How much play is to much play Steering?
 

So how much play is to much play. My wheel moves alot almost 3 inches to either side before it does anything. I dont like it kinda feels like i am hoverig in a buffer zone lol.

I think our play zone is around 1.5 to 2 inches, IIRC.

Personally I think any play is too much, but thats besides the point... The better of my two steering boxes has about 1-1.5" of play and it doesn't feel that terrible. ;)

Ahh "Wonder Steer"!

Hey Sean!

when i drive i purposley keep it turned one way so i will have intant reaction from car lol. I dont like it

The only reason excessive play, more than described, would be in your steering wheel is because of a steering gear box going bad. Only problem is that finding another original gear box is pretty much impossible. I think that's why a few folks go to that ReSpeed steering setup.

Sorry, but that's not the only reason, and replacement of the gear box is not the only solution....

Start with the things that you know are going to be worn out anyway:

1. Tie rod ends (inner and outer).
2. Idler arm. Order from www.rockauto.com and spend the extra bucks for the Moog version, which is much better than stock. Mazda trix sells this as their "race" version and charges much more for it.
3. Replace all worn out bushings. Check with www.re-speed.com for urethane replacements.
4. Ball joints.
5. Only after all of this has been done, adjust the steering gearbox. And I mean it when I say do everything else first! Otherwise, it just won't work...

I'll post back later with the instructions on how to adjust the steering gearbox. In the mean time, get started on the basics. You absolutely do not want any of the parts I mentioned above to fail on you while driving down the road. And your shit is probably at least 22 years old, so you know it's worn out and in need of replacement. Do it once, do it right....

Also, if you have the bucks to do the rack and pinion upgrade from respeed, then do not hesitate! First rate quality, and great people to work with....

yeah ca is that old as i took apart the struts today and everything was still oem good's. I mean it drives fine its been about ten years since i have owned a first gen and i dont remember much. i have owned more 2nd gens than anything. just want it to be tight if you know what i mean. to replace everything looks to be about 300 bucks in parts so not to bad. To costly for me to warrant a 400 dollar rack and 300 K-member

You guys do what you want, but I can't stand rack & pinion steering. It is a must for front wheel drive, but for us rear wheel drivers, it is not necessary at all. I know respeed has a good product, but if it were me, I would never go to rack and pinion if I didn't have to. Check the archives, because someone posted a step by step detailed procedure on rebuilding the gearbox to take care of the play problem. Kentetsu was that you that posted that thread?

Mike

Thanks, Kentetsu, I don't know why I said that was the only reason. I really should avoid my keyboard when I'm this tired during the evening. Because no good comes from it. But, then again, if I didn't keep posting half-answered posts, I wouldn't be doing everyone else a favor by keeping the aging bucks' minds sharp. ;)

I replaced the whole front suspension.My mech went to take the gearbox out .The pitman arm bolt wont come out.It broke the impact wrench.The bolt to adjust it is broken.Does anybody know what can be done to take it out. Do anybody know who I can take it to in Kissimee or Orlando.I have another steering box ready to go in.(sorry for the hijack)

Huh? I don't understand how anybody could say they prefer reciprocating ball steering over rack and pinion. I mean, I really can't!

Do yourself a favor, and stop by a car dealership and take just about any type of new car for a test drive. They all put the stock 7 steering to shame. Makes it feel like you have a couple of feather pillows in the steering linkage somewhere, and that's after replacing everything and adjusting the gearbox!

Its like the difference between performing surgery with a scalpel, or with a rubber mallet. :)

Okay, as promised, here is the link to the information on adjusting the steering box. But again, DO NOT DO THIS UNTIL ALL STEERING PARTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED!!!! Otherwise, you will destroy your gearbox trying to remove slop that isn't there....

https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.p...steering+grind

There is some incorrect information posted in this thread, but check out post #23 for my input on the solution. It worked great for me, and I've had no issues at all with it. Good luck...

You mean you can't get the pitman arm off the gearbox? Usually, the only way to get the pitman arm off is to cut it off. Make cuts down both sides so that it will fall off the splined gear.

I lived w/all that play in steering wheel til about 5yrs ago. It really affected the way the car can and should handle. I'm not real mechanical like most of the people on the forum. I was told the steering box cannot take much adjustment before you break something. Once again my mechanic at Kearney's custom fabricated a replacement bushing(?) I think and installed it at the bottom of the steering column. it drives like new again! If you need to know the exact name for the replacement, email me and I'll dig through my receipts.

I believe it is a Parkinson bushing.

Hopefully fixing all these items will get rid of the tracking problem in my car. Seems most times the road dictates where my car goes. Dosnt feel like its comeing from the rear end. but front end catches everything in the road and takes my car too. Makes me worried to crack on the throttle. Project turbo is kicking off full scale :)

Sec. 10A, p. 5, 85 FSM, steering wheel play is 5-20mm (0.2-0.8"). Why does anyone think I post the FSM link in my sig?

p.4 has a trouble shooting guide and there is a full R&R How to for the box.