I'm in the process of depowering a S4 power steering rack. Does anyone know how the two bearings in the control valve assembly shaft are removed? The FSM is vauge to say the least. I can't tell if the bearing down by pinion plug is pulled out past the pinion plug threads or bushed back into the body. If pushed back into the body does that also then unseat the roller bearing and oil seal midway in the housing? Again in all it's clearity the FSM tells you how to reinstall the roller bearing and oil seal but doesn't actually tell you how to remove it. Any help would be greatly appreciated?

 

I depowered my S5 rack a few years ago but I don't remember doing any of that stuff... just cutting the seal on the long shaft and putting everything back together, packing with grease and then sealing the ports with RTV. Are you following a writeup?

 

I've referenced the Flyin Miata and MiataBusa ones. Neither talk about these bearings nor does a detailed writeup by Titanium TT on RCC. I suspect most people just leave them in place and lub them as best as they can. My concern is a) cleaning all the power steering fluid out b) properly relubing those two bearings since they won't be sitting in PSF anymore. Also if the rack has ever been compromised in the past due to bad boots it's these two bearings that are going to take the brunt of the abuse based on my talking apart a compromised rack. So people might be interested in replacing these.

 

when taking apart my power steering and cutting that seal out, i cleaned the psf out and greased everything including the bearing.. also i had some new tie rod performance boots that i put on. has very nice feel on the front end now that i got rid of the old chomped up ones. I also didnt take that other loose seal thingy out. i followed the same flyingmiata instructions and yes they are vague and i wasnt sure if i was supposed to take it out either. hopefully i did it right.