z51 vs z52

[5pinball]

its geting time to replace rack on wifes 88 with z52 is there any dif between base and z52 if there is can base be substituted for z52 she would like easier steering thanks

 

[Eagle85C4]

Z-51 two turns of the steering wheel lock to lock

Z-52 21/2 or 2 3/4 turns lock to lock.

I do not know if they can be interchanged.

 

[vader86]

It can be interchanged, so long as you get one from the right year. I'm not sure what years after 88 are directly interchangeable, probably all of them, but i'm not sure.

84-87 racks wont interchange with 88.

 

[RedRagTop]

5pinball: I will have to replace the rack on mine as well soon.
1) Any ideas yet on costs/labour?
2) What symptoms did you note that prompted your decision to change the rack? Mine is getting stiff/notchy but still is very precise...
I plan to keep mine to Z52 spec...
Thanks
RJS

 

[5pinball]

It started making a groaning noise last winter on startup went away after warm up. I put Lucas ps additive and it cured it. At the time it had 74 or 75 k it now has 82k and 60 % Lucas in it but its noisy again due to cold weather. Rack 199.00 at advance parts. I will install so I don’t know what the labor would be. I have been quoted a total of $550 at a local tire shop, which includes parts, labor and an alignment. Car works perfectly once it is warmed up and I have no problems in warm weather, but you can only put in so much Lucas additive. IF I run 100% it would work perfectly but blow my power steering pump. According to factory rep it is too thick to run full strength.
I noticed that it gets a little chilly in Canada too. You might try adding a little Lucas and let it warm up before driving

 

[c4cruiser]

Once your steering starts to make noise and becomes difficult to turn the wheel (it's called "morning sickness") the only real way fo fix the problem is to R&R the rack. You might consider a new pump and hoses too. If they are OEM, those pieces are 15 years old.

Once concern I have always had when I think aobut the possibility of having to do this on my 87 is whether or not the parts stores can tell the difference in a Z51 or base rack by looking at it especially if it's a remanufactured part. Either rack will bolt in but how can you really tell if you got the correct rack until you turn the wheel??

I would definately replace the Z52 rack with another one as once a new rack is in place and a good alignment done, the steering effort will be much easier and the quicker ratio is worth any additional price. If a Z51 rack is the same price or close, I would go for that one. Steering effort should not be really noticable between them. The big difference will be between the bad one and a new one.

BTW, GM offers a "cold weather" PS fluid and you might consider using that fluid year-round.

 

[jsinga]

There is a code on the bottom of the rack in addition to the number of turns to identify the racks.
Z-51 and Z-52 have the fast ratio @2 1/4 turns
84-87 interchange. 88 and up there are some differences in ratios along the way, I don't know what they are.
Don't get a cheap rebuilt rack. Make sure the one you get has NEW inner tierods the racks from Advanced Auto parts have only the minimum parts replaced to get them out the door.

JS

 

[Eagle85C4]

Again.....
The Z-51 has 2 turns lock to lock...

The Z-52 has 2 1/2 to 2/3/4 turns lock to lock.

You can even read it out of the Mid America catalog as one of the ways to ascertain the difference between the Z-51 rack and the Z-52...