Gents,

I did a quick internet search and found some conflicting (and useless) info. I know that the left and right tie rods are different on my '99 power steering rack. Does it make any difference if the rack has been depowered?

Thanks,

 

No.

 

Thank you, Sir.

 

what?

NB rack tie rods are the same left to right... at least I put the same tie rods on the left and right of mine with zero issues. Beck Arnley's...

 

Not for power steering. A quick Rock Auto search will show you different part numbers for left vs. right. The right side a hole in the end of the rod that screws into the rack, and a cavity that goes to a corner of the ball boss. I suspect it is there to open that side of the rack to the atmosphere. I wasn't sure if it made a difference once the rack is depowered, hence my query.

I saw all kinds of answers when I did an internet search, including someone that stated the thread pitch was different on the two sides...

 

im running the same tie rod left and right on a de-powered NB rack...

The NON powered racks are different I know that, but the NB racks both sides are the same as far as I know.

I dont know about NA racks at all.

 

Goodness gracious...
The INNER tie rods on the NB power racks are different.
The OUTER tie rods (tie rod ends) on the NB power racks are the same.

 

Im 1000% running the SAME inner tie rods on my de-powered NB rack... zero issues.

NOW I am not ruling out that Beck Arnely has changed the design slightly to allow for this.

Beck Arnley 101-5186

​​​​​​https://www.drivparts.com/part-detai...ie%20Rod%20End

I do see that Rock Auto has a bunch of manufacturers that differential left to right and the Jim Ellis Mazda parts site shows 32240 and 32240Z...

So my only "guess" is that Beck Arnley has slightly re-designed the part to work on either side as I am running them and they are even side to side and I have zero issues.

 

NB power ITRs have different part numbers but are functionally the same. The ones we will have in stock soon are not handed. The pax side have a small machined hole on the housing, possibly used to index the rack during assembly but it has no function otherwise.
OK to use two "lefts" or two "rights" on one car.