Apparently power steering was standard from design of the MX-5, and the non-assisted type was only developed because of an anticipated demand (which was overestimated) from the US market. I have only driven '5s with PS so I'm not placed to comment on the pros and cons of the non-assisted type, but I've never had any complaints with the PS on my car. There's plenty of feel - certainly loads more feel than from any other PS-equipped car I've driven. And it feels wonderfully balanced when zipping through a nice long fast curve. Did the early UK '5s have PS as standard? (2/00)

No, although it was a factory fit option I think. My 1996 MK1 1.6i certainly did not have power steering. It also had stock 14" alloys; despite the lack of assistance my wife found it dead easy to park and manoeuvre.

I must admit, I prefer the steering on the MK2 - it feels faster and more responsive than the non assisted rack. And, yes, I agree, there is loads of feedback through the wheel. Not driven a MK1 with PAS so I can't comment on that, I'm afraid. (2/00)

Did the early UK '5s have PS as standard?

Yep, and leccy windows.

No, although it was a factory fit option I think. My 1996 MK1 1.6i certainly did not have power steering.

Ah, but I meant the *really* early cars, as in the first ones into the country. Just answered my own question - checked on Mike Hayward's specifications pages (http://freespace.virgin.net/mx5.mike/specs.html) - seems power steering was standard on the 1.6 (and all specials) right through until the 1.8 was introduced, at which point it was deleted and became standard on only the 1.8iS.

Has *anyone* out there got a Mk1 114bhp 1.6 (pre May '94) without power steering? (2/00)

Power steering WAS standard on early Mk 1. By '96, you had to pay extra for goodies like that. (2/00)
But then they introduced it as standard on the 1.8i (as well as the 1.8is) about 6 months before the MKII was introduced (I have a Feb 1998 1.8 with power steering). (2/00)
Is it the 'Classic 1.8i' special (all were black apparently) as listed on Mike's spec pages, or a regular 1.8? Mazda may have stopped producing any cars with non-assisted steering on the production line, hence Mazda UK's generosity in making power steering standard may have actually been forced on them! (2/00)

No, its a regular 1.8. I needed power steering (had an op. on my shoulder & the non-power steering version was too heavy). After a fair amount of reserch the options were: -
original 1.6 (by "original", I mean before they introduced the 1.8 and lower spec 1.6)
- 1.8is, of which there aren't many around and they were more costly
- special edition (again, more costly - although I almost bought a California - kind of regret not doing)
- late MKI 1.8i

I did try a 1.8i without PS and was surprised at just how heavy it felt for the size of car. I could have got a "Classic" special edition, but it was £3000 more (ouch) - beautiful car though - black with wood trim. (2/00)
I dont have PAS on my '96, dont find any problems with the steering although 2 years back when I moved from a Rover 820 it was a bit of a shock to have "heavy steering". Its the usual case of steering is easy so long as car is rolling, and seeing as the steering should not be turned while stationary anyway there is no problem. (2/00)
When my car idles and I turn the steering wheel the revs drop..is this normal? (4/00)
My Rovers both used to do this as well, probably as the power steering pump takes some power from the engine as the wheels turn. I always thought that it was not good for the tires or steering to turn the wheels when stationary anyway. Don't have the problem now as I don't have power steering :) (4/00)

Is this normal?

No. There is a pressure sensor on the power steering pump which tells the ECU to raise the idle when high pressure is present. Probably the base idle setting on your 5 is set too low. That means the idle speed control valve is open nearly all the time to maintain a proper idle, and thus the ECU has no way to compensate. Check the base idle setting. (4/00)
It could also be that the ECU is not being told about the power steering being used. The ECU is told about many electrical things so it can keep the idle up when the engine is loaded. You will need t o run the ECU diagnostics to find out if this is the case. My idle speed goes up (just a tad) when I use the power steering at idle. (4/00)
Anyone with problems like these which involve sensors possibly not working should get John Cookson's diagnostic manual from Donutz. That's all the advertising I'll give John today. (4/00)
I'm not sure it discusses testing this sensor. If I could find it I'd check! (4/00)

Actually, I don't think there is a sensor on the PS. Some Mazdas (the 626 GT of 87-92 for example) did have an "idle-up" facility which increased idle speed when you put pressure on the steering pump and hence the engine.

I think the MX-5 just does it through the idle speed control - ie the ECU senses the drop in revs caused by the extra load from the pump, and corrects the idle speed through the ISC valve. At least on early cars. And I might be wrong.

Of course, the ISC system must be spot on for this to work. Idle speed droop can be corrected by resetting base idle in 99% of cases. It does need resetting from time to time, and it's easy to ignore because the ECU/ISC control masks any misadjustment most of the time. (4/00)

And I might be wrong.

You are. Check out the wire attached to the top of the power steering pump.

If the idle speed requires frequent readjustment, it is a good indicator that something is not in top condition. (4/00)
There is a PS sensor .. Terminal 1P ... open when turning .. closed when stationary ... so it knows and increases the fueling... hence the rpm rises .. otherwise it would stay the same. (4/00)

Instructions for adjusting PAS / AC drive belt - based on banging my thumb last night.

NB don't turn the adjuster until you have loosened the pivot bolt and lock bolts.

1. By lossening two jublie type clips, remove the bit of black pipe that goes from the air filter past the front of the engine. It doesn't take long and makes the rest easier.
2. looking at the front of the engine, from the front, the belt runs horizontly from the crank pully, right to a pully and then up to pully and back diagonaly to the crank. First you need to lossen the main pivot bolt, which you can see by looking through the slots on the top pully. You need to loosen this - either by spending ages trying to get a tool in past the slot to undo the nut, or alternatively, find the blot head at the back which is much easier to get at :-). It is 14mm btw
3. Just above the top pully you'll see the adjuster. There are two lock bolts to loosen here (can't remember if they are 14 or 12).
4. With those three bolts loosened, you can now wind up the adjuster (clockwise) to tighten the belt or as you gone this far, why not loosen it and whip on a new belt :-)

You can get the belt on-line from http://www.mx5-parts.co.uk or go to an autofactors and ask for a 4PK0955 (If you have PAS & AC) NB Halfords will try and sell you a 4PK0850, which is fine if you have PAS but not PAS & AC, and the one in Bracknell doesn't stock a 4PK0955. Personlly mate, if you read this and look in the engine bay and it doesn't make sense, then buy the Rod Granger's book. The pictures make it a lot clearer :-) (9/01)