260z Elec Power Steering

[SeanDezart]

True, pulling one without pushing is only half the job. Good luck with the DIY !

 

[STEVE BURNS]

I can turn the wheels on tarmac whilst stationary with my little finger.

Ok, I'm boasting but it is THE way to update a Z now ! .

Oh well So the 280ZX did point the way how many years ago and a lot of the earlier Z owners poo pooed it for having power steering

 

[SeanDezart]

Those same owners are getting older......besides Steve, my 280ZX WITHOUT power steering is also nice to drive ! The other one was converted from early to later type PS.

 

[zeeman1972]

Steve
I cant believe you haven’t got one sorted yet
Don’t you have a unit sat in the corner after all?

Wyn,
Yes still have both units in a box (as with most parts for the 280Z) but haven't had time to touch the car in over 18 months

I think deciding to do my own loft conversion, side & rear extensions (including another garage), taking voluntary redundancy, starting my own business and trying to stay married has been a little too much to chew

She'll still get finished, but when I can enjoy doing it and dedicate some quality time.

 

[Dave J]

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]

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

Cheers for the heads up Dave
You got me worried there lol.
So to be sure I pulled it apart again today to check
Not sure about a 240 column but the 260's inner shaft can only be pulled out approx 3-5mm before its attached steering lock sleeve hit’s the pressed column indents. So unless im very wrong the inner shaft could never be pulled out more the that amount?
Sure I haven’t measured the amount the Corsa inner to outer shaft engages but it must be more then 5mm?

 

[Wyn]

Still whilst it was apart I decided to have a play with repositioning/ rotating the column assembly
In the hope to swing the motor enough so it would clear the heater vent and make it look a tidier install to boot
Cant say I got very far cos of the rain but I think it should now end up a neater fit

Also had a go at making some sort of lower steering uj

Still needs finishing/ welding as well as bushing but it gives me an idea of how I think it might look/ work?

 

[Dave J]

Good one, the 240 does'nt have the raised steering lock sleeve and there is nothing on the column or in the sleeve to stop the corsa joints pulling apart without further mods. Nice Job

 

[Wyn]

Atlast, a day off and some day light to have another go at repositioning it yet again

And so from this .....

To this ......

Not so obvious but atleast it should end up a tidier fit now, esp without that great big motor sticking out lol

Still waiting to get it welded aswell as finish bits n bobs but its getting there

And then as usual

It sleets n snows

So sod laying on me back in the snow aswell so it can wait till the suns out

 

[zedhead260]

Is it still in the way of the heating duct ?

 

[Wyn]

Is it still in the way of the heating duct ?

Nope, clears fine now.
If you look at the pics above you can see the inner column/ motor assembly has been rotated upwards so the motor now clears the vent outlet pipe.
Thats the screen vent pipe connected up in that pic. Handy as it now masks the motor

 

[260Z TT]

Looking good Wyn, I might be interested in that setup too, when you finalise it all!
Mark.

 

[Wyn]

Looking good Wyn, I might be interested in that setup too, when you finalise it all!
Mark.

Mark being the honest man I am the lot shouldn’t cost that much assuming you are doing a like D.I.Y install as well?
Corsa power columns can be had on eBay for around a ton, (or less if you know a good breaker) but make sure they’re complete with the ECU etc else they aren’t worth a light!
I brought a 2nd hand 260z column from PMAC (in case it went horribly wrong lol) but there’s no reason why you couldn’t use your own?
The control units can be had from £40 upwards depending on quality you want?
I paid double that for the type I used but then I think they are worth the extra as they are so well made and came with all the bits required. Those cheap ones just look tacky imo and look poor?
The rest is just time and finding buddies who will machine/ weld the bits up for you?
I’m 90% done n think mine now stands me in about £250 - £300 ish ?
Shafts still need welding n I need to make some sort of bottom mount to carry the motor, so at a guess the lot might end up at £350 - £400? In terms of total costs, but then it's not finished so it may end up more?
Obviously labour doesn’t count as im doing it for the love lol

 

[Wyn]

Well its 99% fitted but its deffo not right
Switching the ignition on sees the steering comes to life
At standstill I can now turn the steering from lock to lock with just 2 fingers and palm it on the spot with ease !
But taking it out on the road the steering is orrible

For some reason when driving the steering feels ultra notchy, almost as if its got a tight spot every time the steering is moved?

Run out of time and day light yet again but atleast the main part and wiring is done now
Think I’ll need to get the lower uj assem modified/ rebushed again in the hope that will help ?

Not so obvious atleast, apart from that little blue knob

 

[datsun dave]

Great installation hope you get it sorted.

 

[Wyn]

Cheers Dave me to
Pulled it all out again tonight after trying diffo column steering angles, but it still has an initial tight spot so not sure whats up atm.
Atleast I have another column tucked away so may even try that as a last resort. Only thing wit that it does mean I'll need to cut the new unit up to get the Zed steering shaft back again
Nothins easy

 

[grolls]

Try slackening off the bolts that hold the rubber joint, if it resloves the problem, its just the UJ.

 

[Wyn]

What puzzles me tho Paul is that’s after the column load?
As I believe these columns are set to be torque/ load sensing they should then auto adjust output to suit?
After the wheel has been loaded/ moved slightly the steering turns fine as the motor compensates.
It’s the initial input from the steering that's wrong.

 

[grolls]

Are you sure that you have enough power to operate the system? Wiring etc big enough?

 

[Wyn]

Are you sure that you have enough power to operate the system? Wiring etc big enough?

Paul
As im sure you know electrics I’m deffo not up on but as this is a D.I.Y install I would guess yes lol.
To power the main steering motor I’ve used one of these 3 cables which are infact way heavier then the org GM cabling to the motor.

Motor earth is straight to the pedal box using the org GM cabling

As it is I had another play tonight with another std unmolested Corsa column, as well as mine and they both felt to have the same input feel. Tomorrow I hope to power them both up off the car to see if the feel remains the same.