ARTech welded steering pinion compared to another
#1
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A guy from Austin posed these pictures of his de-powered rack from a shop that does lots of spec Miata stuff.
Abe's work:
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/race-prep-75/22555-artech-welded-steering-pinion-compared-another-218064_10100156321956580_23911356_47477636_6333027_n.jpg?dateline=1312915650)
The other shop:
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/race-prep-75/22556-artech-welded-steering-pinion-compared-another-sdc10403.jpg?dateline=1312915650)
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/race-prep-75/22557-artech-welded-steering-pinion-compared-another-sdc10407.jpg?dateline=1312915650)
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/race-prep-75/22558-artech-welded-steering-pinion-compared-another-sdc10415.jpg?dateline=1312915650)
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/race-prep-75/22559-artech-welded-steering-pinion-compared-another-sdc10416.jpg?dateline=1312915650)
I don't think I'd get in the car with that steering rack. It looks like the welds are too small, no penetration, and very little weld "bridging" the two pieces together.
Abe's work:
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/race-prep-75/22555-artech-welded-steering-pinion-compared-another-218064_10100156321956580_23911356_47477636_6333027_n.jpg?dateline=1312915650)
The other shop:
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/race-prep-75/22556-artech-welded-steering-pinion-compared-another-sdc10403.jpg?dateline=1312915650)
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/race-prep-75/22557-artech-welded-steering-pinion-compared-another-sdc10407.jpg?dateline=1312915650)
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/race-prep-75/22558-artech-welded-steering-pinion-compared-another-sdc10415.jpg?dateline=1312915650)
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/race-prep-75/22559-artech-welded-steering-pinion-compared-another-sdc10416.jpg?dateline=1312915650)
I don't think I'd get in the car with that steering rack. It looks like the welds are too small, no penetration, and very little weld "bridging" the two pieces together.
#2
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On second thought, the pinion probably won't fatally break, but the welds will and the spline will stay together. It's still a Helen Keller weld and I wouldn't pay a cent for work like that.
#6
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Either pinion is more than acceptable.
First of all, the twist shaft core that activates the power steering spool is still active and in place. Centering the two main pieces, aligning them, etc. You will never lose steering since it is present.
And secondly you can see that both shops welded into the spline zone. Even if the weld(s) cracked all the way through there would still be no spline movement. Since they are now filled with material.
Beautiful welds are nice to behold. Like on some of those polished mufflers. Or on the Ariel Atom frame.
First of all, the twist shaft core that activates the power steering spool is still active and in place. Centering the two main pieces, aligning them, etc. You will never lose steering since it is present.
And secondly you can see that both shops welded into the spline zone. Even if the weld(s) cracked all the way through there would still be no spline movement. Since they are now filled with material.
Beautiful welds are nice to behold. Like on some of those polished mufflers. Or on the Ariel Atom frame.
#9
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It looks bad in the pic, but I don't think there's any real problem. Should be more than enough weld.
Instead of a full depower, one of the things I'm going to try on my car over the winter is removing vanes from the power steering pump. I want to lessen the assist (and load) of the system, but not fully eliminate it.
13 hr enduro - p/s = fail
Instead of a full depower, one of the things I'm going to try on my car over the winter is removing vanes from the power steering pump. I want to lessen the assist (and load) of the system, but not fully eliminate it.
13 hr enduro - p/s = fail
#10
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It looks bad in the pic, but I don't think there's any real problem. Should be more than enough weld.
Instead of a full depower, one of the things I'm going to try on my car over the winter is removing vanes from the power steering pump. I want to lessen the assist (and load) of the system, but not fully eliminate it.
13 hr enduro - p/s = fail
Instead of a full depower, one of the things I'm going to try on my car over the winter is removing vanes from the power steering pump. I want to lessen the assist (and load) of the system, but not fully eliminate it.
13 hr enduro - p/s = fail
#12
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For those of you who say it's "OK", you're probably right. This is the difference in a part that lasts forever and a part that lasts 5-years. Remember, I'm the guy who doesn't work on his track toy when globetrotting and setting records.
#15
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Maybe we could up the size of all the parts to perhaps double. And make them out of F1 / Mars Mission level material installed by ultimate ninja techs.
I love nice welds but this is just overkill based on not understanding how the pinion actually functions. A beautiful 360 TIG with before and after steps is probably 3 times stronger than the rest of the pinion or other steering parts from wheel to tie rod end. Sure it may only take five minutes. But it is no better than the 4 tack job also shown.
I know…lets all convert to 8 lug wheels. They are stronger!
I love nice welds but this is just overkill based on not understanding how the pinion actually functions. A beautiful 360 TIG with before and after steps is probably 3 times stronger than the rest of the pinion or other steering parts from wheel to tie rod end. Sure it may only take five minutes. But it is no better than the 4 tack job also shown.
I know…lets all convert to 8 lug wheels. They are stronger!
#17
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Karl from ART did those welds on the pinion shown in hustler's 1st post, which is mine by the way. It's not going to fatally break... if anything it will just go back to having slop like the video below...
http://vimeo.com/15245486
If it breaks I'll just take it back out and take it to a better shop. Thankfully there are no more PS lines to disconnect... just 5 bolts.
MotoIQ Article on Depower
Also, you'll notice in this other photo that one of the welds is cracked...
http://vimeo.com/15245486
If it breaks I'll just take it back out and take it to a better shop. Thankfully there are no more PS lines to disconnect... just 5 bolts.
MotoIQ Article on Depower
Also, you'll notice in this other photo that one of the welds is cracked...