Just picked up an 85 which I like more and more each day, however one thing bothers me. The steering is translating about an 2" of play to the steering wheel. It's not so bad a low speeds, but anything over 55 seems somewhat unsafe. Changing lanes on an old freeway with deep grooves is down right terrifying? I used to Autocross alot with Autosportsnorthwest here in Spokane with my JDM4g63 powered Eclipse, (somebody else decided they needed it more than me .)
Anyway I'd love to Autocross again maybe in stock class, what can I do to oleviate this problem without installing the Rack and Pinion CPR kit?

 

It's totally normal for a first gen. (though it does suck) It's just the nature of the steering.

Search this section for threads on steering play. there are things you can do to help it. but it'll never completely go away. A 1-2 inch "dead spot" on center is consistant with every FB i've ever driven.

There is no reason it should stop you from auto crossing. The steering delivers good feed back and feel once you're off center.

 

Parts wear, steering plays. Start with the idler arm, then tie rods, ball joints, wheel bearings. Once that is done, make sure the tires are good and get an alignment. If there is still play left, the steering sector needs adjusting. This is the last item to do, there is a write up in the archives, of FAQs on it.

 

Start here https://www.rx7club.com//showthread.php?t=528480 Then, once you have confirmed that all of your other steering components are nice and tight, you can move on to this thread for instructions on how to adjust the steering box (based on an '85 GS) https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.p...steering+grind

 

i had the same deal with my 83

got a new steering box from mazdatrix and it works like magic now

 

Um, yeah... Why fix it when you can just throw money at it? To each his own I guess.