Hey all,

My 1984 Z51 has a 5-10 degree dead zone. I did some research on the forum and narrowed it down to a few things. The vibration isolation unit is what I thought it was for a few weeks until Tuesday when I finally got someone to turn the steering wheel while I was looking at the intermediate shaft. While the rubber isolation piece (bushing?) is missing, the pin does not move from the center during turning. Not sure how, but it stays put. This recent evidence lead me to believe that it might be the rack and pinion. I carefully put a wrench on the nub sticking out of the rack with the shaft removed, and there appeared to be some slack when turning. It's difficult for me to tell for sure. Further research showed that the rack can be the source of a dead zone.

Today, I went in search of a steering rack. Older threads indication that the local stores should be able to help me out for around $150. NAPA and O'Reily's were the only stores that claimed that the part could be ordered. In person, both told me that they could not order the part. Not from another store, not from the warehouse and not from the manufacturer. Same from the dealer. Rock Auto is out of stock and expensive. Amazon has , which is similar in price to Rock Auto, but there are no reviews and few details. Zip (1) isn't too bad, but is out of stock and has a large core charge. Ecklers (2) has an even larger core charge. Mid America (3) is similar to Zip. Turn One (4) also has rebuilding services for $250-$400ish. Central (5) also appears to have a rebuild service. There is also the possibility of rebuilding it myself, though I would need some special tools AFAIK.

In short, are there any methods I can use to be 100% sure that the steering rack is at fault? The investment looks like it is going to be large enough that I would like to be sure.
And which of the vendors should I use/avoid? I'm leaning towards Ecklers or Mid America.

Thanks!

EDIT:
I guess the links didn't survive publication?
(1) http://www.zip-corvette.com/84-85-w-...ufactured.html
(2) https://www.ecklerscorvette.com/corv...1984-1985.html
(3) https://www.mamotorworks.com/Corvett...built-670500-1
(4) https://www.turnone-steering.com/pag...lding-services
(5) https://www.corvettecentral.com/c4-8...f%3fcount%3d18

 

Having been through this before, just send your rack to turn one right off the get-go. I hunted down a z51 rack for my non z51 car, paid out the *** for it, and it leaked the day I put it in. It was supposedly a remanufactured unit, from a Corvette parts house.

Fast forward two years and I'm sick of this rack leaving puddles of power steering fluid every time I park, so I rip it out and send it to turn one. They open it up and discover that all of the internals are corroded and unable to be used for a rebuild. I then track down another z51 rack and send it directly to turn one in hopes that they can salvage the internals from it and build me a good rack out of the two. They were able to use the internals from the other rack, and get me a functioning one. All said and done it cost me about $1,200 to have my steering converted to the fast ratio. Since you already have the fast ratio I would just spend 250 and send it off.

 

You might try cleaning your rack first. If you search these threads for power steering rack there is 1 that a member who used 50% acetone and ATF mixture to flush and clean out his rack. Might be worth to try first before spending money on a different 1.

 

Mine is coming out and going to TurnOne this winter when the salt hits the roads. I will get my Exact rack back which I know it fits perfectly. I've read many stories about buying one from any of those companies and they don't fit, have different specs, leak etc. Save the hassle and expense do it right the first time.

 

One more thing regarding the Power Steering Rack and Pinion. Keeping the Power Steering fluid "cool" will make your rack and pinion last a whole lot longer. After speaking to a P/S re-builder I was told that if the power steering fluid gets too hot it causes the seals to fail.
If you are going to autocross or race your Corvette you might consider adding a cooler to your Power steering fluid or a larger reservoir to help the fluid stay cool.
I change the fluid every five years with nice fresh QUALITY power steering fluid. Inexpensive prevention!
Good luck with that swap, it looks like a "real" project!

 

If you end up sending the unit to Turn One, MAKE SURE you specify with them the rack was double checked for leaks after they perform their pressure test on their simulator. I know that sounds silly but I got mine back from them and installed it with one of their recommended steering fluids and I've got a small leak from what I think are one of the hard line fittings. Could be a simple case of a little extra torquing of a fitting...haven't felt like cramming my hand and a flare wrench in there to address it but after the time frame to get the rack back and the money spent, would've been nice to have it leak free.

 

Thanks for all the advice guys!
Sounds like I'll just keep driving it until winter and then save my pennies to send it to Turn One.

 

Another vote for Turn One.

 

Got mine from Zip Corvette with a similar experience (replacement leaked, needed the replacement back before they sent a new one, etc).

At the same time, I had Turn One rebuild my power steering pump, I wish I had got the rack from them too. Junior provides outstanding communication and customer service. Not cheap, but I think you get what you pay for in this case.