Back in action...well kind of
 

I had a first gen a few years ago that I daily drove for about six months before I sold it to a friend in need. It was beat to hell and pretty nasty, but rode nice.

Today though, my father picked up a 1984 GSL. It has 42,000 original miles on it and looks as if it were in the showroom. Lots of things have been replaced using all new OEM Mazda parts, including weather stripping, seals, etc. It honestly rides like a brand new car. The owner was the parts department manager at a local Mazda dealer and replaced many parts with anything he could get his hands on from Mazda.

Gunmetal on red leather. Seats look like they have never been sat in. Unfortunately, you can't say they've never been farted in though.

The only issue is that it seems there is play in the steering. Almost like its disconnected, but obviously not. Where is a good place to start replacing parts for the front steering bits? I'm probably going to do the sway bar bushings and end links for him soon.


Additionally, he prefers driving an automatic. I insist to him that this car is meant for a five speed. That being said, if he wanted to, how hard of a job is it to convert the car from a five speed to an automatic? Realize, this car is WORTH working on due to how pristine it truly is.

Oh, even the A/C works with its original R12 freon!


Win!

I'll get pics soon.

The first and easiest thing to check for the steering is the idler arm bushings. They are a common problem. The good news is they are cheap and easy to replace. Takes about 15 minutes.

I vote to keep the 5 speed for the reasons you mentioned.

you should be able to swap in an auto relatively easily the electrical hook ups are undre the shift boot cover trim, but it is unlikely you will find one out of a car they are quite rare and they ar not as bulletproof as the manuals are, so say "sorry dad, I'll be your automatic.":) good luck either way you go.

Best quote evar! Win!



As far as the idler arm, the guy said he replaced it for the same reasons, as its common to go bad. Then again, he was trying to sell a car and get it out of his garage.

I may just replace it anyway for him along with a few poly bushings.


I missed my FB. And now I can drive one from time to time.

Still not as sexy a car as my 76 Celica liftback though. nom nom nom nom

Don't go replacing parts for the hell of it!

In my signature is the link for the FSM. Download your copy. All of the procedures to check for play in the steering are in there. No different than any other vehicle. If it needs the steering box adjusted then do a search with the terms "Steering box" as we have threads on that. Use the advanced search function and view posts that have at least 15 replies.

If you go automatic, I have hella parts for you. Electrical harnesses, interior bits, shifter linkage, the lot. Im doing an auto-5spd swap myself lol. Not sure how good my tranny is, seemed ok, but it still has 120k on it, and shipping that would not be fun either. So yeah, feel free to PM me if your dad thinks his car is too fast and wants to slow it down a bit.

Here's a very good thread on diagnosing steering play: https://www.rx7club.com/1st-generation-specific-1979-1985-18/where-can-i-if-i-can-get-steering-gearbox-overhaul-kit-441629/

Good luck with your new project. :)







.

Keep in mind there is always going to be a little play in the steering. It's just the design of the box. So don't worry if you can't get it completely tight. And 7 posts before someone says it, WHERE ARE THE PICTURES??!!

My understanding is the best way to cure steering play on these cars is to:

-Look Under Car
-Is there a Recirculating Ball Steering Box?

If so:

-Replace with RE-Speed Rack and Pinion! :lol:

I gave my dad some good advice last night as well. I told him that you might not get what you love (red on red late C4 Vette), but you might love what you get.

For example, I sold my SC300 because it needed a lot of work. I didn't know what I'd buy next, but then I stumbled across my 76 LB Celica and fell in love. Didn't like the color at first, but now I wouldn't change it for the world.

So, I'm hoping he becomes more comfortable with driving a stick again, as its been probably 20 years.

He also has a problem with one of his knees, so maybe that's why. I get it. I have a really bad left knee that periodically locks up on me. I have fallen down stairs due to that.



Thanks for that. I will download that on my computer as well as my parents' computer and show him what to do.

I want to replace the front and rear sway bar bushings with polyurethane ones, as well as the poly end links up front. I do that to most of my cars just as an added insurance bit.


Sweet! I'll let him know and get back to you


Hey man hold on! I'm at work and need to get my camera. lol

Place for bushings: www.re-speed.com You might want to consider getting the full set, since most of the original bushings are going to be shot by now anyway...