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my 79 SA has a loose steering shaft, seems like it needs a bushing at the top of the column to take up the slack. are these available anywhere or will a generic bushing work? does any one know the size/type needed ? i saw a post from 05' that said mazda may have them, but I don't have a dealer around here
to be clear, this is what we're talking about? it doesn't really look like the pic on atkins website. Getting it out is more involved than I imagined, didn't think I'd have to take the ignition switch out
so I received the part today and installed it, but now after putting it all together the steering wheel bottoms out on the screws of the combination switch. the cover doesn't fit quite right either. not sure what the problem is, and the FSM and Haynes manual don't have good diagrams of the assembly.
It almost sounds as though the plastic shear pin for the energy absorbing portion of the steering column has sheared. With the steering wheel secured to the steering shaft, can you grab the wheel and pull it towards you or push it in towards the column?
My first FB had a problem like that when I bought it. If I tugged on the wheel it would move up 1/8" - 1/4" and disengage from the turn signal return mechanism. Took it to the Mazda dealer and they told me it would cost more to fix than the car was worth. I was young, dumb and poor so I lived with it.
It almost sounds as though the plastic shear pin for the energy absorbing portion of the steering column has sheared. With the steering wheel secured to the steering shaft, can you grab the wheel and pull it towards you or push it in towards the column?
I don't think that's the problem but I'll double check it today. it seems like the combination switch is not fully seated where it should be, but i've checked it a few times now. it just needs about another 1\8 inch of clearance.
the shaft is solid, I found the problem, while I was waiting for the bushing to arrive, the dash cap was delivered so I figured it would be easier to install while the steering wheel was off, and THAT was the problem, there is a "bump" at the bottom of the gauge cluster and with the dash cap in place makes it a real tight squeeze between the cap and the steering column parts, it wasn't allowing the bracket for the comb switch to fully slide back, I was able to mash it in and get every thing to fit properly. I did sand the tabs off of the bushing thinking it would get me a bit more clearance, but it didn't help much. I hope this lasts awhile but I think next time I'll fabricate or buy a nylon/delrin bushing that wont break down as easily.
Glad you got it figured out and it didn't cost you more money. This is something to take note of in case someone is searching the forum with the same issue!
