steering wheel trouble
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Joined: Mar 2006
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From: Prairie DuChien, WI
steering wheel trouble
I have an 83 rx-7 and the steering wheel is loose. Not side to side loose like bearings but it pulls strait out aprox. an inch. It feels like a slip yoke coming out it wont pull all the way out but it still makes me nervous especially slamming gears. I have used the search and only found info on loose steering components (ie tie rods etc.) the steering (response) itself is tight the suspension is in good shape. If anyone else has had this problem let me know. Do these vehicles have impact (crash) columns that crush in an accident?
The steering column is collapable, the clip the holds it in place has broken. Someone posted a pic of the clip here recently. thee have been different suggestions for repair, but I have not seen anyone post a long term success on one yet.
Changing out the column may be the safest route.
Changing out the column may be the safest route.
Originally Posted by trochoid
The steering column is collapable, the clip the holds it in place has broken. Someone posted a pic of the clip here recently. thee have been different suggestions for repair, but I have not seen anyone post a long term success on one yet.
Changing out the column may be the safest route.
Changing out the column may be the safest route.
are you talking about this POS???
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 2,932
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From: Surrounded by Sebey parts, Rhode Island
Originally Posted by metallicabassplayer
I have an 83 rx-7 and the steering wheel is loose. Not side to side loose like bearings but it pulls strait out aprox. an inch. It feels like a slip yoke coming out it wont pull all the way out but it still makes me nervous especially slamming gears. I have used the search and only found info on loose steering components (ie tie rods etc.) the steering (response) itself is tight the suspension is in good shape. If anyone else has had this problem let me know. Do these vehicles have impact (crash) columns that crush in an accident?
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Joined: Jun 2006
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From: washington
i freakin hope so, from what ive read replacing the steering coulum is a nightmare.. okay well i just dont want to do it but still. mine does the same thing and its anoying as hell when i shift and the steering wheel hits my chest haha.
rotarless
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: N/A
Originally Posted by eXpLiCiT
So is there a fix for this problem?
This is from http://www.jimrothe.com/mazda/steering.html :
In the event that you do break the collapsible shaft, I've heard of a few remedies. One is to remove the steering box and shaft, and then tack weld the column to the correct length. Another suggestion that I've heard was to drill a hole through the shaft where the plastic rivets are, and replace them with nylon screws. (Aftermarket license plate screws are often made of nylon or plastic.)
The best suggestion that I've heard came from Dave Barniger at KD Rotary, and it can be done with the column and steering gear in place: turn the steering wheel so that the wheels are straight ahead and position the wheel so that you have the desired clearance between the wheel and the plastic steering column covers. From the floorboard, measure 7.5" up the column, and then drill a 1/2" hole into the bottom of the steel column jacket. Then, through that hole, drill a quarter or eighth inch hole through the collapsible shaft. Install a quarter or eighth inch ALUMINUM pop rivet into the hole and you're done! The idea behind using an aluminum rivet is to retain the safety factor of the collapsible shaft. I should note that I've never done tried this repair, but it sure sounds like a great tip. Dave says he's done it probably twenty times, and it only takes 15 minutes or so.
The best suggestion that I've heard came from Dave Barniger at KD Rotary, and it can be done with the column and steering gear in place: turn the steering wheel so that the wheels are straight ahead and position the wheel so that you have the desired clearance between the wheel and the plastic steering column covers. From the floorboard, measure 7.5" up the column, and then drill a 1/2" hole into the bottom of the steel column jacket. Then, through that hole, drill a quarter or eighth inch hole through the collapsible shaft. Install a quarter or eighth inch ALUMINUM pop rivet into the hole and you're done! The idea behind using an aluminum rivet is to retain the safety factor of the collapsible shaft. I should note that I've never done tried this repair, but it sure sounds like a great tip. Dave says he's done it probably twenty times, and it only takes 15 minutes or so.
I've been waiting to try this since mine is collapsed as well but I was wondering if anyone knew what the stock length from floorboard to the end of the column is? I don't have my dash or any other interior in yet, so I can't just eyeball how much of the column to pull out before fixing it in place and be sure I'll have enough room for the plastic surrounds, turnsignals etc. Or maybe just the measurment of how much the inner shaft is supposed to come out?
thanks
I used to rebuild RX-7s and GLCs, and I hav done this steering shaft repair a few times. I honestly don't recall how it came apart, but I don't recall it being difficult and I am sure I did not remove the steering gearbox from the car. In any case I used a soft aluminum rivet, replacing the original plastic shear pin, which I believe was molded in place.
I don't really like the idea of drilling more holes in the steering shaft, unless I am misunderstanding what is described above.
I don't really like the idea of drilling more holes in the steering shaft, unless I am misunderstanding what is described above.
The steering column is not that hard to remove. The most difficult steps are seperating the spline and reciever from the steering sector and playing contortionist to get under the dash to remove the firewall bolts. Once out, you should be able to see where the inner and outer shafts originally lined up.
