MX5 / MIATA DE -POWER STEERING, QUICK RATIO PAS CONVERTED TO MANUAL

Urchfab T shirts & Hoodies: urchfab.com/mec...
Support the channel: / urchfab
Instagram: / matt_urchfab
Website: urchfab.com/
Facebook: / urchfab
The Mongrel Part 30
Today I'm converting my power steering rack back to a manual rack, also known as depowered steering.
My camera gear:
Camera. amzn.to/2DbvxdD
Mic. amzn.to/2DbyKd0
Tripod. amzn.to/2DxaEud
My names Matt Urch and I own and run Urchfab welding and fabrication.
I specialise in custom automotive fabrication from building roll cages to complete one off builds.
I built the worlds most unique and oldest drift car known as the drift rod which can be found on my channel.
So if your into grinding, welding, fabricating, drifting, going fast etc, your in the right place!

[@NissanNut74]

I remember watching this 5 years ago. Came in handy recently installing a miata rack in my 1970 Datsun truck. I watched a few videos on this subject but this was the best! I still had some issues getting the rack apart. Thanks for the videos! I had no idea at the time of watching this the first time, that I wonder ever need it.

[@Tshade67]

Nice video Matt. Back in the day, we used to reroute the return back into the pressure side and make sure it was full of fluid on the old gearboxes to convert to manual.

[@ollydubhead]

While the engine is out and on a stand, you might want to look in to doing a coolant re-route... Fairly simple mod worth considering, esp for a track only car, keeps the cylinder temps even, as the rear cylinders get pretty hot with the stock cooling system.

[@Urchfab]

I will look into that, Cheers

[@GeorgeEI7KO]

You make it all look so easy Matt. Lol

[@BraggenritesNetwork]

I never thought one can make a power rack into a manual one. That’s awesome. Thank you

[@HomeBuiltByJeff]

Keep chipping away at it mate. Loving this build.

[@Jonno180556ADI]

I had to smile to myself at the beginning of your vid. A long while ago an old mechanic once joked with me “ All you need boy is a hammer, screwdriver and an adjustable”. 😂😂😂

[@jeremyvarker144]

Thanks for keeping me entertained and getting me back into my workshop :)

[@martinsmith8417]

Excellent, that made it all much simpler, less parasitic power loss from the engine too.

[@ziggassedup]

I've never thought of modding a power rack to a manual rack but it makes sense for the ratio.

[@allofusmoreofus2281]

Very cool. Always wondered how a steering rack went together. Knowing the theory behind steering geometry and seeing the practicalities are very different. Thanks for the insight. Hope you had a good christmas. Cheers Matt.

[@martinultimatevw3779]

Thought my batteries were full in the garage.... 🤣😅 it was at your place 😂 same makita ringtone 🤟

[@billnlori3149]

Very cool work on that rack Matt! I'm gonna have to do the same thing to my Fox body's rack. Thanks a bunch!

[@koont666]

Lovely job Matt , can't believe it's 30 episodes already ,sweet .

[@trevorjarvis3021]

Well, that appeared to work out very well indeed. I thought you were going to experience more rust type problems again! Thanks for giving up time over the holiday period to put this vid out. Looking forward to watching this fantastic build into the New Year, it’s been great so far Matt.

[@bazmully]

yeah thanks had a top crimbo,the wife got me a new welding mask,3m speedglas 9100 xx.i hope you had a top xmas.

[@Urchfab]

I had one of those for years, I think I had the 9000 but there great masks. Cheers

[@davidorpwoodnz]

hi from new zealand happy new year

[@rectrorick]

Nice little video bud, hope you had a good Christmas 🤔 I've been thinking about your t shirts and hoodies bud, I reckon you should do some with LIIKKE AH GGLOVVVE on the back.. 🤗 maybe give them out only to patrons or just sell them to the masses... would put a bit of humour it to em😁 keep up the great work bud, as you would say 'until the next one catch you later bud👍

[@paulhenry4205]

Very good information to have 👍🏻👍🏻thanks.

[@Westsideautomotive]

Keep at it dude. Love the content of this build.

[@sonydroid2253]

Awesome video again. Really enjoying this series

[@bigkev0350]

Merry Christmas Mate, to you and your family.🎅🏻 just so you know it’s 41 degrees c today here in Sydney. Bloody hot mate but your videos are so cool it makes it tolerable. Thank champ.

[@piperdoug428]

Geebus!! you could watch some of my channel nonsense and you'll see -30c while i do chores. cheers to you n yours.

[@rektautomotive3483]

Standard non pas mx5 racks also have a nasty dead spot at centre, good choice on the de powering 👌

[@MalcOfLincoln]

Well done Matt, can't beat KIS eh! Don't know about you but I always enjoyed this part of a build (ok years ago now). Fixing, altering stuff and putting it back together.

[@steveveness3829]

G'day Matt Nice piece of forward motion, towards the end goal😉😊👍👍

[@raylarkin5004]

Happy upcoming new years Matt😊 cheers until the next one. 👍

[@xplorearizona154]

Never knew that could be done.

[@Leofred2000]

I just love when ppl wrench on tie rods without supporting the rack core for that extra play between the rack and pinion or even cracking the rack housing...

[@mattdodds2954]

All the best for 2019. Can't wait for the videos and the... fits like a glove 😆

[@bbrut3332]

Matt have great New Years Eve party and I hope more good parts and equipment will come your way. Yes to some heavy oil or grease for the rack. I think I would have kept the o ring seals on the ends of the rack to keep out dirt and moisture.

[@kittonsmitton]

Great content Matt, Merry Christmas to you your family, friends and fans! Happy New Year all the best for 2019!

[@kramer26]

Love the subtle product placement! Rather that than ads popping up all over the place...

[@FRIDAYNIGHTGARAGENIGHT]

Great work as always.

[@hotdogbri]

Very good Matt..are you going to weld the pinion sir ? always good to see how things are going with your build very cool mate..keep at it..

[@ThisOldJalopy]

Its possible I might do this as well for my Miata+Beetle project

[@liammiller6617]

Merry Christmas to you 2 love the vids, can't wait to see what happens in 2019!!

[@chriscoulthard4947]

One man's work wear is another man's Christmas jumper. Santa got me an Urchfab hoodie. Any plans for some stickers?

[@Urchfab]

Yep, will get some sorted soon mate.

[@rudders6012]

Thanks Matt,another informative video 🤙🏼

[@minbannister3625]

"less to go wrong" well said.

[@squirrelynations3832]

Nice. Should be the same if you did this to a mustang rack.

[@malcolmchadwick4047]

Hi Matt, great work have you had any experience at power steering for a MGB GT. I have got the pump etc just need to find a suitable rack. I am not bothered about mountings I can fabricate them. The club sell a conversion kit but rather expensive. I would of thought the main problem would be making sure the length is similar to the original.

[@1212sman]

Jeez, with the video speeded up, it sounds like the freaking Isle of Man just outside your shop.

[@terencehawkes3933]

So that is what they look like apart. Hmm punching was an excellent idea! Much nicer rack than the monstrosity on the 2cv.

[@pce0513]

Sounds like F1 cars belting past the shop when in sped up scenes.

[@mixalisstathis274]

Don't forget to do a coolant retoure on the block!

[@camdavies5530]

Putting a cortina or escort quickrack in it would be less hassle wouldn't it?

[@nic1586]

great vid maybe a dumb question but is the modified rack much easier to turn than taking the ps belt off cause ive driven one that had the belt break and it was not unbearable but pretty hard to turn

[@Levibetz]

You didn't weld the spool valve! That's kinda the whole point of going to manual steering.

[@Urchfab]

Yes I think I'm gonna have to go back and do that. I thought that was a solid shaft.

[@Levibetz]

@@Urchfab yaaay more steering rack shit. I have an odd obsession with spool valves. I've wondered if you could take apart spool valves and shim the torsion bar so that it has less play to adjust power assist/feel. I just don't understand how a part so fundamentally similar can behave so differently with different designs.

[@davidlawrencebanks4610]

Interesting, however good job is a track car. Seasons greetings to you too

[@michaeldenton8610]

I would have included a zerk fitting so you can pimp it full of grease

[@mauriceeley621]

Hua MATT after whatching your videos i have bought aPlasma cutter . What saftey glasses can you recomend bearing in mind i wear glasses , can i just use my welding mask ?

[@bobsillas3553]

YOU REMIND ME OF LITTLE JOHN BUTTERA HE WAS YOU ON STERIODS

[@watahyahknow]

is that piece of roundbar in the steering rack hardened? if its soft steel it would be a nice piece of cheap stock to make stuff with in a lathe

[@jarrodvw9794]

You should to a coolant reroute while you have the engine out.

[@Urchfab]

I will look into that. Cheers

[@piperdoug428]

So has the UK made it practically impossible to insure full custom builds on the road yet?

[@Urchfab]

No not yet.

[@valde3336]

Wouldn’t it be better to weld the two parts of that shaft together? That should get better steering feel. That shaft is made of two parts connected by torsion bar. Twist of the torsion bar is what controls the valves and the power assist of power steering.

[@Urchfab]

Yeh I missed that bit, Im gonna go back in and do that. Depower steering part 2 coming soon.

[@tslater1989]

Personally, I would have put a few greese fittings in place of a few welded makeshift plugs. Never have too much lube! :D Of course I live in the rust belt, and I drive heavy duty vehicles.

[@984francis]

grease

[@stevefuller1779]

Will you even be able to turn the steering ' cos on my car if the engine isn't running you can barely turn the steering or stop it.

[@MiniMattTV]

Manual rack ftw! I had an mx5 with the standard manual rack and it’s definitely a lot slower than the PS rack! Let me know if you’re interested in a spare open 1.8 diff

[@gregoryjohnwilson2108]

Non power steering racks, have oil in them, stick in around half a liter

[@yarkie1]

I don't see much wd40 used in other videos I watch. I thought it must be a Canadian thing. Haha. Good to see you using it! Sponsorship coming maybe!?!?

[@Urchfab]

I think its great stuff. haha Yeh that would be nice. Cheers

[@matthewporritt8797]

I might be wrong, but aren't you going to need to weld or pin the pinion where the valving was to avoid having free-play in the steering?

[@tslater1989]

If your referring to not staying in a straight line down the road. Thats all in your caster angle. Stops on the control arms for the knuckle to rest against will be the limiters on how far he can turn. Freeplay in the wheel will be negatated by having everything in tip top shape. No play in ball joints etc. Manual steering will always have drawbacks. But in this application, it will work well.

[@matthewporritt8797]

@@tslater1989 I would be concerned that there will be some slop in the system as you turn one way and then another. The valve that controls power assist relies on built-in deflection of the pinion shaft to act as a torque sensor. That deflection is still there when you de-power, and I suspect it will be quite evident in the steering-feel. I'd be happy to be proven wrong in this instance though.

[@NicAlberts]

You are correct. You really should fix the valve in place. Inside the pinion is a torsion bar that twists activating the valve. Here in New Zealand we are not allowed to weld steering components so we pin the valve solid. The torsion bar will eventually break if you don't do this due to the increased load.

[@Urchfab]

I missed that bit, I'm gonna have to have it back apart and sort that, any amount of play will drive me nuts. Cheers

[@hollowbite175]

Urchfab, first pic in the link, goes without saying, easy on the heat, any measurable run-out can cause tight spots in the rack. motoiq.com/project-miatabusa-part-5-de-powering-the-steering-rack/ Looking forward to seeing the Mongrel sideways in 2019 😁

[@olddognewtricks4804]

I was wondering is it possible to convert a steering rack for a right hand drive car to one for a left hand drive? Thanks,

[@Urchfab]

No I would say the casing is gonna be different. Cheers

[@brettkelly5920]

Those rubber seals won’t create that much drag that you would be able to notice while driving/steering the car

[@brettkelly5920]

MichaelKingsfordGray yeah your right definitely the possibility!

[@MrHBSoftware]

cant use the rubber seals without oil inside the rack, they would tear themselves apart. manual racvk just slide in nylon or teflon bushings

[@ForeverNeverwhere1]

Hugo B. Fill with oil, connect the two oil lines on the rack together with a short bit of hose, never done an mx5, but converted others. Not sure if things have changed, but it used to be the standard ghetto way of converting a rack

[@MrHBSoftware]

@@ForeverNeverwhere1 that is crazy heavy steering and zero road feel if you do it that way. i have done that couple of times the problem is you have to turn the car and also push the oil throught the valving system with your arm strenght. the road feel is zero so not appropriate for racing, drifting or anything else other than putting a car back in the road with a totally seized pas pump if the customer doesnt have money for replacement.

[@Urchfab]

I think they would, plus they would just get dried out and chewed up over time.

[@pawpatina]

4:00 i don't bother with the o-rings, just the outer bushing on the main shaft and fill with grease.

[@paulthompson5416]

WaynesWorkVlog would the orings not take up the little bit of slack? I’d imagine a very slight play once removed? Just a thought as I know shit all about steering racks 🥴

[@pawpatina]

@@paulthompson5416 like i said, i leave em. only the main bushing needs to be cut off. then grease it up.

[@MrHBSoftware]

cant have the orings without oil. they will tear apart..been there, done that. best to remove them right from the start

[@pawpatina]

@@MrHBSoftware not if you fill it with grease... as stated above... and even if they tear apart, they will just be mashed around in there. no big deal.

[@MrHBSoftware]

@@pawpatina been there, done that, grease is washed away by the oring when turning the rack first time, lack of grease creates wear, oring tears apart, oring pieces get jammed everywhere, oring becomes useless. dont have energy to debate about this. i have more than enough experience to know my shit, you either take my advice or do it your way and screw up. Sliding against the nylon bushing is the standard on manual racks, nylon bushing is good for thousands of miles without any service

[@peterwall737]

Still waiting for my hoodie ? But love the build

[@Urchfab]

Where are you and when did you order it?

[@peterbonnez]

I'm upset today, whilst my NB was parked somebody drove into the drivers door & then drove off. BIG dent. Boo Hoo. Interesting to see the steering stripped down.

[@marnieroberts7195]

rebody time??? :D

[@peterbonnez]

@@marnieroberts7195 Do you know of an old 100E that needs refreshing! ☺

[@ajones8699]

Urcha..

[@craigey1289]

Matt...l love watching your fabrication work it's a joy. But do me a huge favour on mechanical....buy a decent ball pane hammer and a set of cold chisels and stop using a claw hammer and screwdrivers. Seriously my friend it's not a good look 😱

[@ipaddlemyowncanoe.7441]

👍👍🇨🇦

[@raymondbrazel9903]

Please don't use a claw hammer. Your not a carpenter. Still love you work

[@syazwanbadari4316]

🤫🤫🤫🤐🤐🤬🤬🤬🤬

[@rudders6012]

First comment!

[@HaafizHoosain-bv2mc]

When u convert the rack did it work good