^^ Yes that is the steering box, before they mounted rack and pinion. I have the same setup on my '81. It was a biotch to install a header on it before. It is easier with rack and pinion steering.

 

Damn, why can't you have some good news for me...

see next project

 

the switch to R&P is a simple one. The rack is SOOOOOOOO much lighter than the box set up too. Granted i liked the feel of the early system, but no way was that turbo gonna fit unless i converted to R&P.

As for that ball joint, if you mushroomed the tip then its not gonna come out with a fork. You might have to cut the head off the threaded part of the ball joint and then possibly even drill it out.

 

I wasn't able to even budge it with the fork, so the mushroomed end wasn't even an issue at that point. I did just cut the end off and just drill the rest out, which is what I should have done in the first place. lol

Thanks to everyones help the driver's side is all done, on to the passenger's side

 

So much for that fork




ball joints 2
fork 0

 

yeahhh..... ^^^^^^ what the hell did you do? lol, i think it might be time for professional help of for a whole new piece

 

What I did was try to use the fork to separate the ball joint from whatever that piece that it mates to is called. The bond between the ball joint and that piece was stronger than the fork. The fork bent, the ball joint didn't budge. Then I took out a drill and a 5# mallet and made short work of removing it like i did with the previous one. Now my front suspension is finished and I'm gonna start the rear today.

 

I converted my '82 280ZX to manual steering. No power now... Damn those fat sticky tires are gonna be a biotch in a parking lot...

Freed up a pulley on the damper so I could convert to the euro version too.

It's good to see you're making progress!

Cheers,
LWW