MX5 Steering boot too tight, and Tie rod end not tightening.

camerart · 29 Aug 2019

Hi,
I'm replacing the Steering boots and the tie rod ends oin my Mazda MX5 NA 1993 Eunos.

1/ The large end of the Boot was too tight to fit, so I heated it with a how air gun, till it went on. Has anyone had a similar experience with this car?

2/ With the old Ties rod end removed, and the new one on the tie rod. When in the taper, the nut won't tighten (It has plastic locking) I couldn't even get the old nut to tighten it into the taper. I try twisting the ball trying to hold it, but still can't get the nut to tighten. To me it seems as though the taper isn't quite right.
I tried the old one back in and it acted normally, and I could tighten it ok.

Any ideas, please.
Camerart

Burnerman · 29 Aug 2019

Press the track rod end firmly but gently into place with a trolley jack so the tapers can grip. The nut will then tighten.
It sounds like an after market steering rack boot rather than original.....they need to be tight but can usually be persuaded into place without heating....doesn't matter though, its on!
John

camerart · 30 Aug 2019

Burnerman said:
Press the track rod end firmly but gently into place with a trolley jack so the tapers can grip. The nut will then tighten.
It sounds like an after market steering rack boot rather than original.....they need to be tight but can usually be persuaded into place without heating....doesn't matter though, its on!
John

Hi J,
Trolley jack! Oh how the other half live! A pile of bricks and a plank held the Tie rod end, which is now tight.
I think the Boots are incorrect for the Eunos, which has differences from the MX5. Today I'll measure the other one, and the steering rack end, and see the difference. NOTE: In the image the EUNOS warning.
Thanks.
C

Mottie · 30 Aug 2019

Lol. Thermoplastic boots with cable ties! You’d have been better off buying some universal rubber ones.

camerart · 30 Aug 2019

Motman said:
Lol. Thermoplastic boots with cable ties! You’d have been better off buying some universal rubber ones.

Hi M,
I understand what you're saying. As they were still pretty warm after the hot air gun, they yielded to the cable tie, and the molding went into the groove ok.

I'll look out for some universal ones, for when these fail.
EDITED:
C.

Burnerman · 30 Aug 2019

I'm wondering what the difference is between the Eunos and the original MX5 - maybe one had PAS or something.
I'm afraid I don't know much about these cars, but I've replaced springs/shocks, timing belts and brake discs....that's about it I think as well as the usual service items.
Both vehicles needed rocker cover gaskets as the plug wells were full of lube.
On the rear brake caliper, if yours has a 14mm blanking bolt the adjustment in the form of an allen screw is within that.
John

camerart · 30 Aug 2019

Burnerman said:
I'm wondering what the difference is between the Eunos and the original MX5 - maybe one had PAS or something.
I'm afraid I don't know much about these cars, but I've replaced springs/shocks, timing belts and brake discs....that's about it I think as well as the usual service items.
Both vehicles needed rocker cover gaskets as the plug wells were full of lube.
On the rear brake caliper, if yours has a 14mm blanking bolt the adjustment in the form of an allen screw is within that.
John

Hi J,
I measured the end of the Steering rack and it was 6MM larger than the gaiter, so the ones I bought definitely need warming.
C.

Burnerman · 30 Aug 2019

Yep, that's too much for stiff gaiters to yield - reminds me of Iveco truck stuff

Anyway, they might last years....or days so just keep an eye on them.
John

MX5 Steering boot too tight, and Tie rod end not tightening.

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