14 replies to this topic

[mazdaspd]

I was able to snag a set of steering rack plugs that contains 6 of the plugs to fully plug up the steering rack for a good price. 

 

My question is am I able to take off all the lines attached to the steering rack safely without gutting the internal seals and welding the rack internals like some people do. Do the 2 lines that run parallel to the rack serve any purpose when depowered, such as to move air/what ever fluid is left back and forth inside the rack?

 

I know the standard method is to depower via just plugging the inlet and outlets from the ps pump, just wanted to confirm that plugging everything wouldnt damage anything or perform differently.

 

 

[Johnny D]

No, IMO.
https://www.flyinmia...ech/depower.php

plugs. (Dave's book is good to get too)
http://www.advanced-...&products_id=71

J~

[ChrisA]

Do the 2 lines that run parallel to the rack serve any purpose when depowered, such as to move air/what ever fluid is left back and forth inside the rack?

 

 

Yes, if you remove the parallel lines and plug the rack, you will create hydro-lock to some degree. Air acts like a fluid, albeit a compressible one.

[B(Kuch)Kucera45]

I have a power steering rack in my car and all I did was take a hose and looped the two lines together. I left the fluid in the rack and have had it this way for 6 years and have never had a problem. The loop allows the fluid to flow back and forth without any hydro issues.Total cost $5.00 !

[Tom Hampton]

or the wheeler method:

 

1. drain as much fluid from the system as will come out.

2. remove pump and all plumbing.

3. place large pan under steering rack to catch fluid. 

4. with car on jack stands, turn steering wheel lock to lock several times.

5. repeat until fluid mo longer comes out holes.

6. install wheelers plugs on rack.

 

done.  mine has been this way for r years.

[davew]

Looping the lines works great. I just thought it looked ugly. So I came up with my plug system. It is simple, elegant, cheap and easy.

 

I have done the complete rework on the rack. In my opinion it was not worth the effort.

 

dave

[Chris D.]

I have a power steering rack in my car and all I did was take a hose and looped the two lines together. I left the fluid in the rack and have had it this way for 6 years and have never had a problem. The loop allows the fluid to flow back and forth without any hydro issues.Total cost $5.00 !

+1 on this method.

[LarryKing]

The Walter Vetter method: toss the power rack and get a junkyard manual rack. ☺

[Steve Scheifler]

The Walter Vetter method: toss the power rack and get a junkyard manual rack. ☺

Many people prefer the quicker steering of the power version.

[Ron Alan]

I used the 6 plug version in my 99....clean and no problems so far!

[DrDomm]

Wow, I thought the FlyinMiata way was the only way.  Glad someone else asked...one less complicated project in my complete home build (minus roll cage and motor) for 2016.

[BlueJay73]

Yes, if you remove the parallel lines and plug the rack, you will create hydro-lock to some degree. Air acts like a fluid, albeit a compressible one.

Just finished my '99 build. I'm a rookie. So, I have far less experience/knowledge then you guys, but I bought the set of plugs, got all the oil out that I could, plugged everything up, and got hydrolock so bad it was like the steering wheel had a mechanical lock on it. (Ignition lock had been disabled.) Took plugs off, no lock. Put plugs back in, locked. I then drilled a tiny hole in the front plug on the main bar that goes across the front, and the steering wheel turns very easily now. You can hear air jet from that hole when the wheels are turned quickly lock to lock. Don't know if I did right or wrong, but got the desired result.

[davew]

With my 2 plug system:

 

Remove pump and lines

Turn s/w quickly lock to lock, preferably with car on stands

clean mess

install 2 plugs

fergit 'bout it

 

dave

[Johnny D]

https://www.youtube....h?v=J5Xu9UcOdj0

J~

[trimless]

Many people prefer the quicker steering of the power version.

I guess I am not most people. I prefer the feel of the manual rack in my 1.6. Primarily the reason it that the manual rack seems to offer better feedback, or it may just be my fast hands need the manual rack to help slow them down.