Dumb tie rod question

ryan j · 06-14-2005, 07:25 PM

Does it matter if the tie rod end fastens up or down through the steering arm?

I'm asking because the castle nut and cotter pin was on top during disassembly and the new shock/spindle/steering arm is tapered the opposite direction, making it impossible not to mount it the opposite way.

Jeff Alton · 06-14-2005, 07:31 PM

Yes it is important. Are you saying that you bought new struts and they are tapered so that the larger part of the hole that the tie rod goes through is on the top and not the bottom?!?!? Where did you buy the strut?

Jeff

pwd72s · 07:37 PM

I'm bumping this because I don't feel it's a dumb question at all...involving a safety issue. I'm not sure, but I'm thinking Grady would know. I'll email him a link to this. Try to hold off doing anything until he replies, please. I have this horrible image of your steering going away at the wrong time. That, we wouldn't want.

(edit) Ryan? The year and model of your car???

Jeff Alton · 06-14-2005, 07:40 PM

It would still go left when turned left etc. but it would have a terrible tie rod angularity problem and bump steer issues to say the least!

Jeff

ryan j · 06-14-2005, 07:48 PM

I just went out and double checked to make sure, and the tie rod will only go down through the arm, leaving the nut and cotter pin on the bottom.

They are Leda shocks. They used a set of donor spindles that they had there. Are there other models that have this orientation?

pwd72s · 06-14-2005, 07:56 PM

Ryan, I never heard of Leda shocks...again, the year and model of your 911? Please hang in until Grady Clay responds, okay? Donor spindles from what??? Who are the "they" that used a set of donor spindles? Lots of questions here, and I'm no suspension expert. Grady is...

ryan j · 06-14-2005, 08:06 PM

Leda is a UK based company that deals mainly with motorsports on that side of the pond.

Everything there is custom built. You have to send them donor spindles, or they have some there that you can get for cheap. It was alot cheaper to use their's, so that's what I went with.

The car is a '73 911.

Grady Clay · 06-14-2005, 08:08 PM

Ryan,

What is the model and year of your car?
Can you post a digital image?
When you said donor spindles, are these some remanufactured parts?
Do you still have your old struts? If so, compare the two – new to old. Look at the spindle angle compared to the shock tube.

The only way I can think of this happening is they either put the spindles on the shock tube upside down or they incorrectly re-machined the steering arm with the wrong taper. If the spindles are upside down they should have 20-30 degrees of negative camber. How is the ball joint attachment to the bottom of the shock tube?

pwd72s is correct; do not install these until everything is sorted out. If this is as bad as it seems, get your money back and tell everyone you can.

I’ll post more in the morning.

Best,
Grady
gradyclay@hotmail.com

ryan j · 06-14-2005, 08:20 PM

These were built with a degree of negative camber added into the assembly at my request, and they did that correctly. The ball joint lined up nice, and everything looks great except the hole in the steering arm is tapered the wrong direction.
I'm not sure where the spindle came from. The arm looks the similar to the original. I'm going to call them tomorrow and figure out what the deal is.

pwd72s · 06-15-2005, 07:40 AM

Bump. Ryan, did you find out anything more?

ryan j · 06-15-2005, 02:05 PM

I talked them today, and they didn't notice the direction of the taper when they built them. They told me to put in a spacer for the steering rack and it'll be fine..... I'm not really convinced that it will be.

Grady Clay · 06-15-2005, 02:17 PM

Give me a brake! These guys build high performance stuff? The steering rack can’t move that far without interfering.

Have them send you a correct pair of struts and pre-paid shipping to return the defective ones they sent.

Best,
Grady

ryan j · 06-15-2005, 03:21 PM

Finally found some proof they messed up.
There's a small cast number followed by a R on the left strut, and wouldn't you know it.. the number on the right strut is followed by an L. They put them on backwards

pwd72s · 06-15-2005, 05:05 PM

Ryan, did you pay by credit card? If so, call the card company, tell them your problem. Maybe you can get your money back through the card company...then ship the junk back. Yes, there are steering rack spacers, supposedly to help with bump steer on lowered cars...but I don't think they could begin to help in a scew-up like this. Grady? Your thoughts?

Grady Clay · 06-15-2005, 07:08 PM

Ryan,

The title of your thread proves there is no such thing as a dumb question. You are to be congratulated for spotting the taper in the first place. I hate to think how many people (not Pelicans) would have just bolted it up with the mis-matched taper. Thanks for posting.

I wonder what those spindles are from. Any idea?

Best,
Grady

ryan j · 06-15-2005, 07:54 PM

I'm working it out with the manufacturer. I'm not sure exactly what the spindles are from. Could be off an SC, due to the brake caliper mounting hole spacing. I think the spindles would work, just not upside down. I'm surprised that they got the camber to be even close. Eyeballing it, things look alright, but I'm sure on the rack it would be way off.

Ken Hewitt · Ken Hewitt's Garage

Im doing turbo tie rods ball joints, and four shocks on Friday and maybe Saturday if it goes slowly (self induced). Im glad I saw your post although i have the original spindles...Good luck getting it straightened out.

Ken

Jeff Alton · 06-15-2005, 09:21 PM

What a bunch of clowns! Glad you asked and did not just put them in...

Jeff