2G Depower steering rack issues

[punk3rz]

So I’m in the process of making a very in-depth tech article on depowering a 2g steering rack to post and ran into an issue.
When removing the retaining pin, it looks like only half of it came out but I’ve rotated it and don’t see any piece of the pin left and yet it won’t release.
Here is a pic of the retainer that came out:

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Any suggestions on how to get the remainder out if there is one or what could be keeping it from releasing the shaft?
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

PS: for anyone doing this, ENSURE ALL FLUID IS DRAINED!
Somehow a little got trapped and when I moved the shaft(after doing so probably 20 times) fluid worked it’s way to a fitting under pressure and sprayed into my face, eye, ceiling, wall, floor, tools, etc.
This was one of the very few times I didn’t have safety glasses on and regret it.
Let my mistake be a learning lesson for you.

 

[Doubleot]

When I did mine, I saw it pop out, started spinning the opposite way and it came out without a hitch, I'm sorry it isn't much help, but it seems like it'll be a pain to get half of it out.

 

[punk3rz]

I ended up putting the broke pin in it and spinning it around which pushed the piece that was broken in it out finally. I hope to have the tech article up this week.

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[Vdubzr32]

Interested in reading the thread and the benefits on de-powering the steering rack.

 

[lasthope05]

Make sure you weld the shaft while you're in there. I see a lot of people leave that out.

 

[punk3rz]

Make sure you weld the shaft while you're in there. I see a lot of people leave that out.

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I planned on it although I don’t see the point.
If you leave the seals on then there shouldn’t be any weak points and should support it like oem.
If someone can give a reason for it, I’d love to know.

 

[lasthope05]

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I planned on it although I don’t see the point.
If you leave the seals on then there shouldn’t be any weak points and should support it like oem.
If someone can give a reason for it, I’d love to know.

The whole point of depowering a rack is to reduce internal friction from removing the sealing ring on the rack and to weld the pinion to reduce steering wheel slop. By not welding it, you would still have a sloppy steering wheel that will shimmy left and right a 1/2" or more before it engages.

 

[punk3rz]

So I made a crappy video comparing the pinion slip before and after welding for those interested.

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[punk3rz]

For those interested in depowering your rack, here's a link to my tech article:
How to depower steering rack / manual rack conversion