I am looking at an 84 GSL-SE, one of the problems with it is that it has some play in the steering at center. I was wondering if anyone knows of a way to just tighten this up or will it need a whole new steering box.

Thanks

 

Try this article.


http://www.mazspeed.com/steeringgear.htm


Hope you find it useful.

Scott

 

That article was exactly what I needed, thank you very much. Now to decide if going through that procedure is going to be worth it or if I should find another car.

Thanks

 

If the center link is loose, you need to replace idler arim bushing....cheap and easy to do.

Denny

 

I took a quick look at the site(sorry but time is limited) and someone spent a lot of time and effort. Kudos! For most of the people I help out this is a little complex in my oppion. From 10 yrs. of Mazda dealer experience no one in any dealer I worked at went this step by step from the manual. Another comment, my socket to do this is an 1 5/8. After checking for worn parts, the adj. was a pretty quick thing. I use to do any car that came in. An important lesson I learned: KNOW WHEN TO PAY SOMEONE TO DO SOMETHING THAT YOU CAN DO, BUT IS A PAIN OR REQUIRES BUYING TOOLS. Your local dealer or Mazda specialty shop should not charge much to do the adjust. Book time is .4? Much cheaper and if they screw up they replace the box. For those who just want to get the satisfaction(and this is one of the more satisfying, instant return jobs there is!) I will try to condense things. The basics are to loosen the large lock nut(1 5/8 socket w/ entrance bevel ground off). Be careful not to break the windshield. Turn the spanner (4 small holes) assy in. I do this by first removing the metal cap covering the bearing adj. REPEAT:BEARING ADJ, leave it alone (99% of the time, the 1% should be done by a pro). By carefully using a 14mm socket on the lock nut, the spanner assy. will turn down into the box removing the free play. How much do you turn? With the wheels facing straight ahead, use only 2 fingers and feel the free play. slowly turn the spanner in until there is just a hair of play left. Don't try for all the play until you have done a few. You can't usually turn the assy backwards(the lock nut loosens. Tighten the lock nut without moving your adj. PAU(hawaiian for done). Just my way of doing things. Weigh the gains(doing it yourself) vs. the risks. For most paying someone a fair $ is the better deal. Rob