it has almost the same effect as semi-slick tyres on lap times !

 

[Wyn]

As I said, it's an electrically operated, hydraulically assisted, progressive power-steering with an on/off switch. I therefore have a pump, electric control and steering rack which aren't standard Z/ZX !

That being the case yours/ Dave’s? is a totally diffo setup from what I’m fitting?

Mine retains the std manual rack etc but just has an elec power column to give power steering

If/ as and when I get mine to work I can add a quick rack (if such a thing exists for a Zed) and hopefully adjust the effort out to suit.

 

[SeanDezart]

That being the case yours/ Dave’s? is a totally diffo setup from what I’m fitting?

Mine retains the std manual rack etc but just has an elec power column to give power steering

That's what makes your project all the more interesting - it could be applied to any Z and for much less than mine !

 

[Wyn]

So tonight I cut it all apart again with the intension of rebuilding/ welded it so it runs a little truer lol.

Square peg - round hole

This should help ...
Finally got it the lower coupling inner square shaft welded up so it could be machined back round, then pressed back into the outer lower shaft then rewelded.

Roll on the weekend

 

[Wyn]

Well its in n fitted again
Still notchie at first but miles better then before. Had it jacked up most of the time trying to see where the tightness was coming from
Hopefully after almost a day of tinkering I think I’ve sussed it. Seems if I loosen the lower column section where it bolts through the bulkhead the steering lightens up and the notchieness disappears. So I’m hoping its just preloading the lower steering bearing up as I tighten that part up. More adjustment needed me thinks.

As for driving it I honestly cant say how good it will be untill I sort this tight spot out, but as it is atm on straight fast A roads its poo - untill you get used to it, but taking it down B roads n on the twisties n giving it large around slow or modest bends it steers miles easier, like I don’t have to hold onto the steering wheel for dear life or put effort into it to turn unlike the std setup.
Btw, If I cant get it sorted by the next Santa pod round I think I’ll be letting someone else drive it up the strip, cos it staying in this time lol