1st Generation Specific (1979-1985) 1979-1985 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections

Steering WOW WONDERSTEER

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Feb 14, 2006 | 04:12 PM
  #1  
Nicholas P.'s Avatar
Thread Starter
Rotary Enthusiast
Tenured Member 15 Years
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,415
Likes: 0
From: Louisiana
Steering WOW WONDERSTEER

Hi me AGIain.


ok heres another question what should I buy for my RX-7

the 1984 GSL yadda yadda yadda.

the steering is Loose you can turn it 6 inches before the wheel even budges


I have new Tie rod ends im gonna put on there,

but theres something else it needs. I know yaull know!I just dont know!
Reply
Old Feb 14, 2006 | 04:18 PM
  #2  
Full Member
Tenured Member 10 Years
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 198
Likes: 0
From: St. Simons, GA
tighten the steering box. There is a jam nut with a hex screw going into it. I don't know if the manual explains it, but as I understand it, you loosen the nut, tighten it down to take the slop out, then tighten the jam nut. This basically takes the slack up as the gears wear and allow more backlash, hence steering looseness. Someone on here may have more info than me, but a good place to start. To check underneath, jack the front up have someone hold one tire, and wiggle the other tire, and see where the slop is.

Cheers,
Travis
Reply
Old Feb 14, 2006 | 04:32 PM
  #3  
mbaha's Avatar
Full Member
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 226
Likes: 0
From: San Diego
https://www.rx7club.com/1st-gen-archive-71/steering-stearingbox-play-75257/
Reply
Old Feb 14, 2006 | 04:56 PM
  #4  
REVHED's Avatar
Hunting Skylines
Tenured Member: 20 Years
 
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 3,431
Likes: 4
From: Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
Don't touch the steering box until you veryify the condition of all the steering components. That means idler arm, pitman arm, tie rod ends and ball joints. Then you can adjust the box to get rid of any excess play.
Reply
Old Feb 14, 2006 | 05:02 PM
  #5  
Nicholas P.'s Avatar
Thread Starter
Rotary Enthusiast
Tenured Member 15 Years
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,415
Likes: 0
From: Louisiana
After reading that hole thing,

him saying power steering is much harder and let a pro do it,(PS_doesentwork)
he also said a new box would cost 1200 dollars.

so ball joints and all that will deffintly be replaced.

got tie rod ends to put on there.
Reply
Old Feb 14, 2006 | 05:04 PM
  #6  
Kentetsu's Avatar
Lives on the Forum
Tenured Member 15 Years
 
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 11,359
Likes: 14
From: Grand Rapids Michigan
idler arm bushings are dirt cheap and easy to replace (see rockauto.com)...
Reply
Old Feb 14, 2006 | 05:09 PM
  #7  
MosesX605's Avatar
My wife bought me 2 RX-7s
Tenured Member 20 Years
 
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 2,328
Likes: 3
From: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
Originally Posted by REVHED
Don't touch the steering box until you veryify the condition of all the steering components. That means idler arm, pitman arm, tie rod ends and ball joints. Then you can adjust the box to get rid of any excess play.
Quoted for truth. I've owned three 1st gens and the so called 'wondersteer' can almost always be traced back to worn front end/steering components. With everything in spec you'll have about an inch of freeplay in the wheel, which isn't great, but it's liveable.
Reply
Old Feb 14, 2006 | 05:13 PM
  #8  
Nicholas P.'s Avatar
Thread Starter
Rotary Enthusiast
Tenured Member 15 Years
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,415
Likes: 0
From: Louisiana
yaull are

Yaull are helping me out alot thx
Reply
Old Feb 14, 2006 | 06:07 PM
  #9  
Rx7carl's Avatar
Airflow is my life
Tenured Member 10 Years
 
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 6,736
Likes: 2
From: Orlando, Fl
Definately replace the idler bushings if theres any slop (and there probably is). And them look in the facts section over on mazspeed and adjust the box if it needs it. And also do check the steering tie rods and ball joints.
Reply
Old Feb 14, 2006 | 06:19 PM
  #10  
Nicholas P.'s Avatar
Thread Starter
Rotary Enthusiast
Tenured Member 15 Years
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,415
Likes: 0
From: Louisiana
Wow!

Originally Posted by Rx7carl
Definately replace the idler bushings if theres any slop (and there probably is). And them look in the facts section over on mazspeed and adjust the box if it needs it. And also do check the steering tie rods and ball joints.

ok it deffintly needs front end work, im deffintly replacing tie rod ends this weeknd...


the car tie rod ends look like its part of the tie rod its so rusted up. its no more drivable untill I get that fixed! cause I dont want a tie rod breaking while its being driven.

it deffintly needs front end work.
first time i looked at front end and tooken front tires off!

ewww
Reply
Old Dec 21, 2006 | 01:04 AM
  #11  
riceburner1r2001's Avatar
Rotary Freak
Tenured Member 05 Years
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,758
Likes: 0
From: riverside county
1200 whatcha smokin. there alot less then that at mazdatrix
Reply
Old Dec 21, 2006 | 01:33 AM
  #12  
Kentetsu's Avatar
Lives on the Forum
Tenured Member 15 Years
 
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 11,359
Likes: 14
From: Grand Rapids Michigan
After waiting ten months for you to come up with that comment, I'm wondering what you are smoking!
Reply
Old Dec 21, 2006 | 03:49 AM
  #13  
Nicholas P.'s Avatar
Thread Starter
Rotary Enthusiast
Tenured Member 15 Years
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,415
Likes: 0
From: Louisiana
lol!

Me and my dad ended up ordering new tie rod ends and it worked magic. I have no clue how, or why it did that. It worked though, and it only has an inch now. People who don't appreciate an inch dont know how lucky they are. lol

I had forgotton all about this thread. I think I should keep track of what I post
Reply
Old Dec 25, 2006 | 01:05 AM
  #14  
riceburner1r2001's Avatar
Rotary Freak
Tenured Member 05 Years
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,758
Likes: 0
From: riverside county
but u replied too kenetsu... hahaha
Reply
Old Dec 25, 2006 | 01:34 AM
  #15  
notveryhappyjack's Avatar
1 bar boost
Tenured Member 15 Years
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,753
Likes: 5
From: Seattle, Washington
.

Last edited by notveryhappyjack; Dec 25, 2006 at 01:36 AM. Reason: damm I feel dumb for posting, bye
Reply
Old Dec 25, 2006 | 02:49 AM
  #16  
trochoid's Avatar
Old Fart Young at Heart
Tenured Member 10 Years
iTrader: (6)
 
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 15,145
Likes: 8
From: St Joe MO
When replacing all the tierods, and yes, they are cheap enough that they should be done all at once, the adjusting nuts should be replaced too. They're only 7-8 bucks each. 1" of play is still too much, imho. Did you check the pre-load on the front wheel bearings?
Reply
Old Dec 25, 2006 | 11:10 AM
  #17  
Nicholas P.'s Avatar
Thread Starter
Rotary Enthusiast
Tenured Member 15 Years
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,415
Likes: 0
From: Louisiana
I'm gonna end up having all the rotors turned trochoid and re-doing the front bearings. I use to help my step dad at the mechanic shop so im familiar with that.
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
RyanFox
New Member RX-7 Technical
7
Sep 18, 2015 09:09 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:11 AM.