Question about depowering the power steering rack on a NA Miata: Did you weld the pinion shaft to get rid of the play between the splines, or just leave the valves/torsion pieces in place? Like the idea precise steering but a little concerned about welding something like the pinion.

If want a better description of what I'm talking about see:
http://www.motoiq.com/MagazineArticles/ID/1709/PageID/2463/Project-Miatabusa-Part-5--De-Powering-the-Steering-Rack.aspx

i remember looking at this for my old jetta (because manual steering seemed like a cool idea when i didn't need to parallel park). Problem is if you're welding any of these parts you'll affect the heat treatment, inevitably weakening the material. Although the chances of failure would likely be low, failure would happen when the part is most stressed (either dead-steering in a parking lot or fully loaded up in a corned). One of the two of those places could be pretty catastrophic.

Being an NA, are there manual racks available?

the 2 cars that I depowered was quite simple. All I did was cut the power steering rubber hose and loop it and clamped it off. worked perfect.

_________________
GT1 - 88 Camaro 1LE/Nissan 200SX
GT2 - 90 CRX/Nissan 200SX
GT3 - 88 CRX/1975 Civic/1997 Acura Integra
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ITE - 88 Camaro 1LE
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Unlimited - All of the above!

I'm with Bruce on this one. Simple and effective. I have heard with the fluid still in the rack it will be forced to the opposite side when the steering wheel is turned and aid in steering ease. But with those big football arms McKay you won't need any assistance. The green streak works perfect. Steers easy with good feedback. I'm sure that mine is one of the two Bruce is talking about.

Ok, good. Appreciate the input.

We did the Flyin Miata depower https://www.flyinmiata.com/tech/depower.php?x=11 which removes the inner seal. Have it all back together and ready to go in but then saw the bit about welding the pinion and wondered if that was worth the trouble. If Mr. Bent can get it around the track that way then I'll probably be able to manage it.