Gunpilot

Went out for the first test drive. Steering started to slip (forgot to put in steering knucle bolt). I now have to get the steering shaft pushed back into the knucle. Any tricks on this? I tried for about an hour and could not get parts to fully seat. Running through the header it gets very tight.

Al English

I believe you mean steering u-joint rather than steering knuckle?

There is a recess in the shaft for the pinchbolt. That arrangement prevents the shaft from separating if the bolt loosens. So, the bolt must be removed to slide the u-joint coupling over the shaft, then the bolt is installed.

Also, the shaft telescopes. If it has been compressed you will need to extend it as needed to properly mate the coupling to the shaft.

Gunpilot

yes- it is the u-joint. I was working too fast and forgot to put in the bolt. The steering shaft has completely disengaged from the joint. the bolt is out, and I tried to re engage the shaft, but it will not go all the way in. I was trying to figure out if there are other bolts to loosen so I can get full engagement and re insert the bolt. I have the flat spot aligned with the bolt hole, but dont seem to have enough "throw" to engage the 2 pieces.

Al English

It sounds like you need to extent the telescoping shaft longer. Tapping on the coupling will do that.

Considering what happened I suggest you confirm the splines are in good/safe condition.

tbone heller

Be sure that it is aligned & SLOWLY push the u-joint on the shaft with a blunt drift on an air hammer.

MRM331

The car looks awesome btw.

Are you keeping AC on it? I noticed the compressor. If not you may want to run a standard direction WP and a short belt as opposed to a dummy pulley.

-Jason

Gunpilot

Found the issue. Apperently a 92 steering shaft is different than a 94 steering shaft. The 92 has a master spline where it mates to u-joint. The engine was mounted to a 94 K member with a 94 power steering rack. My car is a 92. I swapped a 92 u-joint over and shaft mated up perfectly.

Jason, I will be doing AC because I would like to take it to work sometimes. Ill be using the hoses I bought from you.

Took it on a short drive and this thing is more than I expected. Shoots off like a rocketship. Need to find rim/tire combo to slide in under the flares.

charchri4

What is your plan for wheels and tires with the flairs?

Gunpilot

Looking around for some decent 15x9's with zero - 20 offset. I will start out trying to squeeze on a 245, but will work down until I get a good fit. From research, 225s seem to fit perfect, but ill try for larger.

charchri4

Thanks! I'm wondering what the advantage is to running 0 to - offset with flairs over just running what you have or 15x9 with a +20 or so. What are you thoughts on that?

Awesome build by the way!!!

Gunpilot

When it comes to that I have found it is mostly about style. Do you want a massive deep dish look, or something mild? I have spacers on now to push my 205's out a bit, but I will most likely loose them when the time comes.

I have been lurking around on club roadster and they have a pretty good fitment thread and flare thread. Many different options. I want the tires to look good and be functional on the track. I will post pictures once I figure it out. Probably goning to be a few months as rims this size get expensive.

charchri4

Thanks I appreciate your thoughts especially since you have an exceptionally cool car!

What I have found is the guys on turbo Miata think flairs are total rice and the guys on club roadster think flairs are more important than the steering wheel. I'm stuck because I love the clean aggressive look of a 25 or 20 offset filling up the wells keeping it simple but when I see cars like yours that are maxed out I think wow that's cool and tend to drift that direction. Well one of these days I'll pick!

Gunpilot

Picking the right flare is important. It took me over a month of research to pick. I ended up with the Autkonexion V1 flare because it looked the most natural on the car and was actually useable. Not just for looks. It is a very good product and price right. Now the fastback was NOT priced right, but I had to have it.

ToySnakePMC

G-Pilot's flares and fastback conversion are just bad @ss. I found this steering shaft issue interesting as I am planning to swap out my steering rack for another one that I bought 10 yrs ago off on unknown year Miata. Now my brain won't hurt so much if my 94 shaft ends up not fiting the u joint... Glad you posted this. Excited to see your upcoming wheel/tire selection too.