Z52 Steering Question!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2007
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From: Tampa Florida
Car and Driver's review of Z51 V.S. Z52: http://www.caranddriver.com/buying_g...ature/(page)/1
Z52 was optional in 87 & 88: steering wheel turns 2.5 turns lock to lock
Z51: steering wheel turns 2.75 turns lock to lock
Z52 was optional in 87 & 88: steering wheel turns 2.5 turns lock to lock
Z51: steering wheel turns 2.75 turns lock to lock
Last edited by engle1147; Oct 23, 2008 at 09:32 PM. Reason: I screwed up the h-link
Pro
Joined: Oct 2008
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From: Jyväskylä, FINLAND
I think my previous '87 with Z52 turned even 2 turns, if I remember correctly.
The present '91, which turns a bit over 2 rounds, feels definitely 'slower'. This could also be partly due to the bigger steering wheel.
The present '91, which turns a bit over 2 rounds, feels definitely 'slower'. This could also be partly due to the bigger steering wheel.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,642
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From: One day you're a Comet...the next day you're dust... Arkansas
Car and Driver's review of Z51 V.S. Z52: http://www.caranddriver.com/buying_g...ature/(page)/1
Z52 was optional in 87 & 88: steering wheel turns 2.5 turns lock to lock
Z51: steering wheel turns 2.75 turns lock to lock
Z52 was optional in 87 & 88: steering wheel turns 2.5 turns lock to lock
Z51: steering wheel turns 2.75 turns lock to lock
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 552
Likes: 2
From: Dubuque Iowa
I did a little more research and from what I can tell I got screwed... This sucks because I have already had them change the rack twice. Once because mine was old and leaking, the second time because the part they sold me was leaking... and I'm pretty sure that part turned 2 times lock to lock.
I'm ganna feel like a dick going back there and telling them they f'd up again, I honestly think they are sick of me and my red corvette haha!
I'm ganna feel like a dick going back there and telling them they f'd up again, I honestly think they are sick of me and my red corvette haha!
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 9,715
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From: Kempner Texas
One of my parts catalogs - Summit Racing, Corvette Central, Eckler's, Mid-America - lists the ways to determine a Z51 suspension.
I believe it's listed toward the center of the catalog, I just forgot which cat it's in.
My 86 had Z51 and the steering was right at 2-1/4 turns, lock to lock.
To be perfectly honest about it, I wasn't all that happy with the 2-1/4 lock/lock setup. It made steering movements very abrupt. In other words, only a small steering wheel movement gave BIG results.
It scared me a few times in semi-emergency situations, like when a car moved over into my lane right in front of me w/o warning.
Another time was when I was driving down the interstate several car lengths behind an 18-wheeler that changed lanes. Then, suddenly, there was an aluminum ladder spread across my lane. He saw it and moved over to another lane but by the time I saw it I had less time. A quick movement of the steering wheel gave instantaneous response but was very un-nerving.
Jake
I believe it's listed toward the center of the catalog, I just forgot which cat it's in.
My 86 had Z51 and the steering was right at 2-1/4 turns, lock to lock.
To be perfectly honest about it, I wasn't all that happy with the 2-1/4 lock/lock setup. It made steering movements very abrupt. In other words, only a small steering wheel movement gave BIG results.
It scared me a few times in semi-emergency situations, like when a car moved over into my lane right in front of me w/o warning.
Another time was when I was driving down the interstate several car lengths behind an 18-wheeler that changed lanes. Then, suddenly, there was an aluminum ladder spread across my lane. He saw it and moved over to another lane but by the time I saw it I had less time. A quick movement of the steering wheel gave instantaneous response but was very un-nerving.
Jake
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,642
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From: One day you're a Comet...the next day you're dust... Arkansas
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 552
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From: Dubuque Iowa
Haha For Sure! But anyway I went to the Chevy Dealer today and discused it with them. Here are my results:
We found that Z52 comes with 2 rotations lock to lock.
Base Models come with 2.5 rotations lock to lock.
(These figures are right off the computer at the dealer so who ever says anything else is wrong, at least for an 87 corvette.)
The crazy thing about my situation is they ordered the correct Z52 rack for me, but some how part numbers or somthing got switched so I ended up with a base model rack.
Lesson of all of this is if you replace your rack, check for your self if you got the right one!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,043
Likes: 8
From: Tampa Florida
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,043
Likes: 8
From: Tampa Florida
According to the info on the "vital statistics" (pdf) on the car & Driver link the Z51 & Z52 have the same steering ratio...they also list the base model ratio which is different from the others. So I'm not sure why the stops/lock to lock are different between the Z51 & Z52?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 552
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From: Dubuque Iowa
I have to wait for my new rack to come into the dealership now... Why do GM warehouse parts take liek a week and a half or more to get?!
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 552
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From: Dubuque Iowa
Yes you can get the fast ratio for 93-96 vettes (2 turns lock to lock). My guess would be that yours is the fast ratio, but is worn out and a little sloppy so it has a 1/4 inch of play in it.
Last edited by ride250s; Nov 29, 2008 at 01:27 PM.
