hello,

i recently messed up my pinch bolt on the universal joint that connects to the intermediate shaft of my steering rack while depowering my steering rack. i was wondering if anyone knew where i could get a new one in the correct dimensions(which i dont know).

i was trying to tighten it down and i think i stripped out some of the inside of the pinch bolt. it spins, but cant be moved in or out anymore. i could figure something out with some space, but i can barely turn a wrench up there..
thanks,

carrington.

 

can't you back it out? you will have to somehow anyways, but it's likely you mangled the threads on the shaft so your next option is to get a new bolt just long enough to put a nut on the other side and cinch it down that way. or just buy another used joint, i see a few on ebay for not a ton of money.

 

it wont back out or go in anymore. i did the thing where you said put a nut on the end, but since theres a non threaded portion of the bolt that the retaining washer is supposed to sit in, i cant tighten it past that point.its currently operational, but still sketchy of course. i dont wanna use drastic measures to get it out before i have a replacement. alright though, ill check out ebay.
thanks

 

Take a PIC and post it where the problem is.
I've had my rack off more times than Collagen injections on Joan River's face.

 

If all the other connection are tight, the splines are there. Yep, won't come out, fubared threads. RE is right though, to fix it, it has to happen. Best to get it out and on a bench, I know this sucks but you will most likely need to do this. I've restarted a fubared thread if I could get something to apply pressure in the direction of removal.

Good luck.

 

Mazda part number B001-32-169A, for the lower one.

 

this is it, but before i ruined it. it looks the same, but without the retaining clip because the bolt isnt poking out enough to really get it on. i had like 2-3 threads to get a lil nut on the end.

 

thank you, but from what i can tell thats a bolt from the fd steering assembly. even if its the same, id still need the u joint.

i think i found something on ebay thatll work. but i appreciate the help!

86-91 Mazda Rx7 OEM steering wheel column bar u joint yolk swivel | eBay

 

EASY FIX!!:
Take the bolt and remove the Clip.
Put a nut on where the clip would be and wrench the bolt and nut together.It will draw them together and also tighten everything there without you having to take the shaft off.
That would give that area Enough security as now the bolt would have to back out of at least ONE inch of thread and also go past the shaft in order to get out!

*****..before coffee posting!

that is IF you can get the bolt to go on your few threads.

 

i know, thats what i initially thought to be the best idea too. but like i said, that bolt actually has a threadless portion(by design) that i cant wrench the nut past because the threads after the flat spot are inside the clamp..
so i have the bolt holding it on, but its not putting much extra clamping force down.

 

that joint is probably the same or similar on every Mazda from that time period, it is the same as the FD, and the 323/protege/familia too, among others.

Mazda doesn't sell the joints separate, you need to buy the whole shaft; F045-32-090G (i'm looking in the JDM S5 catalog).

i'm sure a used one would be fine, its not something that goes bad much