Tie Rods & Bump Steer

jet528e · 09:11 AM

I installed a set of Turbo Tie Rods on my '86 a month or so ago and at the same time, I leveled the car to 25 1/4 on the rear and 25 3/4 on the front (ground to fender). This was nearly the setting prior to the TTR install (I wanted 25 1/2 by 25 however that is as far as could lower the rear without adjusting the t-bars). I had it alligned after the project which also included new Bilsteins around (HD fronts and Sports rear). I can't really tell if I'm getting a little bump steer or if it is just road feel.

Question: Should the tie rods be parallel to the ground (assuming the car is on level ground)? Is there a certain amount of angle that is acceptable without causing bump steer? It appears that my tie rods are not parallel with the ground, as the tie rod ends are maybe an inch higher then where they connect to the steering rack.

TIA

Wil Ferch · 05-24-2004, 09:10 AM

Yes....ideally they should be close to parallel to ground, and on a lowered car like yours ( below Euro of 25.5" fr / 25" rr, fender measurement), this shouldn't be too surprising.
The spendy ERP bump steer kit will make things right...for about $300.

Rack spacers may work...to a point, but you can only get spacers about 13mm ( 1/2") thick under there...and that would correct cars that are lowered no more than 1/2" from Euro ( resulting in 25" fr/ 24.5" rr). Some cars use rack spacers and are lowered more than 1/2"...so the spacers only partially compensate.

--Wil

jet528e · 05-24-2004, 09:14 AM

Wil, Thanks.

I'm a goof at times and typed the wrong height. My height is 25 1/4 rear and 25 3/4 front (not quite euro spec), however you did answer my question as the rods are not parallel.

dickster · 05-24-2004, 09:28 AM

i may be wrong here but it sounds like you dont have the lowering problem and spacers wont help. if the inside end of the track rod end is higher from the ground lowering the car futher will make it parallel?

i have lowered mine to 241/2 and 25 and i am pretty sure my point upwards on the outside - hence i needed the erp kit.

jph83 · 05-24-2004, 10:00 AM

Hey Rich, didn't you buy a kit? Have you installed it yet? (i guess not, stupid question!)

dickster · 05-24-2004, 10:06 AM

yes, and, er, no i havent got round to it yet.

theres just never time but i gotta do it this summer

jph83 · 05-24-2004, 10:12 AM

Lol... yeah i know what u mean... just set yourself a target date that you can't alter.... like driving to the Le Mans 24hr... That'll get you motivated!

dickster · 05-24-2004, 10:19 AM

the way i look at it is i'll have loads of stuff to do when i retire in 25 years

but you're right you have to make time for it. i managed to change the broken number plate last weekend.

jet528e · 05-24-2004, 10:27 AM

Dickster,
Going from the wheel to the steering rack, they are sloping down, not by much, maybe an inch. Actually I think I will live with it for now. It is not too bad, plus I just had the car aligned and if I raise the rack, I'll need another alignment. Also, I plan on upgrading the T-bars next winter (can only spend so much a year on upgrades per the boss), thus it may be a good time to install the bump steer kit then.
Thanks for the reply.

Wil Ferch · 05-24-2004, 10:32 AM

Jim:
Raising the rack should only affect toe.
This can be done at home with simple tools...see the BBS and search on posts I've made on this...
---Wil

dickster · 05-24-2004, 10:38 AM

jim,

ok so the inner is lower by an inch not higher. that should be ok. mine is not great in steering - i noticed a difference when i dropped it - see how yours feels.

i did the toe myself as wil suggested, it was very easy with a piece of wood and some pins in the tyres.

jet528e · 05-24-2004, 11:30 AM

Wil, dickster,
Thanks guys, maybe I'll do it now then. Wil, I've used your articles before (alternator R&R) and found it very helpful. Will follow your suggestion. Thanks!