I did a full search on this issue, and seems this hasn't been discussed before. I just had a engine swapped, course all the fluids were drained including power steering. I got the car back and it drove normal, day later it the car at higher then like 5 mph the steering turns incredibly tight. It feels like the power steering for whatever reason just Turns off. Under 5 mph the steering is back to its old power steering self, perfectly normal. I added more steering fluid.. bled it, and still nada.. I'm going to bring the car into my guy's place in the morning but I'd figure I'd try here first, maybe my idiot light isnt functioning in my head.

 

You dont need power steering, kinda sounds like the belt is loose or something. make sure ALL the belts are perfectly aligned. I have noticed this is a major problem with all things driving off the main crank.

Good luck
TRU

 

I know I don't need Powersteering. But I do drive this car daily in New Jersey.. and unfortunately its a pain in the *** not having it, a non functioning PS rack is worse then a manual rack.. the Belts are all aligned.. the problem happened went away for a few weeks then came back today

 

fuse prolly?

 

I have the same problem. This appeared after my engine swap. Belt is good, fluid is there. I bled the system and it kind of fixed it but its still there. At like 5mph the power steering works like a charm. Above 5mph, the power steering feels like its turning on and off.

Example: Im making a left or right turn and like midways into the turn, the power steering turns off so I have to kind of fight it. No PS error beeps play.

If anyone has had this problem and fixed it, please let us know. Thanks!!

 

I'm new to the rotary engine and only know the basics of how it performs. However, I had the same problem on my T/A. I don't know what belts you use in this car, but the cause of my problem was coolant leaking onto the accessory belt, which made my car HARD AS HELL to turn, and like you wan, its only when I'm making a right or left turn, or at least it WAS, its fixed now. But the car is broke.

 

every now and again my car will do the same but not often I was thinking about taking it off any way will it affect the handeling of car other than making it harder to turn slowly

 

same thing for me, but NO engine swap. everything is factory original. The P/S pump cuts off and on, but WHY ?

It is dangerous, because one minute it is smooth (and normal) and the next it stiffens off, and I'm afraid if I over corrected it because of the tighter feel when going 60+mph and then it will smooth out at that moment

 

wow, I never thought this would turn into a standing problem with alot of Rx-7 owners.. I'm heading to Ito's right now If he knows the solution right away I'll be back to post in an hour or so.

 

Same problem here guys. THis is on a 1990 TII and I just got a engine rebuild about 2 months ago

 

Okay, I get into the car and the problems gone.. I go all the way to Ito's to have him check it.. and I'm like screw it its gone... On the way back home the problem returns but only at speeds above 30 mph it seems.. I shrug it off and go home. I hate going to a mechanic for a problem that doesn't just pop out at you... I was hoping someone here would post something solving it.. but again I have tomorrow off also if something doesn't change I'll bring the car down early.

 

Exactly. Could a small crack in one of the PS hoses cause air to go in the system? Bad PS fluid maybe?

Before I swapped my engine, that same PS pump worked great! I never had a problem with it. After my engine swap, the PS starts acting funny. Someone out there has to know how to fix this annoying/dangerous problem.

Im considering putting a manual rack in there now

 

i got the same problem!!! anything out of first gear it does it.... stupid FC's always have weird problems...

 

There was a thread a long time ago with this same problem, it was something to do with a fitting on the pump, but I remember it was still unclear if that is the real cause of the problem

I was also considering the manual rack swap, but I have not been able to locate on around here

 

does anyone know where to get manual rack I really dont like P/S and would pefer to just ditch it rather than fix it

 

thats really odd, Again, Today the car is acting fine... I think it might have something to do with the belts being wet though... check to see if you have any lubrication accidently on the belts

 

nope, belts are good and dry with the proper tension. it is a problem that just comes and goes.

 

I have the same problem in my '87 Sport! PLEASE HELP US SOMEONE!!!

Isaac