ACE1252

Well, my problems continue.

I got my rack replaced and the steering wheel is now centered. However I have a major problem. The steering effort is waaay too easy(steering too light). I mean it's like the wheels are not even on the ground. It's almost to the point to where you can barely touch the steering wheel and it takes off on it's own.

I've never run into this before. My first thought is that the power steering pump is putting out too much pressure or volume. This might explain why my old rack developed leaks out both ends of the rack. The pressure was too high(that was one of the strange things with the old rack....steering got abnormally easy).

I've never run into a situation where steering got easier. Everytime I've had pump problems, my steering effort has always gotten my harder. I'm almost at a loss.

At this point, I think I'm going to change the power steering pump. There is really no way that the rack can cause this is there?

One other question...can someone check how many turns of the steering wheel it is from lock to lock on a Z28(or from center to left lock and center to right lock)?

My understanding is that there is a difference between a V6 rack(except for Y87 option) and a V8 rack(ratio differences). With that...I find it disturbing that the Autozone website lists the same rack and pinion part number regardless of which engine you choose.

ACE1252

I may have a partial answer to my issue. In talking with my Dad, he suggested that I had a bushing move that originally changed the steering under braking and that's very possible since the bushings were recently replace with moog parts(they have not rusted into place yet). In further conversation, he made mention to check the steering rack ratio.

I did not physically check it because the part numbers on the racks were the same. However, I did get to Autozone before they shipped off my old rack. The ratio of my old rack is higher than this new one with the same number. It appears that the new rack is a V6 ratio rack. I promptly reclaimed my old one and gave them back the new one. They are getting another one to see if it's ratio is different.

From what I can tell, my Z28 rack is just a hair over one turn from center to either full lock right or left.

The new rack they gave me was 1.5 turns to the right from center and 1.25 turns to the left from center.

Can someone, who has a known Z28 stock rack, please check their Z28's steering from center to left and center to right. I just need to know how many wheel revolutions it takes. I'm trying to save others from this headache. I would check, but my replaced my original stock rack 4 years ago.....so I have only this replacement I bought to check the ratio.

NJ-LE

ACE1252:
I have less than 1.25 turns from center to either full left or right. More like 1.125 turns. Essentially, 2.25 turns lock to lock.

ACE1252

Cool, thank you very much for checking!

That is what I have on my first rack from Autozone, from a few years ago. However, this latest one is around 3 turns lock to lock. I think they are mixing the V6 and V8 racks when rebuilding them....not good.

NJ-LE

ACE1252:
I think the Z28s have a tighter steering ratio than most vehicles and Autozones rebuilder is trying to do the old "one size fits all" to reduce the number of different racks they have to carry. At one time the parts counter books would all have a section in the back that listed all the applications for any part number. (I wonder what other cars/trucks use the rack they first gave you)

ACE1252

Just some FYI.

I had my brother check his '99 V6(his rack is stock). He has 1.25 turns from center to left and 1.25 from center to right. So the V6 rack in a 99 is just a little more than my Z28.

I'm not sure what car that rack(the Autozone one) belonged on...but it was not for a Z28. That much is for certain. We just need to be careful and check them out (ratio) if your going to get one from these places(Autozone, Advance, Napa, etc). They are all just listing one rack for the 4th gen Camaro.

jgs1

So your saying just by changing your rack,your steering effert was greatly reduced?,cause that is exactually what I want for my 94z,mine steers harder than my semi-truck lol,but really,it's pretty stiff,I'm bulding mighty arms,but not from the truck lol.please send me an answer at jgs1@woh.rr.com thanks

pgerst

Pretty sure the FE2/4/7 RPOs all have the same ratio, 14.4 or 2.3 turns; the base V6 is 16.9 or 2.67. The y87 had 2.3 in the V-6 but don't think that rack fits in the V-8s.

rv93

just checked mine, and its one turn and a bit under an eigth from center to either side