Hi
I have a FB series 3 with a 12B engine 1985 ( I'm the in UK so UK spec.) The steering is very stiff, any advice on how to adjust this or can the oil be changed in the steering box ?

 

First things that I would ask:

Steering is stiff as in hard to turn the steering wheel?
Is this something you have been noticing more and more?
Is this something that happened all the sudden, etc. etc.?

Text book checks would be: Poor lubrication / Mechaincal binding / Low fluid level /
Air in system / Damaged steering components (gears/shafts/etc.) / Very bad tires
or very low air pressure / and of course Loose belt or bad pump.

I will hit you back in a few with some quick checks you can do at home pretty easy
in case you havent tried these.

 

Quick easy troubleshooting by process of elimination. Again, I sort of wish I new
some more specifics. If steering is hard to steer as in hard to turn the steering
wheel first check the belt and fluid level. That is not likely the problem, but those are two possible causes that you can eliminate. Second, I would either raise the
front wheels off the ground and see how steering wheel feels compared to car on the ground or take off the drive belt for pump and compare to how car steers with
belt on. These may lead you to mechanical part failure of mechanical binding underneath or possible pump failure. Hint: if car is to be running stationary for
any amount of time keep steering wheel straight (front wheels straight). Otherwise you build up alot of heat in pump, etc. I'll try to think of some other
things, if I do I will hit you back.

 

First the this model does not have power steering, therefore the steering has always been fairly stiff and hard to turn, the car has been layed up for the last 10 years with very light use. I have just replaced all the braking system, but on the test drive noticed that the steering was stiffer than I remember.

Thanks for your help, and it is nice to know that the RX7 has such a great following in the USA, because sad to say the FB models in the UK are becomming less and less and hard to get parts for.

Cheers
Dibs

 

Pull into a garage or oil change place, and ask them to add some grease to the ball joints and tie rod ends. If they charge you at all for this, it should only be a couple of bucks.

There is also a small plastic cap on the gear box itself, remove that and add some oil if low.

Good luck...

.

 

HI Kentetsu, thanks for your addvice, the oil level is low in the steeringbox, what oil should I use in it.

Dibs