Richard McDonel

I'm doing a ground-up resto on a '71 240Z, but having a problem with the steering rack. I've removed the outer tie rods and the boots. I did have some difficulty removing the inner tie rods because the lock (jam) nut is quite thin and is crammed between the tie rod one one side and an unidentified object on the inside. This object does not appear in illustrations in either the factory manual or Haynes. Instructions in both books make no mention. Overall shape and size (there's one at each end of the rack) is much like a bearing. It is round, without wrench flats. Push on it hard by hand, and it feels like there might be a spring inside. Immediately adjacent to it is a hole drilled into the rack. I've poked around the hole with a punch, but that has yielded nothing. Until I get rid of these things, I can't withdraw the rack. My local Nissan dealer has no knowledge of, or interest in, early models. Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated. If someone needs photos, let me know. Regards, Richard McDonell Red Deer, Alberta, Canada