loose steering

[fathertime]

Hi, I'm a new gen 1 owner. I have very little experiance with these cars. Can anyone suggest how I can adjust steering to have less play in the wheel? The play appears to be in the steering box.
Thanks for your help.
Fathertime:driving:

[Viperx7]

There's an adjustment screw on the steering box. It should be under a round cap that you have to pull off. If that doesn't fix it, it is possible that it's time for a new steering box or go with the RE Speed R&P conversion.

[djmtsu]

Also check that your idler and pitman arms are in good shape. I have seen some with barely any bushings left in them!

[j_tso]

How are the rest of your steering parts? tie rods, idler arm and pitman arm all have bushings that go bad.

[WE3RX7]

Yup - idler arm bushings make a big difference if they're worn out. Replace those (cheap) and then if it doesn't bring it back to where you'd like it, get the box adjusted...

[Kentetsu]

Okay, I copied this from an old post that I responded to some time back. Hope this helps. It worked great for me, and was a lot simpler than the other methods. Might be a cheap shortcut, but like I said, it worked so I won't complain....



Okay, if your's is the same as mine, here's whatcha do;

Very important! Grind the beveled edge off of the large socket that you are going to use. It is almost impossible to get that one loose without rounding the corners off even without the bevel on the socket.

Okay, once that is done then get that large nut broken loose. If you manage to do that then you are home free. Once it is loose, then hold it while you turn the next largest nut (mine has a series of holes drilled into it). I used a hammer and cold punch to turn it. Tighten it about 1/8 of a turn, then retighten the large nut and take it for a drive.

This will be a trial and error type of thing. If its still too loose, then tighten that inner nut (the one with the holes in it) another 1/8 turn. If you end up getting it too tight then your steering will loose its self-centering properties and will quickly wear out completely.

I got lucky the first time I tried this. Took it for a drive and there was damn near zero freeplay, but not too tight. I used to have about 2" of freeplay, which was a really exciting setup, but not too practical. Now, when driving down the road small adjustments are almost done telepathically! This changed the entire feel of my car. By far the best thing I have done to it as far as improving the driveability and fun factor...

[PercentSevenC]

Heh. My daily commute is all in-town, and I rarely need to go on the freeway. When I do... it's interesting to say the least, until I get used to it. Already replaced the idler arm bushings, I just need to get the big socket so I can tighten the box. It's 41mm, correct?

One day I will get a rack-and-pinion setup.

[fathertime]

Thanks to all who responded. You have given as lot of good ideas and places to check for wear.
Fathertime

[Kentetsu]

I don't recall the size of the socket, but I'm pretty sure it was discussed in the thread that I copied my comments from. Here's the link to the full thread if you want to dig through it:

http://www.rx7club.com/showthread.php?t=441629&highlight=steering+grind

But to answer your question, yes. Once you get that great big thin nut loose, the battle is almost over....

[Rogue_Wulff]

You can also use a hammer/chisle to loosen the nut. The trick is using a not-so-sharp chisle, so it doesn't cut the nut, but not too dull of a chisle, so it can get a bite.
Also, don't use hard hammer blows. A little really does go a long ways here.

[-xlr8planet-]

what if I use a neumatic tool? the impact should brake it loose

[rx7carl]

http://www.mazspeed.com/steeringgear.htm

A very good article about adjusting the steering box.

[Kentetsu]

The mazspeed article is certainly very detailed... :)

I think I found a useable shortcut which is much simpler and provided me with good results. But if you have the special tools, the time, and the willingness to remove the gear box, then go for it.

The problem with that large nut that starts things off in my instructions is not that it is very tight, its just that its a very thin nut which makes it easy to round the corners off when trying to remove it.... :)