Alignment/Steering Rack Question
 

Recently, I put a new wheel setup on my car and it was pulling to the left/right. I knew at this point that I needed an alignment but I pushed it off because I was getting a new steering wheel as well.

Upon installation of the steering wheel, I tightened the bolt holding the hub down too much; consequently, part #2 broke in the diagram below because of how much I tightened it.

Attachment 554574

If I get an alignment for my RX7, will the problem come back due to that piece being missing? And if so, where do I find a replacement?

It seemed like it kept the steering wheel/hub aligned on the column, hence why I am curious before I pay for an alignment. I am sort of clueless when it comes to the operational function of the steering/wheel alignment.

Thank you.

the part #2 is Mazda part number FB01-66-126. i'm not sure i'm understanding the rest of the question, but its only job in life is to cancel the turn signals, and if you have an S4, it tells the steering computer not to beep constantly.

if the car pulls to one side or the other, it doesn't have anything to do with the turn signal cam

You're the best, thank you for the swift reply. I just had no idea of the function of the piece.

EDIT: My car has been vibrating violently due to a lack of alignment. I do not know much about alignments and I intend to take it to Firestone to have them perform a 4-wheel alignment. Do you have any resources providing information about alignments? (Not just your basic internet article, I mean RX7 specific so that I may understand to function of the suspension system as a whole).

If you have a violent vibration, alignment would be the least of my worries, usuaaly a vibration is a wore out inner or outer tierod, worn ball joins, bad wheel bearings, or bad tires

Well, prior to putting the new wheels/tires on my car, it drove perfectly fine. After doing so, it would pull in one direction or another. Eventually it started shaking violently and vibrating either my seat and areas around my front strut towers. I checked and the wheels are definitely unaligned.

If this does not correct the issues, I will take a look at those parts, though this should clear up the issue.

Don't worry, the alignment shop will tell you immediately, if any part of the front end is wore, they won't (and shouldn't) align it

Are your wheels weighted/balanced correctly? I know I've had a shop fuck that up on my conquest wheels and had vibrations.

Alright. I am on my phone typing this so it will not be as winded but I do need some help.


My alignment is great. Almost perfect. They performed the evaluation with no charge but told me that the vibrations are probably my lug nuts and I should purchase hub centric rings.

I have 17x9 MB Battles and I only had the stock lug nuts to put on after installation. I am replacing these as soon as my thin-wall socket comes in to do so.

Do you guys have any experience with hub centric rings? I thought these were more for applications with spacers, etc. I am not running spacers.

To clarify, my lugs were not loose or anything. They are not deep enough for the rim, though. They had not caused me any problems until recently but it still could be the depth of the lugs which I will try first.

If you goto any autoparts store, you can buy kits of wheel lugs that come with special socket for ~$30 for aftermarket wheels