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Index > Suspension > Thread: Sloppy steering
Thread: Sloppy steering [' This thread is 4 pages long: 1 2 3 (4) ']
Brad


Rotorhead
Posts: 1672
posted April 03, 2008 03:05 PM

steering box

they're still having trouble finding seals for it. said aftermarket has nada and they'll take it to a MAZDA dealer parts dept.

       
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Brad


Rotorhead
Posts: 1672
posted April 15, 2008 11:13 AM

all the hardware is done but mazda and ford don't have any seals for it. they're gonna try to find some seals in the shop that are close and either modify the box to take it or switch to o-rings. joy

       
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Brad


Rotorhead
Posts: 1672
posted April 25, 2008 12:39 PM

they found a new catalog for National

and the new catalog has METRIC seals. they ordered some.
____________
-brad-
74 REPU Lawn Green
81 Rx-7 racecar. 12a J-
Bridge

       
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tom93r1


Redlining
Posts: 458
posted April 25, 2008 04:07 PM

I cant wait to see how this comes out. My steering is getting sloppy these days.

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Jeff20B


Moderator
Posts: 661
posted May 01, 2008 11:20 AM

I recently installed a smaller steering wheel and tightened the box a little more as it was loosening up after 700 miles(I found a less worn section of the sector bolt or whatever it's called). So far so good.

       
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VintageMazda


1st Gear
Posts: 25
posted May 14, 2008 11:08 AM
Edited By: VintageMazda on 14 May 2008 11:09

hey

Do you neeed any new parts?
____________
My Middle Name is Japan.

       
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Brad


Rotorhead
Posts: 1672
posted May 14, 2008 12:02 PM

OMG it's done!

$254.17 and ships out to=day.
____________
-brad-
74 REPU Lawn Green
81 Rx-7 racecar. 12a J-
Bridge

       
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Brad


Rotorhead
Posts: 1672
posted May 16, 2008 01:03 PM

Arrived yesterday. All cleaned up, painted. Stamped "LEE 05-08" Looks good. Turned it by hand, seems like less play. Turns smoother.

Install it in a week or so.
____________
-brad-
74 REPU Lawn Green
81 Rx-7 racecar. 12a J-
Bridge

       
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2wankel


Hauling
Posts: 133
posted May 25, 2008 08:03 AM

quote:
Arrived yesterday. All cleaned up, painted. Stamped "LEE 05-08" Looks good. Turned it by hand, seems like less play. Turns smoother.

Install it in a week or so.


Seems like less play, nooooooo! I thought it was a complete rebuild. Did you mean no play? :-)
____________


VMRC Website

       
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Brad


Rotorhead
Posts: 1672
posted May 27, 2008 09:43 AM

it's hard to tell when it's not installed and turning it a small increment.

but all boxes have some play. i'll install it soon, i miss not driving the REPU.

       
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2wankel


Hauling
Posts: 133
posted May 27, 2008 06:37 PM

quote:
but all boxes have some play. i'll install it soon, i miss not driving the REPU.


hopefully not much, thanks for paving the way for us.
____________


VMRC Website

       
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Brad


Rotorhead
Posts: 1672
posted June 02, 2008 10:55 AM

Okay, got it installed

But the brake booster and surrounding area had rust so I stripped that down to bare metal and am painting all nice and perty. Should be able to drive it later this week.

It does feel smoother but I can tell even with the wheels removed and up on jackstands that there still is steering wheel play. There's definately less play than before and I think it's less than an inch of play so it's within spec. Part of the problem is 5 balljoints and an idler arm that the pitman arm has to move (4 tie rod ends + 1 on center link). Compared to a rack and pinion that only has two tie rods to load up and move and typically have quicker ratios. The other contributing factor is the truck's steering box ratio rather slow which equates to being easier to turn the steering wheel and big tires, but the front wheels turn slower.

I'll let you guys know more after I drive the truck.

____________
-brad-
74 REPU Lawn Green
81 Rx-7 racecar. 12a J-
Bridge

       
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MAZDAMARK


Hauling
Posts: 139
posted June 03, 2008 02:28 PM

Hey Brad-

Are you still planning the group buy for the lengthened center links?
____________
94 RX7
89 RX7 GTUs
85 GSLSE
88 323 GTX
1975 REPU

       
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Brad


Rotorhead
Posts: 1672
posted June 03, 2008 04:27 PM

well

quote:
Hey Brad-

Are you still planning the group buy for the lengthened center links?


Talked to Sparky who thinks he may be able to weld them up for less. And lives not too far from me so I can drop off a completed one for comparison. But it's a cast steel piece which gets tricky. I'll let Sparky chime in as he's welcome to weld.
____________
-brad-
74 REPU Lawn Green
81 Rx-7 racecar. 12a J-
Bridge

       
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sparky


Redlining
Posts: 299
posted June 03, 2008 04:49 PM

Ding....ding...

I don't see why welding won't work. May invole pre-heat and special rod. I actually just thought of a better idea.... I have a spare used courier center link (Thanks Wvoight) just checked the diameter of the center section, identical diameter of 1/2" pipe. It would be really easy to cut and thread center section with extension piece of pipe. Use couplings and 1/2" schedule 80 pipe for extension. Tack weld couplings to keep everything tight. May even use jam nuts to lock threads. Tell me what you think. Brad...how much did you increase length of you midified center link???

       
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Brad


Rotorhead
Posts: 1672
posted June 04, 2008 10:51 AM


I think that's an option but not really necessary as we have tie rods to adjust the length to set toe. Personally I'd rather have it welded and solid; two less threaded items in the steering to worry about coming loose, stripping, or bending. Plus if it's threaded then you can set the ANGLE wrong - have it cockeyed.

It's about 4" longer.

       
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sparky


Redlining
Posts: 299
posted June 04, 2008 04:40 PM

Good point Brad....When I replace my center link I'll try the threaded pipe option. I'll use couplings with jam nuts and tack weld everything. A complete weld would be stronger, but I think it's overkill.

       
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Brad


Rotorhead
Posts: 1672
posted June 05, 2008 09:41 PM


       
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