9 replies to this topic

[Steve-O]

I've had a bit of a frustrating day and hoping for some assistance.

I purchased an inner tie rod end for my 1995 from Bap Geon. After removal of the old part, I opened the plastic on the replacement and immediately noticed coarse threads. BG was closed today so I went to NAPA and purchased another noting that this part had fine threads. I went to install the new part and was unable to get it to screw into the steering rack. I measured the new part and found it to be slightly larger than the original. I called NAPA and they confirmed the part number I had purchased was correct in their system for a 1995 with power steering.

Anyone got any ideas what's going on here?

[Kevin Anderson]

power steering and manual rack have different inner Tie rod ends. whatever they gave you just get the other.

[Steve-O]

I have two now- both of them are wrong?

[Funracer]

Dumb question but you know one of them turns counterclockwise to
tighten right? Not trying to be a SA just covering the easy stuff.
Thats about all I am good for.

[Steve-O]

According to NAPA both sides are the same- rt hand. But to be sure, I went and verified that the one I have is Rt Hand. I suppose it's possible that the part I received is in the wrong package but to find out of I'll have to drive back to NAPA and it's 30 minutes.

[davew]

Sounds like you have a 99 steering rack. They use a different thread from NA power or Manual. For the record, 99 manual is the same as NA manual

Dave.

[Scottie]

Dumb question but you know one of them turns counterclockwise to
tighten right? Not trying to be a SA just covering the easy stuff.
Thats about all I am good for.

Wheww. Good thing you threw that out there. Because I for sure didn't know that. Seriously, thanks!

[Brandon]

Speaking from experience (just did my passenger side of a power rack), there are entirely too many part numbers just for the NA.
Between power and manual there's a further breakdown between years so you could still be in a jam.

Oh, and the passenger side inner rod of a power rack is right-handed threads.

Best option: properly identify the rack type you have (power vs. manual) and then you can go from there.
One clear indicator (before further disassembly) of the type of rack is the "washer" (Mazda's term) that's used to positively prevent the rod from loosening under use.

The power racks have a flat washer with a pair of tabs that get inserted into the rack itself and you tighten the inner rod down onto the washer (between the rod & rack) and then bend the edges of the washer onto the inner rod (x4).

The manual rack uses a different washer that is completely incompatible with the power rack.
Don't ask me how I know.

Signed,
"$4.38 lighter"

[Steve-O]

Speaking from experience (just did my passenger side of a power rack), there are entirely too many part numbers just for the NA.
Between power and manual there's a further breakdown between years so you could still be in a jam.

Oh, and the passenger side inner rod of a power rack is right-handed threads.

Best option: properly identify the rack type you have (power vs. manual) and then you can go from there.
One clear indicator (before further disassembly) of the type of rack is the "washer" (Mazda's term) that's used to positively prevent the rod from loosening under use.

The power racks have a flat washer with a pair of tabs that get inserted into the rack itself and you tighten the inner rod down onto the washer (between the rod & rack) and then bend the edges of the washer onto the inner rod (x4).

The manual rack uses a different washer that is completely incompatible with the power rack.
Don't ask me how I know.

Signed,
"$4.38 lighter"

Brandon- can you provide the part number and supplier of the end you just installed? 95 & 96 are the same. Right?


Well my saga continues. I thought that perhaps Dave was onto something but it turns out that the 99 end was too small so now I'm back to beginning the process over. I'm picking up another (95) end from B-Geon tomorrow in the hopes that the one I get from NAPA was just mis-packaged. BTW- I have a power rack with the tab washer.

Hopefully this will all be behind me soon. I really don't mind the wrentching and mystery part, just hate having to wait on parts that never seem to be stocked locally.

[Brandon]

Not to pass the buck but do you have a Mazda Speed Motorsports (MSM) sign-on? That's where I found my part numbers to order from them and/or the dealer.

I didn't order the TR but managed to find a 94-97 PS chassis in the junkyard and pulled both from it so there was no question I was working with a known quantity on my end.

Reviewing the diagrams from MSM (Mazda parts catalog scans) shows the same part number across the board regardless of year and powered or not: 32-240A

The differentiation between power vs. manual is that clip or "washer" as they call it.
Manual == 32-146B
Power == 32-132A

Aside from the washer-type the other outward identifier of rack style is whether there are fluid input/output ports on the top of the rack.
Some folks de-power the rack by cutting the hoses & plugging while others will run a hose between the ports.

Regardless, if you have the ports it's a powered rack. No ports == manual.

Check the pictures for the visuals!

1995 power rack diagram: http://i899.photobuc...rackdiagram.gif
1995 manual rack diagram: http://i899.photobuc...rackdiagram.gif

Edited by Brandon, 02-26-2012 05:16 PM.