WTB: 96-97 manual rack
 

Removed AC yesterday, stripped the PS tension bolt horribly. Would rather just getting rid of all the PS crap anyway.

Got a rack sitting around? I want it. ASAP. Driving belt-less is annoying and before anyone asks, I refuse to loop lines or depower in any way, shape, or form.

Reman'd racks on ebay are like $300...might have to suck that one up and get the 94 R-package tie rod ends while I'm at it.

If you pull the rack and depower the correct way, it is much much better.

I have a manual rack in my 92 and my 90 is depowered p/s rack.

I depowered mine the non FM way with miataroadster plugs. Very easy, works fine. Just make sure you don't don't trap air in the system when you put in the plugs.

miataroadster is sold out of plugs and has been for months now. Last time, they said they were getting some July. Now they say September...

I understand that depowering the FM way is better than a manual rack, but I still would just rather have the manual rack...

Why? The ratio is far better in a depowered rack and the amount of labor is going to be about the same as swapping the two racks out. I didn't even do the FM way, I just used the MiataRoadster plugs and left it like that. Still way better than power steering.

Not to mention the money you would be saving could go to your turbo fund. Just my thoughts.

true, it's just I don't have a workbench or a vice...I do all car-work at my parents house and so the FM depower is just not gonna happen. I can call the local performance shop and email them the FM depower steps and see if they can do it for me. I'll do that Monday, but if they don't do it, I'm swapping racks.

If someone has the miataroadster plugs for sale, I'll consider those too.

Just get the Advanced Autosport plugs, or take your fittings to a muffler shop and have them plugged there.

^ thanks, I am watching a rack on ebay right now. I just want to do the swap and get R-package tie rod ends and be done with it. Driving without a belt isn't bad at all except 3pt-turns are a bitch, so real manual steering will be fine.