Hey everyone, I tried a search on this yet found nothing, so here I am! When I turn my wheel, I get a slight grinding noise in the steering column either right after the wheel or in the column itself. It doesn't affect the drivability of the car as much as it is a nuisance. Any insight?

 

That is an odd one I've never heard of. Iirc, there is a bearing in the column. By chance, does the coulumn/wheel pull/push in/out about an inch? If so, the clip that allows the column to collapse has failed.

Welcome to the forum and the Darkside. In my sig line is a link to the FSMs, carb manual and other rotary related reading. Btw, thanks for searching first.
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My steering wheel is firm and in place. There's just that grinding when the wheel has reach a full left or right turn.

 

I have a similar noise... but only when I turn the wheel to its max left or right and hold it. But I've never had it grind just turning... maybe your wheels are rubbing? or the ***** in your steering mechanism are not oiled? X.x dunno

 

couple ideas...

1. strut top bearings, theres a ball bearing in the strut top, if the caps missing from the strut top, they are prolly rusty. it rare they give trouble, and ive had good luck with a capful of oil in there.

2. steering wheel rubbing? ive seen em rub on the column covers...

3. theres a little horn contact thing, maybe that needs a bit of lube too?

 

Okay I never solved this problem....and is has become more of a "knock"ing noise when I turn the wheel. Usually when the wheel is turned to the right/left and turn it, when the wheel reaches it's normal position, that's where the knock noise takes place.

 

When I read your description, I was wondering if maybe it was your power steering pump. Because originally you said when you reach to the far left or right, the pump will make a bit of a whine/groan noise. But, a grind and now a knock?

This is an odd one. Is it once you start turning the wheel or only when you reach the limit on left or right? And, welcome to the world of rotarys.

 

Although I have no way to hear how deep or heavy the knocking is,its very possible its the horn contact ring.
They wear down through the copper contact,and then the button starts to etch into the ring.Thats the scraping sound.Then,if its been worn and dry for a while,its possible for the button to wear a ditch into the ring at the straight ahead position,since thats where the wheel sits most of the time,just moving slightly side to side as you drive straight ahead.As the button passes through the ditch at center,it can get caught,load up pressure,then pop out causing the knock.

Its simple enough to pop off the steering wheel and take a look.Everything is right there,easy to access and/or repair.

 

Off chance..

Are your wheels loose?

 

The noise occurs when the wheel is already turned a little to the left/right and then I turn it to the opposite direction. As it passes the straight-wheeled position the knock occurs.

 

tighten your steering wheel mounting nut. I had the same exact problem for the last year, and checked the nut by chance. Tightened it almost 1/3 turn. No more noise.

Later,
Bill

 

^ Sometimes, the most simplest explanation is the answer.

 

this is happening to me right now also. What you need to do is pop off the wheel and LUBE up the horn contact. im too lazy to do mine, just turn up the radio.

 

Now excuse my noobaciousness, but is that the huge nut that I see after taking off my steering wheel, the one surrounded by 3 bolts near the wire for the horn?

 

By chance, does the coulumn/wheel pull/push in/out about an inch? If so, the clip that allows the column to collapse has failed.

Mine does that thought i was going mad as i dont remember my other rx7's doing it, going to do a search on it unless you can help?

thanks
Mark

 

It's the ONLY huge *** nut that's directly in the center of the steering wheel when you remove the horn cap.

 

Okay, you were right. Problem solved. The nut was tight enough that I couldn't turn it by hand....but loose enough that I could give it a 1/3 turn tighter. All fixed! Thanks.