Okay so I pcked up this 85 RX7 on saturday and I decided that I will keep this one and take care of it.
Usually I go through about 2-3 1st gens in a year and just basically use them as disposable fun cars. You know, remove emmisions, straight pipe exhaust, and some nice rims and tires. So anyway.
This one is a keeper but the steering column moves.
If I pull the steering wheel towards me while sitting in the drivers seat it comes back about 1.25 inches, and then I can puch it back down.
Now I have had cars with this problem before but never bothered fixing it.
I was told before that the pins that allow the steering shaft to collapse in an accident are damaged when this is what the column does.
I also know that I have created this problem before on other 1st gens from over tightening a steering wheel hub when putting on a MOMO wheel and such.
So how do I fix this?????
Someone please drop some info...
Thanx

 

Ever seen a box & column out of a car? The column is two pieces, and the retainer is broken allowing it to move. If you loosen everything you should be able to pull the column out, mix up some JB Weld and put the stuff back together in time before the JB Weld cures.

I will say, though, that I've only done this on a racecar, so there was no column lock or key to deal with.

You should also be able to swap out columns if you've got a spare or can get one at a yard.

 

i hammered a nail through both shafts and bent it over.

 

Anyone have a picture or a step by step process for doing the Pin or Nail Fix.
Yes I Searched.
I think alot of us 1st Gen Owners have this problem and it would be a Great Addition to the Faq and Question Section.
Thanks
sgieldon
steve

 

You really should win some kind of award, I mean honestly.

Do you feel safe with that in the least bit?

 

You're Right!
I know it's not the greatest idea on the Safety Issue.
But until I can find a replacement box. Temp Fix.
Many Cars-Many Years never had this Pin.
steve

 

I would personally use either aluminium fence wire, or an aluminium pop rivet... Or I'd find a plastic nub to shove in there... Those'll shear off easier than the nail.

You really want that column to collapse so that you don't bend up the steering wheel and have the column punch through your chest plate when you wreck.

The squshy stuff inside you won't take to that well and I think some important parts like your oil pump and intake are behind your chest plate.

 

pele said: The squshy stuff inside you won't take to that well and I think some important parts like your oil pump and intake are behind your chest plate.

Now THAT's something I can understand!!

 

Don't forget about the CAI Pele.

 

hahaha
I like this idae.....I am pretty sure if I spend some time at the hardware store I can find a soft enough nail that would shear off with a sudden impact.
Anyway I think we all need some pictures of this before I pull things apart.
Or at least a short step by step explanation. Like am I removing the steerign column from the car??
What do I do under the hood??
What do I do under the dash??
Where is this magical little pin located at??

 

Under the dash. You should see where the two parts seperate. Just drill through and insert shearable material.

Like I suggested, aluminium woould probably work best.

 

little bit of mechanics wire may work well too. mine pulls out a bit but i've just gotten used to it, i honestly have no problem with it being that way.

 

i didn't use a lag bolt...its a NAIL. like you hang pictures from.

i can sleep ok at night knowing a safety feature on my car doesnt work as it should.

 

Thanks for the Info.
I kinda figured it out already to use a Soft Replacement Pin.
Just looking for the best and easeist way of doing it.
I've already replaced 2 turn signal cancel cams and broke the 2 nd one the other day. URGH.
sgieldon
steve

 

Now for a question that has not been addressed in this Fix???

When you Drill & Replace the Colar with whatever materail fits your fancy (HopeFully the Lightest i.e. Pin), do you Drill and Install it with the Steering Column Pushed in or Out?
Of all the Post that I have read on 5 different Sites on this Mod.
No one has ever Stated @ what Position the Column should be in!
Just a F.Y.I.
sgieldon
steve

 

It should be in the outer position. It is designed to collapse in a crash.

 

That's what I thought.
Thanks Ken
sgieldon
steve

 

Hey Ken;
Have you done this Fix yourself?
What material did you use for the Pin?
When all said in done, this would be a Great FAQ Site.
Thanks again for your Help.
sgieldon
steve

 

Nope, never had to do it, just lots of reading in this forum. I've heard that some use jb weld though.

 

haha just wanted to share a funny story that involves the steering column on my old parts car...so there I was middle of december outside in the parts car taking the dash out...what in the hell I was doing out there in -40 weather I have no idea but it seemed like the thing to do...so after what seemed like forever to get the dash unbolted I decided to take the steering wheel off so I could obviously take the dash off...anyway so I undid the steering wheel nut and was rocking the wheel and pulling when something let go and I went flying into the back compartment of the car...I was like what the hell until I realized I had pulled the steering column out of the steering box...I was not impressed but for some reason I think it was funny as hell!

 

I think we all have read some post in the past that's brought back a (Wow Did I Really Do That)???
I've gots many of those since owning 6 1st Gens in the Past.
But I also have alot of (Oh ****! Did I Do That)???
Anyhow thanks for sharing one of those WoW's.
Alittle humor never hurts when working on your car.
sgieldon
steve

 

okay I still need pix!!
I have a car that I just parted out and I still cant figure out where this "pin" is supposed to be inserted.
Obviously there is a sleeve over the steering shaft inside the car.
So where do I drill this hole and insert this "pin"???
Help!!

 

Pictures would be nice?
Anyone want to help Turbo and me Too?
Thanks
sgieldon
steve

 

okay so on my parts car today I pulled that sleeve off the steering column.
Now I understand whats going on.
I needed to remove the bolts that hold the steering column up , then remove the ignition lock. Then pull the sleeve off the column. Then I could see where the pin goes...
Am I on the right track????
Let me know.

 

I can't wait till you get done with this mod TuboIIGuy so I can go forward with mine.
Not that I'm to lazy to figure it out I just know that it's a PITA to do and I've lived with it this long so I can hold off.
When you get it all said and done, put it in the FAQ (if you want of course)!
Any help for us old timers is always appreciated.
Have Fun
sgieldon
steve