Wow, $14 bump steer kit is amazing

SlantnoseSD · SlantnoseSD's Garage

I used to have some really bad bump steer to where if I hit a bump it would almost take the wheel out of my hands. I just got done installing the $14 bump steer kit from our host and its awesome. I was a little skeptical because I figured nothign could be fixed for $14 but it is awesome. It doesn't have any bump steer left and it only took me about 1.5 hours to install.

I would highly recommend it.

Danny_Ocean · 08-10-2006, 09:56 PM

What's the difference between the $14 kit and the $300 ~ $500+ kits? (And don't say "About $250.00").

87coupe · 87coupe's Garage

The $14 kit is nothing more than spacers for the steering rack. The $3-500 kits go between the steering knuckle and your tie rod.

jester911 · jester911's Garage

Most of the more expensive kits are adjustable as well.

charleskieffner · 08-11-2006, 03:42 AM

do your tires rub? will this help that pesky problem? look in your ups box today for the belts.

Miguel Antonett · 08-11-2006, 05:06 AM

Any other difference on the steering wheel feeling, Do you notice the difference ONLY when hitting a bump?

wcc · 08-11-2006, 05:59 AM

The $14 bump steer kit is good quality I can't deny that. It worked well for me too. But if you ever have problems with installation or questions while installing it you might as well have a beer and talk to the wall. I'm not just talking about this kit either. In my LIMITED experience with Weltmeister, their customer service/support was horrible! With me anyways. Results may vary. I won't go in to details, but if I can avoid, which shouldn't be hard to do, Weltmeister products in the future. I will.

Brant · 08-11-2006, 06:40 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by SlantnoseSD
I used to have some really bad bump steer to where if I hit a bump it would almost take the wheel out of my hands. I just got done installing the $14 bump steer kit from our host and its awesome. I was a little skeptical because I figured nothign could be fixed for $14 but it is awesome. It doesn't have any bump steer left and it only took me about 1.5 hours to install.

I would highly recommend it.

Did you do an alignment after install?

rfn026 · 08-11-2006, 06:48 AM

I've had similar problems with Weltmeister. If everthing works you're fine. Any problems and they can't help. they did though help me source the plastic covers for the rear sping plates. What was amazing was that they had none it stock. I susupect they don't make a thing on their own.

The good part is the price. The bad part is that it's usually a primitive solution to a problem. Just compare their Weltmeister bars to some of the new products on the market. A whole world of difference. Weltmeister is the Target of Porsche parts. If you want Armani you have to find a different source.

Richard Newton

SlantnoseSD · SlantnoseSD's Garage

I dont knwo the difference as far as feel between a $300 kit and the $14 kit but I use my car on the street and the price on the $14 kit was right. I figured if it did not work then its not much of a loss in the wallet.

The steering feels tighter because before it would wobble over bumps or uneven pavement so it seemed like I was always getting a bit of a vibration but now it is solid and firm.

I would have to rate my mechanical ability as a solid 3 on the "101 Things" scale. It took me a lttle over an hour but was not difficult. It would have taken me less time but I had to disconnect my amps and capacitor that reside under the hood on top of the smugglers box. This alone took me 20-30 minutes to do. All in all it was a very easy install.

widebody911 · widebody911's Garage

This is what the high-dollar kit looks like:

rfn026 · 08-11-2006, 09:59 AM

How are you guys measuring bump steer? I usually remove the sping so the lover control arm can make the full arc. What are you guys doing to get the bump steer correct?

Richard

randywebb · 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Danny_Ocean
What's the difference between the $14 kit and the $300 ~ $500+ kits? (And don't say "About $250.00").

about 25 mm...

The amount you lower the car determines what you do to re-establish a decent suspension geometry. If it is lowered just a bit - say for street use - then all you want to do is the spacers (fat washers).

If it is lowered a lot, then you need to move the spindles.

Search for more info - it's been discussed in detail.

MattAlpha · MattAlpha's Garage

Slantnose,
Can you post a pic of the $14 kit after install.
That will let us compare its looks to the $300 widebody 911 posted.

Thanks,
Matt

Brant · 08-11-2006, 10:29 AM

Matt,

you can't really see the 14$ kit after install
it goes between the chassis and the suspension cross brace.
so its covered/hidden after installed.

picture about 8washers in a stack with a longer bolt.
brant

rs6er · rs6er's Garage

When I installed the steering rack spacer, it raised my front end a bit. Did you have the same experience?

rfn026 · 08-11-2006, 10:44 AM

Check this link out. Some of you may be actually making the bump steer worse.

http://www.stockcarproducts.com/tech1n.htm

Richard

Nickatnyt · 08-11-2006, 11:22 AM

95% of my bump steer was cured with the cheapo kit from PP. Took me a couple of hours then had to have my mechanic do a quick front end alignment.

Wil Ferch · 08-11-2006, 11:52 AM

I can't believe we're "into" this thread for this amount of time and number of responses....and we still haven't answered the basics.

Assuming for the moment that Euro ride height is ideal as it pertains to bump steer ( it isn't...but it's close)...let's go from there.

The $14 bump steer kit is simply a set of washers and longer bolts. If you happen to be lucky enough to lower the car the exact amount of the washer thickness ( below Euro height)....you then re-establish the "goodness" you had before you lowered. The goal is to get the steering arms as parallel to horizontal as you can get, as this imparts the least amount of "horizontal" motion deviation with a bump.

The washers are only about 12-14 mm thick, so lowering 1/2" is all she wrote as to maintaining this goodness. If you go lower, you will start deviating from "goodness" since there is only so much space for the washers and thicker washers don't fit the allowable space.

THAT's where the spendy bump steer kits really shine. Fine adjustability in a broader range of applications ( ride heights). Plus..if you remember...I said the Euro height was assumed to be nearly perfect. It is actually not that. The spendy kits even allow you to fine tune at Euro height...but many people would not take the time to tune properly, as it it's an involved process with small adjustments.

- Wil

911pcars · 08-11-2006, 12:44 PM

"95% of my bump steer was cured with the cheapo kit from PP."

Bump steer is excessive toe change as the suspension moves - not ideal for cornering. That the $14 kit reduced the steering kickback was secondary (but no less important).

One can only approximate true bump steer correction with these spacers. Richard provided a good link explaining what it is and how to propertly measure it. Only after measuring it can one fully correct it, but this is more of a must requirement for a track car than for the street.

Sherwood