Header install/steering whacky HELP!
 

I had a friend install headers on my Z. Note: the engine was lifted. Bad news
Afterward, the steering wheel was 10 degrees right and was loose enough to bring almost back to center without much tire direction change. During brisk acceleration and moderate to heavy turn in/out the wheel also vibrates moderately..OH no!
I brought back to friend explained issue. Spent sometime on lift adjusting wheel/adjusting under the car near the steering shaft, etc. the way he corrected it which I’m learning now was not the right way was adjusting the steering wheel inside the cabin... what!?!?

My conclusion (hope this is the worst of it)
The male/female spines were not lined correctly and need to be fixed. With that in mind so does any adjustments made in the cabin to correct to steering to center.. oh my gosh!
Secondly, when the engine was set back down it was set to close to the steering assembly - hence the vibrations in the wheel under acceleration and right turns.

This is embarrassing for me to post. I lack knowledge and the experience. I will learn and be better!

I appreciate any and all input. Thank you! Stay safe/healthy!

I wouldn't call this guy a friend if he put you in this mess. I hope he isn't charging you for it :ugh:

Rather than continuing down this slippery slope of who-knows-what-else-he-might-fùck-up, you need to take it to a proper shop for a proper install. You're going to have to pay. Consider it the cost of a lesson learned.

Thank you for your input. Sadly, you are correct! I have learned a lesson. I paid generously too! I try to take care of people that help me. I paid for there time and efforts. I thought it was done correct just a quick detail missed when the steering was off center. Having not realized an actual issue until now. I was told that the suspension steering was out of whack because of the mounts that I should research motor mounts adjustable to resolve the issue. I have since ordered- MOTOR/TRANS mounts.I experienced wheel hop yesterday through the canyons... This is when it was clear to me. something was wrong. I do not drive the car much. Maybe 46 miles since the headers were done.

Ok. Which headers was install?

Did they remove the steering wheel shaft from the rack and pinion? That's all they needed to do to install the headers. There is no need to raise the engine up. Lifting the engine was a stupid move.

If they removed the lower steering shaft joint to install the headers. That joint will only go on one way. The rack shaft and joint are splined, and have a blank spot that lines up with each other. If they missed and forced the joint and shaft together. Your steering wheel could be off by 10 deg or more.

I have a feeling that they bent something. The right side install I can do under an hour. The left side takes about 5~6 hrs with lots of cussing.

If you have a dash light on. There is a sensor on the rack that needs reset. I had the local dealer do mine.

Motor and tranny mounts won't help with wheel hop. You basically have change all of the rubber bushings in the rear suspension with spherical bearing. Meaning that you have to buy the SPL catalog.

Far as I know. There is no adjustable motor mounts for the Z.

I’m with Rusty on this one. Should have only needed to disconnect the steering rack for figment and realign via the markings on reinstall. If this is not tightened to spec, it can cause a loose feel in the steering wheel (movement in steering wheel but not tires), even when the steering rack is properly aligned.

Maybe since Rusty has given you a good bit to go on, give him one more shot at fixing it? Otherwise, I'd tell him to either give me my money back or pay the bill for a shop to fix his mess.

Motordyne LTH w/ resonators was the part. I got a call at 8:00pm after they worked 10hours all day that they failed and would need to pull the engine to complete the install- they had issues with setting the drivers side header. The holes were not aligning. That is when I went there and for another 5 hours in the dark with minimal lighting/ outside no lift only on jacks the job was complete.
I’m not sure what was removed or not from steering rack I just know it was driving weird afterward and still vibrates today

I did heat wrap the headers and they claim the headers sit very close the the steering rack. I talked to tony at Motordyne today and he feels the engine needs go back up and see if can re set more properly maybe a bit more towards the passenger side and have another look at the steering issue

I hope nothing is bent but I won’t know until I can get a good look at it flouring the daytime.. or go to profession shop here in CA

My poor Z. THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR SUPPORT!

P.s- I went there to stop engine from being pulled! I was furious. I went there to make sense of what was going on and why so much trouble. They started from scratch on the drivers side and sure enough bolts and holes lined up. Success

Maybe due to lack of lighting/ tired it was just a combination of all the wrong things adding up. No lights on dash!

Your friends have no clue on how to do things. :facepalm:

Specialty Z is where you need to take your car. They are in Chatsworth. :tiphat:

Also helps to know when to pause a job and take it back up the next day when you're rested and refreshed. Seems to be a thing we only learn the hard way...

Same happened to me with my Stillen headers on my RHD 370Z. Apparently it's worse with a RHD car?
Anyway my shop was able to move and adjust a few things like the (stock) engine mounts, (not the sterring wheel) and it's been fine ever since.