Steering Rack/Tie Rod Lock Washer
#1
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Steering Rack/Tie Rod Lock Washer
I'm hoping I just missed the memo somewhere, but it appears to me after some google searches and making a few calls that Mazda has discontinued and sold out of the inner tie rod lock washers for PS racks that are needed to secure tie rods to the steering rack. The part # is NA02-32-126. I even went as far as trying to obtain a Subaru equivalent lock washer but they are also out of stock nationally...
Given that tie rod replacements and rack swaps are not uncommon, is there an alternate source/solution anyone is using to secure tie rods to the rack? Red Loctite?
I'd love to find some stock of those washers for peace of mind after I swap my steering rack, but after a week of searching, they just don't seem to exist outside of buying aftermarket tie rods that come with the washers. Any ideas?
Given that tie rod replacements and rack swaps are not uncommon, is there an alternate source/solution anyone is using to secure tie rods to the rack? Red Loctite?
I'd love to find some stock of those washers for peace of mind after I swap my steering rack, but after a week of searching, they just don't seem to exist outside of buying aftermarket tie rods that come with the washers. Any ideas?
#2
If your current rack has them then re-use them. I have many times in the past. Rebuilt racks used to come with both new TRE lock washers and new seals for the lines.
Now-days they don't come with anything.
If yours are un-usable I would add a normal washer (may be hard to find normal washers of that diameter and be the same thickness as the real part) and BLUE loctite.
I would not use red on that unless I never wanted it to come apart again...
I'd clean the crap out of the threads before using LT.
There are lots of this style washer used by everyone. Most are very similar in diameter and function.
I bet Honda, Toyota, Kia/Hyundia and many others would work. Only thing is it might take more than one purchase to find something close enough.
If I had an old rack, I'd just give you a pair. Others might do the same.
If you're careful bending the folded edge back to flat, they can be re-used multiple times
Now-days they don't come with anything.
If yours are un-usable I would add a normal washer (may be hard to find normal washers of that diameter and be the same thickness as the real part) and BLUE loctite.
I would not use red on that unless I never wanted it to come apart again...
I'd clean the crap out of the threads before using LT.
There are lots of this style washer used by everyone. Most are very similar in diameter and function.
I bet Honda, Toyota, Kia/Hyundia and many others would work. Only thing is it might take more than one purchase to find something close enough.
If I had an old rack, I'd just give you a pair. Others might do the same.
If you're careful bending the folded edge back to flat, they can be re-used multiple times
Last edited by technicalninja; 08-24-2022 at 08:29 PM. Reason: Added info, fixed grammer
#3
They appear to be available from some online vendors such as https://www.mazdacarpartsonline.com/...NA0232126.html
#4
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They appear to be available from some online vendors such as https://www.mazdacarpartsonline.com/...NA0232126.html
#6
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The CNC is ideal and pretty easy if you have access (I don’t) but now that you’ve mentioned it, it wouldn’t be difficult to use a dremel to slot and bend an appropriate sized washer as a replacement.
I’ll take some measurements and see if the local hardware store has something.
I’ll take some measurements and see if the local hardware store has something.
#7
There are companies (wiki factory for example) that will take your to scale model in step, stp, and other formats, provide a free quote. If you accept the quote they make the part(s) and ship them out. There may be some people in this community that would be willing to cmc some for you as well. I have never personally done this but I have seen build threads where they used this kind of service with great results. Local machine shop might be another option.
all this for a washer
all this for a washer
Last edited by Houleo; 08-26-2022 at 11:17 PM.
#8
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I got pretty caught up in other things, but I finally revisited this and got it wrapped up.
It would have been optimal to use something precision measured or custom, but I opted to just use this BMW lock washer (32111136526), then use a Dremel to shave it down a little and add an extra tab.
It's a tiny bit larger than the OEM one, but it looks like it'll do the job fine with some blue Loctite after I installed it. The OEM washer appears to have a 5/8in ID in case anyone else runs into this issue.
It would have been optimal to use something precision measured or custom, but I opted to just use this BMW lock washer (32111136526), then use a Dremel to shave it down a little and add an extra tab.
It's a tiny bit larger than the OEM one, but it looks like it'll do the job fine with some blue Loctite after I installed it. The OEM washer appears to have a 5/8in ID in case anyone else runs into this issue.
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