I recently had my rear sway bar replaced with an RB one because my bushings were just completely shot. I was hoping this would fix the issue but it hasn't. Right now there's a weird noise coming from the back of the car like something is lose or knocking while driving or when I first back up in reverse. Also, the other main issue is that when I make a full turn (left lane turning at a light) once I complete the turn and go to straighten out the wheel, it's not centered anymore. It's actually about 90 degrees or diagonal. The way to correct this is that I have to jerk the steering wheel to the right which causes the car to push off to the right in one quick movement but it does put the steering wheel back completely straight. Haven't had much time to put the car on a lift and look under it yet, but to start.. any thoughts?

 

how's the driveshaft? ujoints?

the second thing happens to me sometimes... i was thinking tierods, but might be related to the springs.

 

Driveshaft I think was replaced sometime about 6 months ago and should be fine. The ujoints might need replacing. I've had RB springs (un-cut) and Tokico blues on the car for 1 year now, was bought brand new. Can't imagine they'd be going bad after only a year? I do daily drive the car, but don't really do too much driving seeing as I walk to work across the street

 

WTH?

Dude, that's not safe. One of two things has happened; 1) your steering arm which attaches to the steering gearbox has sheared the splines and is allowed to spin, held only by the lock-nut and cotter pin, or 2) the crash-safe collapsible steering column pin has sheared off in your steering column.

Either way, that's not safe to drive that way, as you've described it. Get under there (the car, and the dash) and take a good look and figure out what's causing that before you go careening off the road into a bus load of nuns...

 

I've never seen it but is the watts link on the rear end broken or flexing? I see that mazdatrix sells a brace for the center pivot. The watts linkage keeps the rear end centered and I would think it moving would act similar. whatever it is I wouldn't be driving it that way its a good way to get killed.

 

i'm not completely satisfied with the answers on the steering yet.

what i was meaning about the springs is if they aren't on exactly correct...

 

Going to try to bring it by the shop tomorrow to get up on the lift and looked at, will post updates.

 

How long has the steering issue been there?

 

I'd say it's been about a month and a half now.

 

A thread on when i had a similar problem.





https://www.rx7club.com/1st-gen-archive-71/steering-steering-issue-not-returning-center-after-turns-846138/

 

Interesting read. Seems like your issue was a tad bit different but shared similarities none the less. I know you had changed out a lot of things before you came to your conclusion, and I know for a fact I'm going to need to do the same. Hopefully I can get the car up on a lift soon and start investigating further, doesn't feel safe driving it like this.

 

kerebrus, its only left hand turns? or does it also happen a little on right hand turns?

 

Happens on both left or right, mostly left though.

 

ok, then its pretty much the same problem i have.

and i drove down to seven stock with no real problems.. everything was within spec on my allignment too

 

So you have the same issue where when you make a turn the steering wheel doesn't return back to centered position?

 

yup, and i live with it. i've got coilovers, so i'm not sure if doc's fix would be the same as mine... anyway i need to replace my balljoints, idlerarms, tierods everything.

but i'm currently saving up for the R&P kit.. so those parts will be put off till later. i'm not even driving the car daily anymore

 

Crazy.. I don't think I can live with it anymore. Worries me too much. Not to mention, my steering box is junked and has a lot of play which I'm working on having replaced asap.. I'm sure that will make a difference.

 

how are the rest of the bushings and bearings?

when was the last time you had an alignment?

 

Bushings and bearings most likely all need to be replaced.. I'm having an alignment done today we'll see what happens. After examining the front of the car, the front alignment is definitely out of wack.

 

Update:

I'm having the following bought brand new and replaced on my car.. let's see how well it handles after this!

- 2 Inner tie rod ends
- 2 Outer tie rod ends
- Pitman arm
- Lower ball joints
- Inner controller arm bushings
- Tension rod bushings
- Fully Rebuilt Steering box
- Sway bar end links

Finally stage will be the alignment and should be good to go. I'm going to post up some pics of how bad all those parts are that are currently on the car as well!

 

If you're going to do all of that, might as well also throw in $40 for a MOOG idler arm assembly.

Plus, be sure to check or replace your sway bar mount bushings, too.

I replaced everything you have listed there (and above) over the past year, and the car drives like new. I'm amazed at what a difference it makes over the previous steering experience. Good luck,

 

I replaced the idler arm with a new MOOG one a few months back, it's still in top notch condition, but good looking out!

 

Update:

Everything on the list above has been installed (minus rebuilt steering box) and wow I must say there is a huge difference. Unfortunately it does feel like the current steering box is still holding the car back from it's full potential and does need that new one installed but for now the difference is excellent. I plan to install my rebuilt steering box in 2 weeks.. more updates to come.

 

Going to be installing some more stuff in 2 weeks when we do the new steering box which include:

- Rear lower links (2x)
- Rear upper links (2x)
- New Nardi steering wheel with Momo hub
- New turn signal switch component

The lower and upper links should help in the rear with some noises I've been hearing.
Can't wait to get this all done.. so much $$!

 

When you first go into reverse what is it a ding/knock sound?

I used to get that, someone here said to put it through the gears first, but I'd also get a knocking sound sometimes taking off in first.