Worm Bearing Preload; Sector Shaft End Play; Steering Gear Backlash; Checking Sector Shaft Adjusting Screw End Clearance - Mazda 1983 RX7 Service Manual

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.
STEERING GEAR - MANUAL
Article Text (p. 4)
1983 Mazda RX7
For www.iluvmyrx7.com
Copyright © 1998 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC
Sunday, August 26, 2001 08:20PM