Called Mazda today to book an appointment to may my steering gear adjusted - they tell me they won't do it and that it is not recemmended by Mazda (WTF). They would rather sell me a new steering gear for close to a $1,000 can. Now I would like to do this myself but I can't get my hands on a socket that will fit the large lock nut. (40MM or 1 9/16")
My question is - can these geers be adjusted (clearance and preload) or am I going to have to buy a new box. Has anyone tried this and what were the results. I know you also have to reset the preload on the column or the wondering will return quickly. I'd really appreciate any feedback on this - looks like I'm going to have to do it myself (if I can find the socket) - By the way, I've seen the write up in the facts section on Mazspeed - I'm really looking for feedback on someone on this forum who has done it - thanks again

 

I forgot to mention - manual steering on a GSL-SE

 

If the Mazspeed tutorial says do something, do it. Those guys know their ****. That procedure works, as evidenced by a few guys that have tried it on this forum. Just go to Sears and buy a big socket and away you go.

 

Thanks X605 - I'm very familiar with the other forum and they do know their stuff - what I'm looking for is someone who has actually done this (other than Bobrx7) they can provide a little feedback on this fix

 

Have you checked your idler bushing and ball joints?

 

Yes - idler arm bushing is new - ball joints are in good shape

 

i adjusted my 81 steering box. it did tighten up the steering..... for awhile.... and quickly needed more adjusting...

i kept adjusting it a little at a time every few months....weeks.... to the point it was all the way adjusted and had 1.5" slop. Off to junkyard and pulled a low mileage one, slapped it in with thick 90wt gear oil and it works great.

adjusting that box seemed like a downward sprial... the more it's adjusted, the more and quicker it got sloppy. i just don't touch the adjuster on my 'new' used box and it seems very happy.

 

I agree, I've seen cars driven hundreds of thousands of miles without adjusting the box. If it's worn that much it might just be worn out.

 

if one will work off a 84 gs i got one for sale. has 118k but decent

 

ive been looking for a 40mm socket for months to do just this!. they are nowhere to be found.

 

If you do a search, I believe you will find that SilverRocket has done the procedure as per the tutorial.