Loose steering

[WE3RX7]

Finally got to drive my GSL-SE with new tires, etc since getting it a few months ago. Put over 100 miles on it today and everything went fairly well. The car had been sitting for close to two years before I picked it up.

It needs an alignment, but not too bad - however, whats bugging me is the slop in the steering wheel. I've driven other FBs, some had it and others didnt. What can be done to tighten the steering up a bit?

Not too familiar with FB steering systems so any input would be appreciated.

[WE3RX7]

I actually found a decent write up here:
http://www.mazspeed.com/steeringgear.htm

If anybody knows of some better tricks, let me know. I'm also looking at replacing the idler arm as well w/ Mazdatrix's version..

[rx7carl]

Thats the best info out there AFAIK. The Mazdatrix one looks beefy. New plastic bushings have always worked for me on the idler arms though. And cheaper.

[WE3RX7]

Is there a part # for those bushings?

[rx7carl]

http://www.blackdragonauto.com/icatalog/rx/full.asp?page=60

Page 60, 2nd box down. Part number 64-440 Item 2 (youll need 2)

[WE3RX7]

Thanks!

[Herblenny]

I don't know if this is the issue or not.. but my 85 had really bad play and didn't figure out what the cause was until the day I sold the car..

The problem I had was that the clamp wasn't on right for the PS line.

After I got a new clamp and tighten it down, it drove like a champ.. Sucked that I had to sell it though..

[$100T2]

Same thing happened to my old '83. I bought a new steering gear set up to fix it.

Can a second gen steering box be adapted to the car? Or how about a Mustang rack and pinion? I know most hod rod guys use Mustang II steering stuff for their cars.

[WE3RX7]

My car doesnt have PS so I dont think the clamp would be the issue.

Not sure about the FC rack and pinion - the FBs are the older rotating ball steering setup, so it would probably be a big job to swap in the timeframe I'm looking at.

[A Damn Pitt]

over the years the gears get wore out or come out of tune. You can adjust it to get rid of some of the play, but really, once it starts to go like that its pretty much like that unless you change your steering setup.

[one320fc]

Save up some cash and go with the Respeed rack & pinion

[WE3RX7]

Buen día de Puerto Rico!! I'm sitting in San Juan and managed two seconds to check my forum messages instead of doing work!

Chris - you know I'm not putting any $ into the FB, lol - the rack & pinion would be cool, but only if and when everything else is done.

We'll have to see... later, I'll be back in the states next week.

[Kentetsu]

There is a writeup in the "evil forum" (in the Archive section) that I made describing how I adjusted my steering box. The procedure I used is greatly simplified compared to the Mazspeed writeup. After two years, it is starting to develop a little bit of slop again, but I believe it's just time for new tie rod ends.

For the idler arm; you can replace the bushings, or if you want you can spend the extra money to get the Moog idler arm. Some companies sell this part as a "race" part, and charge quite a bit of money for it. However, you can order it through Rockauto for about 50 bucks (20 less than others are charging). I've got one, and it is much more heavily built than the stock unit...