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Mazda RX7. Manual - part 63

STEERING GEAR - MANUAL

Article Text

1983 Mazda RX7

For www.iluvmyrx7.com

Sunday, August 26, 2001 08:20PM

ARTICLE BEGINNING

1983 STEERING
Mazda - Recirculating Ball

B2000 & B2200 Pickups, GLC Wagon, RX7

DESCRIPTION

Steering gear is a recirculating ball type with a variable
ratio, depending on turning angle of sector shaft. The worm gear and
steering shaft are an integral (non-separable) unit.
Steering linkage is basically the same for all models,
having a non-adjustable center link, 2 adjustable tie rods, an idler
arm assembly, and pitman arm.

ADJUSTMENT

NOTE: Adjustments are performed during assembly portion of
overhaul. See OVERHAUL procedure in this article.

REMOVAL & INSTALLATION

STEERING GEAR

Removal (B2000 & B2200 Pickups)
1) Remove steering wheel and column, See
STEERING COLUMN SWITCHES article. Remove air cleaner
and brake master cylinder. On column shift models remove the lower
bracket from the selection rod and shift rod.
2) Raise front end and disconnect center link from pitman
arm using appropriate puller. Remove bolts and nuts holding steering
gear to frame and remove steering gear.

STEERING GEAR - MANUAL

Article Text (p. 2)

1983 Mazda RX7

For www.iluvmyrx7.com

Sunday, August 26, 2001 08:20PM

Fig. 1: Exploded View of Steering Gear Assembly (Pickups)

Removal (GLC Wagon)
1) Disconnect negative battery cable. Remove steering wheel
and switches. See STEERING COLUMN SWITCHES article. Remove bolts
holding column to dash. Loosen dust cover
screws, any other column bolts and pull column jacket off shaft.
2) With vehicle raised, disconnect center link from pitman
arm with puller. Drop exhaust system. Remove steering gear mounting
bolts and pull gear forward after raising vehicle.

Fig. 2: Exploded View of Steering Gear Assembly (GLC Wagon and RX7)

Removal (RX7)

STEERING GEAR - MANUAL

Article Text (p. 3)

1983 Mazda RX7

For www.iluvmyrx7.com

Sunday, August 26, 2001 08:20PM

1) Disconnect negative battery cable. Remove steering wheel
and switches. See STEERING COLUMN SWITCHES. Remove hood, steering
column covers and air duct.
Disconnect couplers of combination switch and remove the switch
assembly.
2) Raise and support front of vehicle. Disconnect pitman arm
and center link. Remove nuts and bolts retaining steering gear
housing to body. Remove steering gear assembly from vehicle through
engine compartment.

Installation (All Models)
To install, reverse removal procedure, ensuring any shims
which were removed are installed in original positions.

NOTE: To avoid damage to steering column components, do not apply
bending or striking forces to steering shaft or column.

STEERING LINKAGE

Steering linkage may be removed as an assembly or as
individual components. Whenever tie rod setting is disturbed, toe-in
must be reset. See WHEEL ALIGNMENT SPECIFICATIONS & PROCEDURES
article.

OVERHAUL

DISASSEMBLY

Steering Gear
1) On all models, drain gear oil from housing. Remove pitman
arm from sector shaft, if not removed previously. Remove sector shaft
adjusting screw lock nut. Remove side cover attaching bolts and
remove side cover by turning adjusting screw clockwise.
2) Remove sector shaft adjusting screw and shim from sector
shaft. Remove sector shaft carefully to avoid damage to oil seal.
3) On B2000 and B2200 models, remove lock ring, adjusting
plug with oil seal, outer bearing, worm ball nut assembly and inner
bearing.
4) On GLC Wagon and RX7 models, remove ball nut/worm gear
adjusting plug lock nut. Then remove adjusting plug and withdraw ball
nut, worm gear and steering shaft assembly from gear housing.

INSPECTION

1) Check the action of ball nut assembly on the worm gear.
If movement is not smooth for full length of travel, replace worm and
ball nut assembly. Worm and ball nut are not serviced separately.
2) Check worm bearings and cups, sector shaft gear surface,
and oil seal. Check clearance between sector shaft and housing bore.
Clearance should be .004" (.1 mm) or less. If any component is
defective, replace it.

STEERING GEAR - MANUAL

Article Text (p. 4)

1983 Mazda RX7

For www.iluvmyrx7.com

Sunday, August 26, 2001 08:20PM

Fig. 3: Checking Sector Shaft Adjusting Screw End Clearance

REASSEMBLY & ADJUSTMENT

Steering Gear
Replace oil seals if necessary. Insert worm gear, ball nut
assembly into gear housing. Check preload of worm ball nut.

Worm Bearing Preload
1) Check preload (without sector shaft) with a spring scale
and 3.9" (10 cm) attachment, preload reading should be .44-1.10 lbs.
(.2-.5 kg).
2) Loosen lock nut and tighten or loosen adjusting screw if
preload is not to specifications. Tighten lock nut securely.

Fig. 4: Aligning Sector Shaft to Ball Nut

Sector Shaft End Play
1) Check clearance between sector shaft adjusting screw and
sector shaft. Insert shim so that final clearance will be .004" (.1
mm) or less. Insert sector shaft with ball nut. See Fig. 4.
2) Insert adjusting screw and shim in sector shaft. Place
side cover and gasket over adjusting screw and turn adjusting screw
until cover is in place, then install cover bolts.

Steering Gear Backlash
1) Install pitman arm to sector shaft. Install and tighten
retaining nut. Measure pitman arm backlash. If necessary, turn sector
adjusting screw until zero backlash is obtained.
2) Tighten adjusting screw lock nut, taking care not to
disturb backlash adjustment.
3) Check worm shaft rotating torque. Attach an INCH lb.

Content .. 61 62 63 64 ..