Tie Rod to Steering Rack Question

[Doug E]

I had a steering failure at the track today that resulted in an off-course excursion. Car is an '81 SC with 96k original miles, turbo tie-rods and original steering rack. After checking it out, here's what I found on the right side:

-outer tie-rod end was still attached with no damage to either that or the ball joint.
-no damage to strut, sway bar or torsion bars
-inner tie-rod end was separated from the steering rack
-no damage on the male threads on the t-r or on the female threads on the rack
-after aligning everything up, I can twist by hand the inner t-r end and thread it back into the rack

Has anyone heard of the kind of failure before? At first I almost couldn't believe my eyes but after staring at it for an hour tonight in the garage it looks like the inner t-r simply worked it's way off the rack.

The only thing I can thing of is whoever put the turbo t-r's on (previous owner or shop) didn't thread the end all the way in and it worked itself out over time. In looking at 101 projects and the Bentley it doesn't appear there is anything holding it in except loctite and the pressure from the outer t-r.

I won't be able to get back to the car until Wednesday but right now I'm thinking of putting it back together, checking the alignment and seeing how she drives.

Thoughts, Opinions?

TIA

[North Coast Cab]

It sounds possible, but the toe out on the tires would be unbelievable. Did you crank the tie-rod down and make sure it seats well? Maybe the threads appear to be fine but actually aren't.


JG

[Doug E]

JG - no, I haven't cranked him down tight yet. Waiting until I get some loctite and the thin tool so just incase everything is OK I only have to put it back together once. I hear you about the toe-out so I'll check the wear on that tire out of curiosity.

[Jim Richards]

Doug E, in addition to the wrench, I have loctite. I think the lack of loctite may have contributed to this problem.

[Doug E]

Thanks Jim. I'm off to the airport now for vaca.

I'll talk to you on Wed.

[Carrera Sled]

Yikes! Good to hear you didn't do any damage. That could even be ugly happening on the street. After seeing this, you may even want to use the high-strength Loctite #271 in your racing application. Here's the Tech Data Sheet: http://65.213.72.112/tds5/docs/271.pdf

Wouldn't the wheels go toed-in as it backed out?

[APKhaos]

Doug,
The offending side should have been screaming as the toe geometry shifted IF the rod end worked it ways out over time. Should see some serious scrubbing on that tire.

You might remember that I had a rack bushing come adrift at Watkins Glen. That allowed the tie rod/rack shaft tp move around inside the rack casting. The change in geometry was minor compared to a rod end threading off. Despite that, the car felt very 'wrong' I was not sure what was up, but it was clear that the steering geometry was way off. No mistaking it - one wheel was scrubbing like the devil.

The alternative hypothesis is harder to imagine - how did the threaded rod end disengage quickly from the rack? This one has me baffled! Very good to hear you and the car are OK.

[targa911man]

Originally posted by Jim Richards
Doug E, in addition to the wrench, I have loctite. I think the lack of loctite may have contributed to this problem.

The heck with Doug--I want my loctite back!

[Jim Richards]

Ooops!