depowering na8 steering rack? what am I missing??!!!!
 

Hey there guys I'm new here. Have been cruising this site for a long time but finally gave in. I'm pulling the motor right now in my 97 na. And I decided to go depower and started getting into it and noticed it's not like the na6. There is no stop ring on the pass Side of the rack.and I've looked it over and over and just can't quite figure out how to pull the crossover gear out? Press needed? Any ideas would be great thanks guy.

Safe drives

Cross over gear?

Flyin Miata has a write up and MotoIQ has one too. One of them mentions that the rack design changed slightly at some point and some of the parts are different. They mention how to work around it though.

Or hit the Easy Button: Power Steering Plugs [001-AA-PS] - $17.50 : Advanced Autosports, Miata Race Parts, Spec Miata and TRANS AM Race Car Sales, Service, Build & Rentals Support in Midwest

I have done the previous years rack depower before and also have read those write ups. Still don't have a solid answer on what exactly needs to be done

Sorry... the steering rack shaft itself

Thanks for the direct.but I welded the oe fittings closed so I didn't have to spend money but good looking out I appreciate your effort.thanks

I used this method

https://www.flyinmiata.com/tech/depower.php

This rack I have is different. I have done that method with that style rack in the past. And there is no stop ring at the end of the rack on pass Side on my rack
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...180064c1b3.jpg

It's a 17 mm under the big cap. Then tap the gear and shaft out.

If you see in the pic it does not have that design. I have disassembled it and there is a pinion housing deal that's married to the rack housing with alans. I've pulled the plug that it has to reveal the spring ect. The shaft just bounces off a bump stop deal no matter left or right. I have attempted to slightly hammer both end to feel for give but I didn't take it to far from fear of ruining

I made a video of the process in which I depowered my rack and welded the pinion. Hope it helps you a bit.

If you look at my picture. My rack is different from that style. I've done that rack in the past. !!

Are you sure that's a Mazda rack? Looks like an aftermarket replacement.

Lol yes sir I took it off my 97 miata

Looks like mine too. I seem to remember using a dead blow to hit it out.

Cool ima give that a shot tonight and see what I can come up with.

Thinking back now, I think a lead or brass hammer works better.

Do you recall witch way it is removed? Driver or pass side? If I can remember going out the driver side it's elastic feeling (bouncy-squishy) like a rubber bushing. And trying to push it (remove it) out of the pass Side it hits a metal bump stop deal

I do not recall.