Steering Wheel Freeplay
 

Can anyone tell me how much freeplay is acceptable on the steering? If there is too mucy freeplay, what is the most likely cause. This pretains to a 85 gslse. Thanks

Jeff

Too much freeplay is usually an indication that the steering box is either worn or needs adjustment of the sector shaft. That is the lock-nutted screw on top of the steering box.
If the screw is tightened too much to compensate for wear, the shaft can get bound and wear out prematurely, so be careful if you adjust it. The steering wheel freeplay limit is 1.57" which seems like a lot to me.

This car only has 65,000miles with the original owner and from what I have gathered, the original owner really babied his car. should the steering gear box wear out that quickly?

Check the Idler arm bushing - that was my problem on a car with similar miles (they tend to cook next to the manifold)

No, it shouldn't. If you are talking about overall steering looseness, it could very well be the idler arm, but the way you check actual steering box freeplay is to have someone turn the wheel while you observe movement of the pittman arm. Have them move the wheel back and forth and confirm the limits of when the pittman arm actually starts to move.

Thanks all for the information. I may be missing the whole picture here after what I hear from you experts. I reason I raised the freeplay issue is because when I turn the steering wheel, there is some excessive movements( I say about 1.5") before the tires start to respond. This may be normal but I will get it checked out.

Jeff

I would take a look at the Idler arm, brushes and general wear are a good cause. Both are pretty cheap to fix up.. even a whole new Idler arm.

slop on center (the 1.5" you mention) is common to recirculating ball steering after any sort of wear

I have to say this board is beyond my expectation. I am a newbee on RX7 and I am rather green on most issues regarding my toy. I can't say thank you enought for all the help I have received. I will try all those suggestions once I pick up my car this Sunday and post the results.

jeff

Here is an excellent article on adjusting out the play on a 1st Gen steering box.

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

welcome, Jeff, good way to start off at the forum... instead of picking a fight like some OTHER people :rolleyes:

Jeff


p.s. - You STOLE MY NAME! :p: