Want electrical or hydraulic power steering conversion on my RX 7 first generation

[spitfire]

I dont think the mazda 929 box will work, the pitman arm is different on a 929, the really old (1974-76) 929 Luce shared the exact same steering/suspension setup as the 1980-1983 Mazda 626 but I never came across any 626 that had power steering.

The later 1977-1979 929 Luces had power steering that has a longer pitman arm and longer idler arm and slightly inboard knuckle eyes for the tierods (when my dad bought a full loaded 929 he came to know of this anomaly at the yard when he wanted to replace the drag link).

The RX7 power steering box is geared for less turns (read as sporty driving) and the knuckle mount angle would be different too. Best for you is to find a box from a 7, and for that it would have to be sourced from Australia - them folks are still tooling around in the first gens and are RHD.

Thank you so much brother for your valuable input...I also never came across a Mazda 626 with power steering (RWD)...
Also not sure about 929 as far as power steering is concerned .I don't think that there is any with original engine and steering setup....most/all of them are altered...
I have only seen one 929 Luce in Lahore and that was left hand drive...Found it many times in the parking of Liberty Market but could not get a chance to have a look in the engine bay...So again not sure..:)...But these cars share many mechanical parts ....Pitman arm of the 7 can be used if splines are the same provided the power box is a bolt on fit.....few years back while looking for a power box of this car....came across a power box quite similar to this but was not a bolt on fit...And I did not give it a try to save the originality of the car....knuckle mount angle in this case is very important because the steering rod (Between pitman and idler arm ) passes REAL close to the chamber of the engine.....so a little misalignment and trouble is there....
Any website of Australia from where we can order online???? suggestions for electric power steering......any possibilities....

[Xulfiqar]

ebay australia or rx7 forums would be choice. Anyway just a word of advice, if for any reason you have to remove the steering gearbox for any purpose be it repair/replace etc. Be sure to use new genuine bolts and threadlock on them - The steering box takes all the load when turning the wheels and this gives a mighty good stretchy workout to the bolts holding it to the car.

You are right not many old 929s are around anymore. Its a shame because they were fantastic cars.

[afarooqi]

No success in finding Knight rider lights....

And I think there will be NO SUCCESS in finding the power steering box as well ...neither converting it into electric power steering....

So many experts around....but no one bothers to spend some time and efforts in this respect.....:(...

Rehman bhai,

I am still after it. will let u know by tomorrow finally.

[spitfire]

ebay australia or rx7 forums would be choice. Anyway just a word of advice, if for any reason you have to remove the steering gearbox for any purpose be it repair/replace etc. Be sure to use new genuine bolts and threadlock on them - The steering box takes all the load when turning the wheels and this gives a mighty good stretchy workout to the bolts holding it to the car.

You are right not many old 929s are around anymore. Its a shame because they were fantastic cars.

We can not use ebay from Pakistan directly because in paypall....PAKISTAN is not listed....and there is not any other reliable/safe mode of payment to the individual sellers on Ebay....I suppose...
Its non Power box is in perfect condition ...works well...I am going to give it a try with a little Slimmer tyres and normal rims instead of these 205's and hollow rims....lets see the results....

[spitfire]

Rehman bhai,

I am still after it. will let u know by tomorrow finally.

Thanks Adeel Bhai....Obliged...

[spitfire]

Any one who has converted a non power steering into EPS ???

Please share your experience..

[afarooqi]

Regarding EPS, I have got it done in my mamoo's Alto. It worked like a charm, bolt on replacement, wired to battery. RPM and speed sensor were connected to make it harder on higher RPMs and high speed.

But for mazda, it is a question mark.

[PKTUN]

Bhai zara detail mai bata dayn yahan khuzdar mai cng alto bohat hain. kon si gari ka EPS ap nai leya hai aur wiring ke detail bata dayn 1 diy experiment karnay mai koi haraj nahi. please thank you

Regarding EPS, I have got it done in my mamoo's Alto. It worked like a charm, bolt on replacement, wired to battery. RPM and speed sensor were connected to make it harder on higher RPMs and high speed.

But for mazda, it is a question mark.

[afarooqi]

Bhai zara detail mai bata dayn yahan khuzdar mai cng alto bohat hain. kon si gari ka EPS ap nai leya hai aur wiring ke detail bata dayn 1 diy experiment karnay mai koi haraj nahi. please thank you

Alto Japan assembled ka power steering lagaya tha. Wiring details ka pata nahi, mechanic nay lagayee thee, but manual search kar lo internet par wiring details mil jayain gee.

[Xulfiqar]

Ive installed EPS into Altos and Cuores - Cuore is a pain in the behind (whole rack replaced and the wiring is a cluster)

Installing EPS in Alto is basically a bolt on job, remove original column and combination switch, install EPS column, run wires from a relay to energize the steering controller, the speed, rpm and warning light and ground wires are very easily traceable as the gauge cluster is right on top of it.

[spitfire]

Regarding EPS, I have got it done in my mamoo's Alto. It worked like a charm, bolt on replacement, wired to battery. RPM and speed sensor were connected to make it harder on higher RPMs and high speed.

But for Mazda, it is a question mark.

Alto conversion is straight forward ....as you said....but is definitely difficult on this Mazda RX-7.....

Any updates on availability.....?

[spitfire]

Ive installed EPS into Altos and Cuores - Cuore is a pain in the behind (whole rack replaced and the wiring is a cluster)

Installing EPS in Alto is basically a bolt on job, remove original column and combination switch, install EPS column, run wires from a relay to energize the steering controller, the speed, rpm and warning light and ground wires are very easily traceable as the gauge cluster is right on top of it.

I think EPS comes in Japanese Alto .....that is why it is a straight bolt on job with an addition of wiring of course...
Actually , Its a sensitive "department" of the car...."STEERING".....what ever is done should be very authentic and SAFE....
That is why I am reluctant to do some experimentation on the steering system and trying to get hold of some original /compatible stuff....
as far as EPS is concerned......I don't want to do anything with the existing steering column .....But some other (same/alike) which should be available I think....
Another problem ........the steering box and column is "ONE PIECE" on these first generation (FB) RX-7 cars.....
Hmmmmm......don't know what to do.....:(....

[Xulfiqar]

yes - the EPS in the above cars were original parts. But in your case I would never do such a thing. firstly its downright wrong, secondly your car is absolutely beautiful. You are correct that the steering column and gearbox are one item - so if you add something then it means cutting off the steering shaft (bad idea)

secondly - you have a worm roller steering gearbox which inherently has a dead centre with slight freeplay which the EPS wont allow as the yaw sensor would pick up movement and the motor would apply torque (incredibly unsafe)

The only way for you to get power steering is an original steering gearbox from a RHD 1985 GSL RX7. Look in some australian forums or ebay etc, payment wont be a problem.

[spitfire]

yes - the EPS in the above cars were original parts. But in your case I would never do such a thing. firstly its downright wrong, secondly your car is absolutely beautiful. You are correct that the steering column and gearbox are one item - so if you add something then it means cutting off the steering shaft (bad idea)

secondly - you have a worm roller steering gearbox which inherently has a dead centre with slight freeplay which the EPS wont allow as the yaw sensor would pick up movement and the motor would apply torque (incredibly unsafe)

The only way for you to get power steering is an original steering gearbox from a RHD 1985 GSL RX7. Look in some australian forums or ebay etc, payment wont be a problem.

Your point is VERY MUCH VALID that EPS wont allow that small play which is always there in these type of steering systems.....(recirculating ball type)...no matter how good the box is.....So like this....EPS is out of question as far as this project is concerned....

[spitfire]

@afarooqi....
Any update Adeel bhai???

[afarooqi]

@spitfire
Today is final answer day. Lets see.

[spitfire]

@spitfire
Today is final answer day. Lets see.

Lets hope for the best....brother...

[ian65]

Hi Guys,
the above thread on Ausrotary regarding the 1st gen RX7 power steering set up is mine....although I'm in the UK..... I bought this setup about 6 weeks ago.
These were only available in RHD for the Japanese domestic market, no other market had PAS in RHD for the 1st gen RX7..... plenty of cars in the US had PAS but these were all LHD and you can't adapt the steering box.

The only way to put PAS onto an RX7fb is to find one of these mega rare RHD power assisted steering boxes or to get a front subframe and steering rack form a 2nd gen (FC) RX7..... using a FC setup will also get you rack and pinion steering which is miles better that the vague steering you get with a steering box....
here's a fb with the subframe / rack swap....

Mazda RX7 Forum - 1st Generation RX7's • View topic - FB slowly turning into an FC

Good luck with your conversion Spitfire!

cheers,
Ian

[spitfire]

Hi Guys,
the above thread on Ausrotary regarding the 1st gen RX7 power steering set up is mine....although I'm in the UK..... I bought this setup about 6 weeks ago.
These were only available in RHD for the Japanese domestic market, no other market had PAS in RHD for the 1st gen RX7..... plenty of cars in the US had PAS but these were all LHD and you can't adapt the steering box.

The only way to put PAS onto an RX7fb is to find one of these mega rare RHD power assisted steering boxes or to get a front subframe and steering rack form a 2nd gen (FC) RX7..... using a FC setup will also get you rack and pinion steering which is miles better that the vague steering you get with a steering box....
here's a fb with the subframe / rack swap....

Mazda RX7 Forum - 1st Generation RX7's • View topic - FB slowly turning into an FC

Good luck with your conversion Spitfire!

cheers,
Ian

Thanks dear for your interesting post and link to your restoration/modification of RX7......very nice example of FB you got there...
Your suggestion to swap the cross member of FC along with power steering which is Rack and pinion is very tempting....
But the problem at our end is that FC is even more rare than than FB....most of the FB found are extremely altered and gone.....very few are in "presentable" condition...
So finding and swapping the power steering system of an FC is even more difficult....
Any ways thanks for your input ......
Regards.

[spitfire]

I think ......its a difficult/almost impossible job.....