Hey

I have a 85 GSL-SE........Man steering.........

They say the box is shot and need's to be replaced or rebuilt..........Should I rebuild or switch over to Power steering?

If I did switch over what parts would I need to get
Power steering to work?

Thanks

 

If i get what your saying, the answer in my opinion power steering is useless. And from what i heard the rebuild thing is expensive

 

I have too much play in my steering box........And I did the one time adjustment..........My box is very sloppy......

So I either get another box.........rebuild it.............or switch out and get a power steering unit.........

 

I think power steering on a 1st gen is totally unnecessary, as well as adding quite a bit of weight in the front. I'd try to find a decent box without a lot of play in a junkyard. They CAN be found with a little looking. Good luck.

 

Did he just say "my box is very sloppy"? I'll just let that go.

 

I had an '85 GSL that blew a P/S seal. I just pulled the belt off. I could hardly tell the difference, neither could my g/f.

 

I'm all about the power steering in a 1st gen. I've driven both, a 12a w/ manual, and a 13b w/ power.

I like the power better, the response is better IMO, and the tight corners are much easier and MUCH faster. Plus driving around town is really really really ungodly easy. Like, i can turn at a stop w/ the bottom of my fingers, on one hand.

~Geoff

 

will any steering box from any year 1st gen fit in my GSL?

 

I drove my 85 12a for many years with slop in the wheel--at least it didn't keep getting worse. Not much you can do.

I now drive an 84 SE and like the power steering--but I have heard from the previous owner that it is troublesome (3rd unit in car now). Currently I have a leak somewhere and need to track it down. I hope the unit lasts.

I have heard someone has converted over the FC p/s for an FB. The FC unit definitely looks better built and designed that the FB. Its also rack and pinion. Unfortunately the a/c and p/s pumps switched places on the FC, so some a/c line rerouting would be necessary.

Good Luck, Scott

 

I quite like my power steering in my '85 Se. It is nice that Mazda used power assist and not full power (like in the '88 convertible and others) steering as that distinction makes all the difference. You can really feel the road like you have it in your hand. It is so cool to cut the steering as hard as possible in the middle of a parking lot and just go around and around in a tiny circle just because one can or to change direction quickly and go back somewhere. I have never had or driven another car with such a small turning radius. Recently I replaced the power steering pump with a reman. since the dealer wanted $900 for a new unit. Two months after installation the power steering "t" tube connection/brass fitting started leaking and then it blew the old rubber hose leading to it. The "t" is between the pump and steering gear. That 3"metal tube cost $50 new since no salvage yard would bust up a whole power steering unit and there is no aftermarket for it. Check those 2 areas for your leak. If here it will leak very fast but there are many places it could potentially leak.

 

Jeez - ya'll 130 pound weeklings?

I enjoy man-handling my sterring to do the same things as described by power steering owners. The car isn't that heavy or hard to steer with manual steering.

What a load of women we have here!

 

is it just all of the cars that i've driven or what? cause when they have power steering and you turn the wheel at a stop the engine bogs down a little. and thet means less power, i do'nt like less power. i could be wrong but do they do that on rx-7's?

 

i agree, the manual fb steering is "normal" my fc with manual steering is too light

mike

 

Power steering box, without the pump... Just loopback the hose. Good to go.

 

Thanks for the tip Pele, I have manual in my '82 but power in my '85 I considered changing to manual. I don't like the feel of the power and don't want to give up the better ratio!

 

I don't think its all that bad. I have an '84 GSL-SE with manual steering and it doesn't bother me. The power steering in my 2nd gen was nice but its a PITA when something needs to be fixed. I converted that car to manual anyways. I bought my 1st gen from the original owner, a woman. She didn't mind and she wasn't exactly muscular.

 

i wouldnt like it for the turns.. ive driven my friend's bmw through some cones in a parking lot and there wasnt a whole lot of feedback as there was in my rex. but then again i would like power steering for around the parking lots. 205/60's with manual steering are a bitch in tight spots.

 

thats what i was going to say. power or no is preference. with power you get a quicker ratio box but lose some road feel. if you do what pele mentioned, you get a faster box and the feel.

and i'm 125, get it right, psht.

 

i must ask this again! please!

 

there is a split in 81 or 82 so you have to make sure you get the early or the late one, to suit your ride

mike