Steering question and general questions

[jhaag]

I converted my recirculating ball steering to rack and pinion steering (Datsun ZX) and something isn't quite right. It doesn't feel as smooth as it should, which could be due to the rack needing to be rebuilt, due to the new steering linkage I created (the car doesn't have a stock engine) or due to something else. Before having the rack rebuilt, could anyone recommend a steering expert in the Denver area who might be able to diagnose my problem?

On similar note, I really enjoy doing the work on my car myself but sometimes I just get stumped and occasionally could use a little guidance or brainstorming. I'm looking for someone who won't laugh at my attempts but instead who would guide me to doing my modifications the right way and who could explain why. I look at many online forums but I'm looking for someone who could eyeball things instead of my attempting to describe the problem in writing. A picture is worth a thousand words. The ZX doesn't seem to be much loved, even by Datsun fans. Right now I'm not comfortable driving the car anyplace until I get more feedback.

Thanks

John

[00 SS]

Maybe you could have 3R racing look at it and give you some hints. I know you don't wan to drive it, but maybe you could trailer it. I am a mechanical engineer, but I'm not a suspension designer so I don't know if I'd be much help to you. If you're attempting a swap like this on your own, you likely have a technical background and understand the principles behind these systems. Either that or you just have big brass ones to attempt a project like this on such a critical system on the car.