The rack and pinion converts the steering wheel's rotation into the side-to-side motion that turns the front wheels, and on a car the 280ZX's age it is the part that decides whether the steering feels like a sports car or a worn hinge. This is the power-assisted unit in hardened steel with rubber boots and seals, precision-machined gear teeth, the factory rack ratio of roughly 2.9 to 3.2 turns lock to lock for the balanced steering feel the S130 was known for, threaded hydraulic line connections, and bolt-on mounting at the OEM brackets, as the live page describes.
The live page describes the failure honestly: vague, unresponsive steering with play or dead zones at center, the product of forty-year-old seals, deteriorated bushings, and worn gear teeth. Power racks add their own tell, fluid weeping from the boots, which means the internal seals have surrendered and the assist will follow.
| Detail | Description |
|---|---|
| INCLUDED | The rack and pinion assembly with boots and seals; inner tie rods and bushings per the specific unit, confirmed at order per the page's varies-by-model note. |
| NOT INCLUDED | Outer tie rod ends, hydraulic hoses, power steering pump, fluid, and the alignment. |
| Tools You Need | Standard hand tools, a tie rod separator, line wrenches for the hydraulic fittings, and fresh power steering fluid per the live FAQ. |
| Detail | Description |
|---|---|
| Nissan 280ZX (1979 to 1983, S130) | Donor 1979; power steering cars |
| 280ZX Turbo (1981 to 1983) | Same chassis; confirmed at order |
| Manual steering cars | Different rack; not directly interchangeable, call first |
| Reference Application | 1979 Nissan 280ZX |
Call (240) 301-0095 with your year and whether your car has power steering. We confirm the rack, the tie rod and bushing details for the unit on hand, and the hydraulic line fittings before anything ships.
This is a used power rack, inspected before shipping:
| Steering Type | Power-assisted rack & pinion |
|---|---|
| Material | Hardened steel with rubber boots and seals |
| Bushing Type | Rubber or polyurethane mounts |
| Inlet Outlet | Threaded hydraulic lines (power steering models) |
| Mounting | OEM bracket alignment |
| Rack Ratio | Factory-correct ratio (~2.9-3.2 turns lock-to-lock) |
| Application | reference donor 1979 | Nissan 280ZX S130 |
| Sku | vaz657 |
| Price | $255.00 |
To file a claim, contact us within 15 days of delivery at (240) 301-0095 or support@vazautosolutions.com.
