tie rod end bolts on steering rack

I'm in the middle of a PS depower job and I may have screwed the pooch. I had to pull the rack before cracking the big bolt that connects to the tie rod end...the big bolt with the metal keeper on it (not the castle nut on the hub, the bolt under the boot.)

Anyway I had the rack in a vise, with a wrench on both ends, the passenger end keeper chewed up and the bolt on that side backed out. So now I've got the shaft spinning freely. I wrapped it in a towel and put the shaft in the vise directly, but I can't get the vise anywhere close to tight enough on the shaft to allow the other bolt to crack without rotating.

Any ideas? Is it time to go to the junkyard and try again? At least i've got the pinion out I can go drop it off at vorshlag while I figure this out... :punchout:

FML just found out I have to work tonight... oh well i'll put this on the shelf until tomorrow, go to sleep, and make a bunch of overtime.

To explain.

I've basically managed to do what this guy said not to do and pulled the rack first...

http://www.motoiq.com/magazine_artic...ring-rack.aspx

Problem is getting this bolt off here. (not my photos)

http://photos.motoiq.com/MotoIQ/Proj...33_fVz4Y-M.jpg


So now i'm here...but the other end spun off so I have nothing to grip the shaft with (TWSS).

http://photos.motoiq.com/MotoIQ/Proj...13_WXo4M-M.jpg


I guess i'm SOL trying to fix this myself at home. I need to take it to a machine shop with a hydraulic press or a bigger vise. Any recommendations around Euless?

Did you try rubber bands?

Hmmm..... no I hadnt. Just realized the rack teeth section is flat, I bet I can get the vice to hold it nicely there. I'll try it when I get home.

This is what I get for trying a project under sleep deprivation.

How about a pipe/monkey wrench? I have one you can borrow if you need to.

HA! a big ass pipe wrench is the only way I could get ANY of these bolts off...including the stupid 12mm hydraulic lines. After a day of PB blaster, my wrench's just bent and rounded the bolts. It's obvious Mazda didn't want anyone screwing with this. Maybe two couldn't hurt, but I think I can get that nut off with my big wrench.

^Last line is begging to be quoted...i'll just leave that way :)

Success! Well sort of... I have a leftover c clip but I know where it goes so no biggie.

How hard was it to pull the PS rack? Mine is going to need to be replaced soon. Local mechanic I know quoted over $1,000 for parts and labor.

Honestly it was a bit of a PITA, but mainly because I decided to start the job after 20+hrs without sleep. Mainly the bolts are all SUPER tight w/ threadlocker and there's the usual 20 years of crud all over everything. 1 grand, hardly. I can see $200 maybe. And FYI mazdaheaven has whole racks for $45 - $75. Definitely a DIY job.

Edit, I don't believe them, but guys on m.net say they can swap them out in like 30 minutes. Maybe with the right tools and a lift.