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Can you adjust the preload for the rack and pinion for the 3rd gen rx7 steering rack

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Old Apr 19, 2021 | 10:30 PM
  #1  
palthyboy's Avatar
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From: NC
Can you adjust the preload for the rack and pinion for the 3rd gen rx7 steering rack

So It looks like I have just the ever so slight play in my steering, when I wiggle the wheel back and forth you can hear a slight clicking. I went through and read through some of the threads on here and checked the brackets and made sure that the rack was tightened down, and it does not seem that the u joint or the steering shaft it self has any play, but you can see the shaft turn ever so slightly and it not turn the wheel.

So my question is can you adjust the preload for the steering rack to remove that play in a 1994 RHD rx7?

I saw this video with a fix for a Miata(not the best way or use of the right tools but made me wonder):
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Old Apr 20, 2021 | 02:03 AM
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Rather than push the saddle on the rack down harder, have you checked the top uni first? It's secured by a straight pin through a hollow shaft that can cause lost motion and freeplay and clicking noise.....which is probably indicative of a life spent doing carpark manoeuvres with no forward motion.
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Old Apr 20, 2021 | 07:50 AM
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So How would I get to that upper Uni joint? Sorry if thats a dumb question, just I have not really worked too much on steering components in a car before. I was looking in from the engine bay and im assuming the Master brake booster is sitting right above it, and not sure how I would get up there from underneath the car. I can check that out later today.

Also when I checked it I had someone move the steering wheel and did not notice any play except for at that point on the rack where the shaft was turning and the clicking seems to be coming from the rack.
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Old Apr 20, 2021 | 09:09 AM
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Only common problem I've really seen with steering is the bushings that hold the rack in place get shot and the rack itself has a lot of movement. This is moreso on early 93's.

I saw on your other post you have a RHD car. I have NO idea how hard it is to pull the rack and column on a RHD car since the column goes right by the turbos, there's not gonna be a lot of room there.

Generally what you have is not a common issue, something may have happened in the car's history, who knows. You're gonna have to dig deeper in your car to try and find some answers.

Dale
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Old Apr 20, 2021 | 04:13 PM
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Here's the culprit from a few years ago, shown on a rhd. https://www.rx7club.com/3rd-generati...-what-1111069/ Before you start digging into the rack, I'd check that out first. Personally haven't heard of pinion mesh ever playing up on these, but suppose it's a possibility.

Been a while since I've played with a twins set-up, but if you do find it's the problem, you might find a combination of unis, extensions and turning the wheel and working from up top and underneath is required. Re-centering the wheel afterwards might be the the biggest hassle if there is an issue. As you can see, not inexpensive! https://www.amayama.com/en/catalogs/...lumn-gear-2783
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Old Apr 20, 2021 | 09:46 PM
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Thanks for sharing! I'll have to take a look at that, I went through the thread, so mine is RHD and getting to that steering rack i know is going to be a pain so I'll have to take a look at it when I can spend some time on it especially since its under the twins. Also thanks for the link for where I can buy the parts, that will definitely make life easier.
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