all this excitment about the rack and pinion kit has got me wondering what makes the stock steering system so bad. im not questioning whether its bad, i have had plenty of experience with floaty steering , im just curious why it does this. the rack and pinion is a simple concept but im not familiar with how the stock steering system works.

 

Because it is very slow, vague, and imprecise--- characteristics that nobody wants in an otherwise responsive sportscar. It could (and often does) mean the difference between recovering from fishtailing and losing control in an emergency. (the car will swap ends faster than you can manipulate the steering wheel). Also when they wear out they're a bitch to properly adjust.
Rack & pinion on the other hand is simple, quick, and very precise--- and the rx7 is the perfect car for it.

 

Recirculating ball isn't that bad. BMW used it for years after many automakers had switched to rack and pinion.

 

www.howstuffworks.com

take a look there. when i saw how recirculating ball steering works, i was aghast. theres soo much stress on a very few teeth on the steering gear. it made me wonder that it lasts as long as it does.

 

Properly adjusted, the recirc steering isn't that bad. I autoX my 7 on a fairly regular basis, and it serves me quite well. I have no trouble keeping up with the car even when it's getting out of shape.

It's the rear suspension that really needs attention on the 1st gen 7, IMHO.

 

Did you remove the rear sway bar? I took mine off before the last autocross and it made a huge difference.

 

stock bar?....and how good was the difference?

 

I am planning on it, but my next event is two weekends away. I'm going through withdrawal!

 

hell yea, the 24hour event is coming up here in a few weeks!! WOO WOOOOOO!

 

what makes it less responsive than rack and pinion?

 

Not as direct--- more turns of the steering wheel lock-to-lock are required with Mazda's recirculating ball steering (aka "wonder steering", because you turn the wheel and then "wonder" where the car is going to go) than with rack&pinion.
When Mazda designed the first gen 7, the bean counters were trying to keep production costs down. Rather than design an efficient r&p system they chose instead to use recirculating ball units from their existing parts bin--- the same ones used on their pickup trucks.

 

I never 'wonder where the car is going to go.' I turn the wheel and the car responds. Wonder steering only occurs when the box is out of spec, an easily rectified situation.

 

or you put extra wide tires up front...

Mine was fine until I put the new wheels on... now it catches every stupid ridge in the road and slings me around the lane everywhich way on a bad stretch of highway...

 

so it has a lot of bump steer....why?

 

not really bump steer... just floats..

Imagine driving down an asphalt road where the two tracks where all teh car's tires ride have been worn down a few inches... you can hold the wheel straight and the car will wander from one side of the lane to another as it catches the ridges...

bump steer woudl be the wheel turning as you hit an actual bump in teh road...

 

The recirculating ball steering is just fine. It just needs to have attention paid to it after 20 years. But it's a real knuckle-busting PITA to do it, and it does'nt take 20 more years for it to get the 1.25 inch of play in it again.

I just keep up with mine, and it serves me fine.

 

mines fine
I doubt its original tho
no play very preice
but if there is a set of brakets for R&P for a resonable price, the lack of constant adjustment would be worth it

 

I have quite possibly the worlds worst box in my 83 GSL, and I never had any problems keeping up with it other than it having far too much play. As a matter of fact, Ive saved my own life about twice that I can think of even with that shitty steering. I went from that to driving my Dads 85 GSL with no play and a smaller Grant wheel, and Ill admit that its a HUGE difference, and the car feels like it handles better, and I find myself taking corners faster on my regular route, but I dont think that Ill be putting a R&P kit in any of my cars anytime soon. Ill just adjust my box properly and call it good. Its never been adjusted in its whole life, lol. Still has the protective caps and covers on everything, lol.

~T.J.

 

why does recirculating ball steering exist? i mean the R&P is a MUCH simpler design, and needs less maintaining.

 

no problems with this type steering for me but im an old fart keep good tires on your car and allways remember the most important "go fast"part of any car is the driver

 

I know mercedes still uses recirculating ball steering in some of thier cars. But also remember mercedes isn't know for thier steering feel either.