robs_seven

iTrader: (1)

Well i have been doing my FB electrical conversion into my 79 SA and yesterday i started putting the steering back together. Before i took it all apart i always notcied a slighty play in the steering. i always thaught it was just the age and the steering box. Well last night when i got the steering wheel on i noticed there was a huge amount of play, like a 1/4 inch, i looked aroung and noticed there was no bushing between my steering shaft and the housing around the shaft. Thats where the play is coming from. Well i work at a machine shop so today on my lunch break i took some Amco and machined a bushing to fit around the shaft and in the housing. i left .005" stock on both the id and od so i could spot it in place for the best fit. Amco is a berrillyum (spelling??) bronze aluminum and copper mixture. Also the kind we have at work is self lubircating. So i turned it down on the lathe and then once at home i spotted it in with my dremel. man i have never felt my steering that tight but still free. its like magic. here are a couple pics just for fun there not that clear sorry but they will get the point across.

you can see the shaft off center and a huge gap


Amco bushing


Bushing in place tight and free and centered

robert

81WideMariah

iTrader: (8)

anyway i could talk you into making one of those up for me???

robs_seven

iTrader: (1)

what year car is yours?? its different from SA to FB, i know i had to modify the ignition switch and also the combination switch. If you have a FB 81' i might could work it out. i will have to measure my 81' parts car for dims and see what i can make work. im not sure if the FB shaft is the same, i think they have some kind of spacer already, or supposed to be. ill look tommorow at the 81 and get back with you

81WideMariah

iTrader: (8)

i do have an 81 so that shuld help...i've just also noticed quite a bit of play in the wheel...and ive tried tightening up the steering box as well.. also when i installed my new steering wheel toay i didn't notice a bushing on my shaft...i guess just take a look and let me know...send me a pm if you figure anything out..thanks...

ultimatejay

iTrader: (1)

You can get that bushing at your local Mazda dealer. The part number is
0259 32 071. It fits many different models. You may have to shave a tab depending on model and they're only like 12bucks.

81WideMariah

iTrader: (8)

right on...thanks for the info

josh...just josh

what direction of play are we talking about here? in my SE I can pull the wheel towards me like a half an inch and it's the whole shaft moving from what I can tell

Frostycrowd

iTrader: (9)

Does the steering wheel go back on one way, or can it be improperly turned? Cause my car drives fine, goes straight, but the steering wheels is always crooked.

robs_seven

iTrader: (1)

the steering wheel fits on the splines and locks into rotation and then there is a plastic piece made into the combination switch that has to little towers that stand proud, those must be aligned and fit in to the back of the steering wheel. you just put the wheel on straight and then rotate that plastic piece to fit in the back of the wheel.

On the direction of play my play was just up/down, left/right. if you have play pulling toward yourself, maybe its the nut inside the steering wheel, or maybe you have play in the gear box. Im not sure, i have not had to deal with that yet

As far as getting those bushings at a dealer, maybe you can get the FB ones, but the dealer here could not pull it up for the SA. As far as the one a dealer should have what are they made out of, just wondering? And yes from a SA to a FB there is a bit of difference, there is no way that one i made would fit the 81 parts car, with out a LOT of grinding.

robert