Doctor.Jekyll

I notice that the ruts in the road near stoplights caused by trucks and I suppose other traffic tend to really pull my car to the side.

Normally when I'm driving straight the steering doesn't feel too sloppy at all. I can be driving straight then suddenly the car is pulled to the side a bit.

I'm kind of worried that one day it might mean I slide into something when it happens.

Does the problem sound like I need to tie rod boots? New tie rods? Something else?

trochoid

iTrader: (6)

Rut riding is usually caused by worn tie rods. How many miles are on the car? Check the idler arm and ball joints too. You'd be suprised how much better the car handles when you replace all of them.

Doctor.Jekyll

The odometer reads 90k miles. It's a '79. I assume it's wrapped at least once though I don't know for sure. I'm at least the 3rd owner.

It could be near to $200 for parts. I wonder if the http://www.cpracing.ca/ rack/pinion setup might be the way to go for $600.

IanS

iTrader: (4)

I personally have heard alot of mixed feelings on that kit. Some say its nice others say it isnt worth the money and didnt reduce the lock-to-lock turns as stated.

rotarycrazy

iTrader: (8)

My mechanic put one in a customers car and he had nothing but troublem dealing with cpracing it took them 4 months to get the part here after he ordered them and then it didnt fit the way it was stated on the website it blocks your oil plug comletely.

My sugestion is relpace all the bushings and stuff I did it to mine and could not believe what big difference it made I spent $100 for the sway bar and some other minor bushings and it was definetly worth the money.

bliffle

Yeah, replace all the replaceables (bushings, idler arm, etc.) and you'll be pleased with the results. You also may need new shocks. I put on Tokico Blues that I get on eBay for $150 and bump/rut effects are eliminated.

B

cdrad51

Yeah, and get poly bushings. They're the ****.

Dan_s_young

iTrader: (1)

Ummm why has no one mentioned that the problem could be caused by the steering box?

Someone correct me if im wrong but what I think may need to be done is a readjustment of your worm bearing preload and your over centre mesh adjustment... These can be the causes of the car darting or the steering being sloppy feeling...

custom13B

Definately check the steering gear box. I believe theres a really nice thread on this at mazspeed.com....bobrx-7 wrote it years ago. I've adjusted several and it always helps. There is special tools involved . You can order the large socket and dial indicator thru JLindustrialtools.com for a good price. What the root of the problem is the worm gear bearing preload. Theres no such thing as a free lunch this adjustment isnt a piece of cake but its worth doing. Every first gem I've owned needed this done and I'm on my 4th car. While your doing this its a great idea to check those tie rods and ball joints. You can get those parts thry victoria british pretty cheap. I would read that mazspeed thread in the facts section..check the car order the parts and then tackle it on a weekend. You will be pleased with the steering feel and response after. I eventually went with the CP racing rack kit. It does not block my oil drain plug. It is a major PITA to install though! I am happy with it and do like the improved feel from having a rack and pinion steering. I think the price is crazy but my gear box was shot and a new one was half the cost of the CP kit and used the common VW rabbit steering rack. It took a few weeks for me to get the kit from cHRIS at cp racing. I've never had a problem dealing with him we use to exchange ideas via email often. Hope I helped,custom13B

Dan_s_young

iTrader: (1)

Can I ask you this, why do you think you need a dial indicator to adjust the steering box? (not trying to start a war or anything... lol) But im currently at my local college taking a mechanics program, and we worked on adjusting steering boxes like 2 days ago... What you will need is a torque wrench that will measure about 0-10 (or about 20) N/M... There is alot involved with these adjustments so I would be weiry if you are unexperienced... Some things are just better when they are done by professionals.

The only thing I can think of which you would need a dial indicator for would be to measure the sector shaft endplay, but this is done with a feeler gauge under the adjuster nut and the adjustment is adjusted by the size of shim used...

aussiesmg

iTrader: (1)

First thing I'd check is tires, you have small wheels and poor tires will follow ruts. Check your air pressures, tread wear, tread depth etc.
This is going to be a major contributing factor and remember everything you do is to increase your tires grip. Better brakes, shocks etc all conspire to increase your tires ability to hold the road, so always start with your tires.

jpre

You could read the post at mazspeed and see why that person says so:

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

custom13B

The dial indicator is used with a magnetic base to measure free play on the pitman arm. I see my way to measure it with shims on this particular car. Once I baught my dial indicator I've used it for many things..(measuring end play when rebuilding a rotary etc etc). Trying to find a mechanic who knows how to adjust a RX-7 gear box is like buying a lottery ticket. Maybe I'm a bit biased but I learned long ago if you drive a RX-7 you best learn to maintain it yourself or buy a piston engine. Check the mazspeed thread boxrx7 knows what he's talking about....and yes this isnt a easy thing as I previously said. If you want easy just stay with wonder steering. I just enjoy knowing how to do anything to my car. A lot of things I have done may not be for everyone. So read up and decide if its for you. Either way those mazspeed facts are good info for any rotorhead,best of luck custom13B

Dan_s_young

iTrader: (1)

Ummmm finding a mechanic who knows how to adjust one of these steering boxes should honestly not be that hard... Like I said I am currently becoming a mechanic and we have learned all about these recirculating ball setups and have taken them appart, and readjusted them and everything. I now understand as to why they used the magnetic base dial indicatior, just to see if the adjustments actually need to be done without tearing the thing appart... But like I said any actual mechanic should be able to adjust this thing....

custom13B

Maybe so guess I'm a bit biased. I have not had good luck with a rotary and any mechanic. I no longer try I just fix it myself. If anyone wants this adjustment done ask the mechanic if he's ever adjusted a recirculating ball steering gear box if he has or dosnt know what it is then keep looking. My thoughts on this are that this type of steering is old school and some may not be familliar with it. Only trucks and vans use this these days. I am very suprised a college auto program took the time to explain it...obviously a good program.

Doctor.Jekyll

Thanks for all of the advice. I saw the steering article. I haven't read it all yet.

I know it needs new tires. I have been busy and I didn't really want to spend the money for new tires. I can afford it and I should do it. Tires are imporant after all. I will check out prices on Saturday.

I've been meaning to take the car in for an inspection but I've been busy and I've been thinking "I just want to fix X, Y, Z first". I expect that they will point out worn tie rod ends and tons of other things.

Kentetsu

Check my post in this thread https://www.rx7club.com//showthread....=grind+steering for directions on the simplified method for adjusting the steering gear. All I can say is that it worked great for me and a few others that I know of.

Doctor.Jekyll

I get:

Not Found
The requested URL //showthread....=grind+steering was not found on this server.


I think the post you mean is in the thread https://www.rx7club.com//showthread....grind+steering

sixtydgree

I'm sure that someone probably asked this question already, but I got kinda lazy and stopped reading about half way through the fist page. What about those of us that don't have power steering? What could cause the slop then?

Kentetsu

I believe that the majority of the discussion has been referring to manual steering, not power. I know for a fact that the link I posted deals with manual steering.

Kentetsu

DamnDoublePost...

sixtydgree

Thank you Kentetsu. My bad.

sixtydgree

that was very helpful. thanks

pyro2

What he said.

Something as simple as bald tires can cause it on certain cars.