Rounded off the Steering Rack Pinion Preload Bolt!
 

So I ended up rounding off the bolt shown in the pic after attempting to remove it so I could remove the pinion from the rack. Ended up getting it out using a bolt extractor but it's buggered up pretty good now. Anyway, I'd like to replace it so does anyone know the part # to search for? Or does anyone have one that isn't fubar that they want to sell?

Note to self... don't get frustrated and use an impact wrench on this bolt ever again.

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...d99f1b1c06.png

Another shot of the bolt I rounded off for reference.

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...0a48a2ad2a.png

as someone who's doing this same thing right now, i feel for you...

i don't know if mazda sells it separate... might need to find a junk yard...

Managed to find someone who had a messed up rack that was able to spare the tensioner bolt so I can get mine back together. Just waiting on the post office to bring it. Then I can button things up.

Amusingly enough... this is one of the things i loctite now that my car has AWR mounts and delrin diff bushings.

Because it has vibrated loose.

You did loosen the locknut first, right?

That's good to know that you use locktite. I'm upgrading to poly & derlin everywhere on the car while I'm messing around with it. I'll stick some locktite in there to avoid issues when re-assembling it.

Yep. Just that there was so much rust on it that it didn't matter. I should have used heat and let it sit w/ penetrating oil for longer but I got impatient and went for the rattle gun. Shame on me I guess.

Use the "hold in place" not the "this is never coming off again" stuff. ;)

lol. Makes sense. I reserve locktite red for special occasions :-)

what torque do you guys use on that bolt?

The bolt itself i snug until the rack feels right. I'm sure there's an actual spec for it somewhere but meh.

The locknut i torque to allofitftlbs.

I'm only replying as I'm currently looking for that exact part, for that exact reason, because I did the exact same thing....

NA02-32-129 is the nut
NA02-32-131 is the lock nut

I can't seem to find them anywhere, Mazda Canada (I'm in canada) has discontinued it. Jim Ellis mazda has it but doesn't ship to Canada it seems.

Ran into the same thing. Someone was kind enough to sell me just that part from a messed up steering rack they had which was a big win.

On that note....

Anyone have a bad rack collecting dust they don't mind scavenging?

Are those parts only on powered racks, or is it the same for manual racks as well? I may have one, have to look after work.

I believe they are the same,
But manual racks are fetching a premium right now.