600Z Posted March 3, 2015 Posted March 3, 2015 I only really commented in this post in case people were not aware that any modification to the steering ,hydraulic or electronic needs to be approved if you want to keep it legal. If not and anyone is happy to take the risk that's fine too. It was just something that people should be aware of that was all and i didn't mean to upset anyone if i have. Quote
260DET Posted March 3, 2015 Posted March 3, 2015 Mentioning any potential problem is good, it's always up to the owner to decide which way he wants to go so the more info he has the better able he is to make an informed decision. Quote
Wayne G Posted March 3, 2015 Posted March 3, 2015 getting mods approved is always easier if you can use a complete system from another vehicle. I have done no research myself on the steering systems but how hard is it to install an electric column system from something like Hyundai? Quote
600Z Posted March 3, 2015 Posted March 3, 2015 Hello Wayne, yes it is easier if you use a complete or parts there of but once you start making or modifying things it gets a little more involved but not much. The main thing is if you do any welds on steering you need them NDT tested. The hardest part would be to find one that fitted, length, mounting points, clearances etc. Then even if you did find one if you want it to be legal it still has to go through vehicle modifications and inspected. As to if you change the rack to hydraulic you have mounting points, tie rods etc... Anything modified has to be applied, approved and inspected and any welds checked as well. This is why I went electric power assist, less work and less to go wrong and you don't change the geometry of the steering. But yes if you could find one that went straight in it would be easier then making one up. Quote
600Z Posted March 19, 2015 Posted March 19, 2015 Well vehicle modifications have given me the go ahead for my electric power assisted steering. Now when I get back home in 4 weeks I just have to get it inspected by my engineer which shouldn't be a problem and I'm set ????. Then the fun bit...... The wiring up so its speed sensitive. Best being careful not to let any smoke out of the electrics or wiring lol. Quote
Triptych Posted March 19, 2015 Posted March 19, 2015 That is awesome news to hear. I will be keeping an eye on this and I love that you using the speed sensor as that was my only problem with the kit from the US. Quote
600Z Posted March 20, 2015 Posted March 20, 2015 Hello again Triptych, Yes that was one of the two things I was not happy with about the units from the U.S. and Japan. I'm sure there very good as they do them for a lot of different cars as well it's just not how I would have done the lower section of the colunm. Mine is still collapsible but ridged as I'm not using two universals like I think there still using on those units. Not that I'm saying mine is any better, just done a little different. I'll start back on it in 4 weeks when I get back home and shouldn't take too long to get it in and going so I will let you know how it all goes. Justin. Quote
Triptych Posted March 20, 2015 Posted March 20, 2015 Well just so you know as long as I have the money you already have one kit sold. I am looking at getting my 260z 2+2 on the road by around christmas now seeing as though my purchase of a 240z fell through so all my money is now going into the 260z. Quote
600Z Posted March 20, 2015 Posted March 20, 2015 No problem Triptych, When I get it all checked by the engineer and passed by him I will flick you a couple of pictures of the finished colunm then it will be up to you if you want one. If you decided you want one made up there are a few things to consider. 1. I will supply a NDT certificate for the welds so we both know there are no problems with them and then it's up to you if you go through vehicle modifications for approval and have your engineer inspect it and added to a vehicle modification plate so it's legal. (You would need the NDT test certificate of the welds anyway in this case) 2. Then how you want it sitting under the dash, the motor of mine will be at this stage on the left of the column and pointing at about 45degs up to the left under the dash to make it harder to see, in my car there's enough room for it there, or horizontal like the ones from the states or Japan where you can see the motor, which would still be out of the way but more visible. 3. If I supply the column or you do. At this stage I don't have a spare one to convert but I'm looking for one so I can do exchange basis if I start making a few up. Also, I too like the ones from the states and Japan would state that it's only to be used for race applications and not for street use and recommend to have it approved by vehicle modifications, inspected by an approved engineer and added to the vehicle modification plate if being used for street applications and I hold no responsibility for any harm or damage that may occur from the use of it. Hope you understand but one has to cover themselves in this day and age if you can understand that. Not that I can see there being as if it fails it's just back to non-power steering and it's certainly very strong as I'm using all OEM items from a few different vehicles then cutting and joining them (interference fits and welded) together to make one. A lot less that can or could go wrong compared to hydraulic conversions and not much goes wrong with them. It would be a mirror copy of the one that I have done for my car that will be approved by vehicle modifications, approved engineer inspected, passed and added onto my modification plate making it legal to be used on the road in Australia. Below is a picture of it nearly finished and semi assembled. Justin. Quote
Graedat Posted April 2, 2015 Posted April 2, 2015 Justin, I am wanting to go this route and almost put the money down but I am just not ready yet. If I sent you a spare column how much would it be to convert? Cheers \Grae Quote
600Z Posted May 8, 2015 Posted May 8, 2015 Well the steering column is all finished and has been bolted into the car tonight, tomorrow the electrical side and then ready for the test driving....... Yahoo.... Quote
600Z Posted May 9, 2015 Posted May 9, 2015 Thanks Grae, its all in, wired up and if it wasn't raining i would be test driving it right now Oh well tomorrow is another day and i will know what its like to have power steering ; ) Horn is still off in the pictures in case I have to change the position but that's how it's sitting in the car. Quote
Graedat Posted May 9, 2015 Posted May 9, 2015 Its pooring here too. Let me know how you go and send me an email mate. Graezed@bigpond.com Cheers Grae. Quote
600Z Posted May 10, 2015 Posted May 10, 2015 Well this morning I took the zed off the stands and dropped it back on the ground, turned the ignition on to try the steering as its powered on the accessories and nothing........... I'm thinking oh no what's happened....... But then after about 5 seconds the steering comes to life, it must go through some self check when power up. Well from the Armstrong power steering using both hands and arms to turn the zed to now Turing it with pretty much one finger is just amazing to say the least. I could tell the difference in just backing out of the shed and idling up the driveway to the road. Turning a hard left out of the driveway to go up the road use to be a two hand/ arm mission and now to be able to use my right palm was so so strange but so good. Turning the steering was like driving a brand new car, so easy. The next big thing I noticed was the lack of tracking as I was going down the road where it use to want to follow and track every ridge or step in the road but now virtually nothing, all that tracking was gone. Then once out on the main road the first roundabout....... Well with the setup of the zed and its caster plus the bump steer spacers if I had let go of the steering wheel coming out of the roundabout I would have needed a neck brace considering how hard it use to straighten up, that too is now gone and a one hand operation. Since this morning I have taken it on two drives and I have to say I'm loving it, not hat I didn't love driving it before but it's different......... Instead of driving it, which is what was needed because of the 1975 Armstrong power steering now I can drive it with so much more ease allowing me to enjoy the handling and performance it has. Anyway I'm sure for the guys out there who has power steering they are well aware of what in talking about. Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.