SbcRX007

Still having problems with pwr steering fluid bubbling up and foaming...
The system was full of clear power steering fluid, and the pump was bubbling the fluid and making knocking noises. Replaced the pump with a used one and it still bubbles the fluid, although much of the fluid has now been replaced by the type F atf that is recommended.. not sure if that would cause this.
It feels like the vanes in the pump are cavitating or that the pump cannot prime itself. The noises that it makes now sound like a power steering pump starving for fluid. Just wondered if you might have some ideas, thanks!

Jesse Busby
84 gsl-se

NewRXr

Jesse I had the same problem with mine. I believe it was due to the seal on the pump shaft behind the pulley allowing air to be sucked in. The problem with used is that it's still 21 years old and problably sat around until the seals dried up. Rather than continue to deal with a problematic system that I felt was unnecessary I just removed all power steering and looped the gearbox fittings. Now it gives me no grief and the car weighs less. I don't know if you've ever driven a 7 without power steering but it's acceptable at a stop and fine on the move.

I think you can either bite the bullet and buy a reman pump or trash it all. I'll provide a link to the post describing how to go about removing it in case you're interested.

https://www.rx7club.com/1st-generation-specific-1979-1985-18/converting-power-steering-manual-gsl-se-515697/

Vernon

SbcRX007

Thank you Vernon
No ill effects on the steering box?

I wondered the same thing with the shaft seal... I now have two pumps that appear to be in great shape. My original pump I disassembled and inspected, finding zero problems. The vanes were all in good shape, wear looked normal and acceptable, the shaft spun freely and with little play side to side, and the seal appeared to be in good shape inside and out. I may try swapping the seal from my orginal to my replacement, in the hope that perhaps it is just an old seal. I may also examine the seal and determine if it is still commercially availible. ' If so, I'll let you folks know
thanks,

Jesse

chiquirx7

iTrader: (7)

I Have A Manuel Steering Box If You Want To Go This Way And Pull Out You Power Steering Box Out Let Me Know

kerniew

My GSL-SE has the foamy oil issue also.

Going manual is a non starter. This is my daughter's daily driver and I wouln't hear the end of it.

Who sells a power steering rebuild kit for an 84 GSL-SE?

Has anyone tried to graft on a pump from a donor?

Thanks.

NewRXr

You're in luck, Autozone has them.

Vernon

kerniew

Vern,
I get a "no parts available at this time" at autozone.com. Is it different in-store?
Thanks.

NewRXr

I used the online stuff. Napa and ORielly were a no go. On www.autozone.com enter your car under the add a vehicle then goto shopping. I searched under steering parts and it was listed as Power Steering Kit or something. It showed the rebuild kit and a seal for the main shaft. Hmmm, now that I think about it make sure it's for the pump and not the box. Anyway it was special order of course, not stocked. About 33 bucks.

Vernon

kerniew

Vernon,
I'm striking out here. I did just as you said and I get the "not available for your car" message everywhere. I can find the filter for $22 and the complete reman pump for $199. I've tried NAPA, Kragen, Rockauto also. Nothing there either. Any other hints?

NewRXr

Well I've yet to find anything that the dealer couldn't get. It costs though.

Vernon

GavinJuice

kerniew if i were you i would loop the lines. if you read the post above there gives no ill effects and steering is better than the manual box.

If it were up to me, every beginning driver should drive a manual gearbox with manual steering. That way they can't talk on the phone, do their hair-makeup on the fly, or drink their mojo while driving. Two hands on the wheel any time you turn, and shifting in between makes it very hard to do any of the above.

Imagine people actually having to focus while driving, gasp!!!

SbcRX007

No luck with autozone. The kit is not available through the dealer anymore. Wonder if Fastenal or Mcmaster Carr may stock a seal with the same specs.

SbcRX007

kerniew - what do you mean "graft" a pump from a donor?
With your foamy ps setup, does your pump whine or knock? any other noises? just curious to compare to mine. thx

Jesse

kerniew

Jesse,
My symptoms are the foamy oil that burps out of the fill tube. Makes a mess on the driveway and the undercarriage. It continues for a week or two then it whines like it is low on oil and so I add more oil and the sound tames down. It doesn't knock, but I can hear the speed sensor kicking in and out when it is low on oil.

I had inadvertently put in some stock power steering fluid and thought I had an oil incompatibility issue, so I took it to a transmission fluid exchange place and they did a complete flush of the system as I cycled the steering. That way I was sure that it was completely filled with type F. The results were the same as before.

I then read the threads about the foamy oil and the bad seals. That was exactly what I was experiencing.

Regarding the graft: I'm thinking about the possibility of using a power steering donor from a 2nd gen or 3rd gen RX7. Does anyone know if it is possible to do such a transplant?

Of course I see the GM style going for $10 (and you can get parts). No fancy engine speed and vehicle speed switching, but could work. Of course it may have oil incompatibilities. i.e. Type F vs. Dexron III. You would have to fab an adapter to mount it on the engine. Does anyone have thoughts on the oil compatibilities? How about other pumps from other Mazda vehicles of this vintage? Ford had a close relationship with Mazda in the 80s. Did any Mazda pumps (similar to the RX7) end up in Fords?

I saw your comment about sourcing a seal from Fastenal. I think my current plan is to do just that. I'll repost if I have success or failure.

Thanks.

Nicholas P.

iTrader: (1)

dont use a second gen powersteering pump on a 1st gen. They look like the do exactly the same thing.

Unfortunally, when I tried to hook my powersteering hose up, It was not long enough. the tip on the bottom of the pump is shorter then the 1st gen. and the case is pointed in a different direction.

Its a pain in the a**

back on topic- Victoria british sells a rebuild kit dont they?

Mills

iTrader: (1)

They're called Black Dragon Automotive now, and no, they only sell pumps and pressure hoses.

A new (reman) pump is $200 with a $40 core charge.

SbcRX007

hmm... been a while since i've driven a manual steer car.. and even then it was at least rack and pinion. Not sure if I'm digging it or not... it just doesn't feel right. I'm a little concerned how the car would feel when the rear slides out, i.e. would it be harder to correct? (Peejay, i know you've got the answer to that) Chevy pump that I looked at was 45 bucks, may 3end up using that if i can't get one of these mazda pumps working. Let me know if any of u guys find a seal or seal kit

thanks,
Jesse

wilme2

Wish I could help more, but I had a mechanic replace my seal several years ago. Literally it is just the seal that needs replacing, not the pump. It is apparently one of the most common RX7 complaints...

peejay

It's assloads easier to drive manual steering. If you want, let me know and I'll let you try my car out. No sliding though

SbcRX007

Mmmm, I tried it for a week and didn't really like it. Granted, I'm not a huge gorilla like peejay is, I must have gotten girly-arm syndrome from all these years of power steering...

Ended up taking my original pump all apart again, cleaned it up with solvent, used rtv silicone and form-a-gasket goop ont he internal o ring seals and left the shaft seal alone. Put 'er back together, and its at least better now. Still foamy fluid, but not so bad, not like a grade school vinegar and baking soda volcano every time you shut the car off. Also isn't making those terrible clunking noises anymore.

Conclusion? The shaft seal is leaking, but only bad enough to suck some air in. The O-ring seals were obviously leaking, and hopefully hold for a while with the rtv and instant gasket goop. If your pump is foamy, but doesn't actaully leak fluid out the shaft seal, maybe its sucking air through the o rings. Look for wetness where the sections of the pump are sandwiched together. Just be careful if you take it apart, those little vanes like to jump out and get lost.

-Jesse

kerniew

OK, Found the time to fix the power steering and post a reply.

In short - I replaced the shaft seal and now the things holds power steering oil. Woohoo!

This is the seal I found:
The box is labeled with a brand of SKF (Actually Chicago Rawhide - a division of SKF)
Part number: 6622

Details of the part number: CR 17X30X7 HMSA7 R

http://www.chicago-rawhide.com/catal...ail.asp?s=6622

I ordered it from Motion Industries in Bakersfield, CA - ~$8.

I put a new O-ring on the reservoir tube, a new high pressure line and new return line and it is back in service.

Later.