Rack and pinion steering kit for 78-85 Rx7

[travellinbob]

Yep ok, so i reckon that if it is as bad as you say it is then there must be something fundamentally wrong with it. i.e. a faulty part because i have driven about 20 old skool mazdas and jhave never had cause to \'put one away in the garage\' because it was that bad.
---wheel alignment
---mk1 steering box
---rack and pinion steering or sell to me for peanuts

 seriously it is such a nice car and you have obviously spent heaps on it surely you would want to use it? therefore get it fixed.
 cheers,michael.

[alban1973]

I think there are a few points to be considered here in regards to Don\'s car, . I have worked and restored many cars and always advise people you have to be sensible in your approach. spending big money in one area of the car is not really a good idea, you have to start with thinking where you want to go with the car and how you will use it. also a lot of people spend a lot of time in their modern cars with ABS and all sorts of fancy driver aids, then they buy a classic car and expect it to handle, start stop like their new ones, if you think what 20 odd year old cars were like to drive when the gen 1 was new you will get the idea. tyres, brakes and suspension are the most important part of the car, as you will have found out. Changing wheels to huge sizes also makes a big difference, the car will tram line drasticly, show up any issues in the suspension system. You cannot really blame the car and i am not digging at anyone here, but you have to work through everything, check all the settings and bushes correctly, even try it with the original size wheels on it, change the steering box if it comes to it,  I\'m sure that is a lot cheaper than making a rotary 7?? as mentioned..  i can honestly say that my gen 1 the suspension bushes and the shockers etc are not at their best, but it is set up as it should be and is absolutly fine to drive.  so dont give up, find a decent and most importanly, interested, mechanic who is willing to do a bit of play around. you might find you dont even have to throw any parts at it.. who knows, and you wont know if you dont try..  good luck

[shaunwil]

As I bought my car off alan i have to agree. The handlking on these cars arn\'t that bad if things are setup ok. Mine didn\'t have any bushes in the idler arm and the car did wander quite a bit. Installed new ones (about 1hr job) and tightened the steering box up and it made a massive difference.

Whiteline do a full uprate kit for the FB as well, maybe it could be knackered dampers or antiroll bars..

Shaun

[Don Pamponi]

Tracking has been checked.  If you could see under my car (restored all painted, powder coated suspension & running gear, new bolts & bushes etc), it kinda hard to beleive it is something knackered or worn out that is the cause.  However, the guy who rebuilt it was basically just a spray painter.  He left me with LOADS of problems especially with noises comming from the suspension.  So I can beleive that this was never set up to correct specs.

I may now have a lead on a mechanic who could be interested in taking a look at the steering, but he isn\'t an RX guy.

As to not being used to old cars - I have never driven anything else!  I started with 20 year old fords so I know what to expect from that vintage.  These are nowhere near as easy to chuck around, probably why FB\'s are a dieing breed (that & the short engine lifespan).  They look great, but are a bit tank like to drive.  Don\'t get me wrong, I am an enthusiast, this is my second FB, but lets not delude ourselves: old escorts or something of a similar age are MUCH more user freindly in the steering/chuckability department.

[alban1973]

hi dom..  Was not having a dig with the last post .  Just to help you along a little bit,,  Just because all the bushes are new does not mean things are ok.  Most people when fitting new bushes do so with the car in unsprung position, i.e wheels off the ground, they fit nice new bushes, tighten everything up, and think, excellent job done,,  Unfortunalty not the case, the actual correct way is to tighten everything up when the car has been settled in its normal ride position, I  move the car around and give it an hour or so to fully settle.. so there is no tension on the bushes, I have driven many cars expecially jags with lots of bushes in this state and they are harsh and twitchy,,,  Also tracking can be fine, but does the person who works the gear know how to use it to its full advantage...  not saying any of these things are wrong on you car, but just things that are done wrong and will have abearing on handling.   good luck..

[shaunwil]

The other big question is who did the bushes and who did the tracking torque all the bolts up to the reconmended torque settings. Sometimes they just run round with a spanner too and don\'t worry about it and over tighten stuff stopping it from moving.

Shaun

[alban1973]

hows the project shaun??

[Don Pamponi]

You can bet your ass no torque wrenches were ever used on this car!

[kev-yorks]

How do id a series one box?

[oldone]

Will have to check for you Kevs\'......

[kev-yorks]

Pretty sure Shaun had his hands on one sat.
Kevin

[shaunwil]

hows the project shaun??

Actually coming along nice TBH, i\'ve jimmy rigged a manual fan controller until my replacement thermostat turns up but shes running again !!! Hoping to use it a couple of days this week for work !

Have you seen my other thread

Shaun

[shaunwil]

So thats a series one box then !!!! Would be an interesting thread showing what you have done to swap it over !

ps i\'ll bring the mat back next weekend and have that rear axle please

Shaun

[Don Pamponi]

6 months in a garage & she starts 1st time!
(still poo steering tho)
Cant put it away now co it wont stop raining long enough to dry out

[Don Pamponi]

Does make me want to drive it tho, seeing sitting there