Bump Steer Kit?

[MattAlpha]

Can someone tell me what the specs are on the bolts (size and length) for the steering rack and also for the width of the spacers.

Is it necessary to replace the bolts or can I re-use the ones that are currently holding my rack in there?

Thanks,
Matt

[barney911rs]

Matt,

It sounds like you are trying to build your own kit like the Weltmeister version?? That kit is only $13.95 from our host, so the time and effort to make one would probbaly be more then it would cost to buy it. If this is not the case, I don't have those measurements.

[Gunter]

Matt:
You cannot re-use the existing bolts.
The spacers are about 12-13 mm.
Take one bolt out and add the thickness of the spacers to the length you'll need for the new bolts.
To install, you'll need to disconnect the coupler in the smugglers box so you can push the rack up.
Center the steering wheel and hold it with bungy cords before you open the coupler.
Do a search.

[MattAlpha]

Gunter,
Thanks for the input. I figured, I'd have to measure it, I was just hoping someone would know the current size of those bolts. I was planning on picking something up from Fastenal this afternoon. I did a few searches, and none of them turned up the sizes of the bolts.

Seems pointless to me to order Weltmeister kit when its only two spacers and bolts. I wanted to get this done today and not have to wait for a kit to be shipped. The kit is very affordable that our host sells, I just didn't want to have to wait for it or pay double the price of the kit to get it shipped to me.

Thanks guys,
Matt

[MattAlpha]

I think the stock bolt M10x35 and is the bump steer kit bolt M10x45, is that correct?

Just wondering if this strikes a node with anyone.

-Matt

[sus911]

Yep, did it yeterday.
Cheap mod, even in US dollars.......

Phil

[Super_Dave_D]

Originally posted by MattAlpha

Seems pointless to me to order Weltmeister kit when its only two spacers and bolts. I wanted to get this done today and not have to wait for a kit to be shipped. The kit is very affordable that our host sells, I just didn't want to have to wait for it or pay double the price of the kit to get it shipped to me.

Ya it's only your steering and suspension - go the cheapest route

[barney911rs]

The spacers if I remember correctly are not flat on both sides. They are concave to match the shape of the steering rack. How are you going to do that with some off the shelf parts?

[Zeke]

Originally posted by barney911rs
The spacers if I remember correctly are not flat on both sides. They are concave to match the shape of the steering rack. How are you going to do that with some off the shelf parts?

Not the Welts, anyway. IIRC, the exact length of the bolt needed for the maximum spacer falls between standard sizes. I had to cut some down a bit to keep them from bottoming out in the steering rack.

The reason there is a maximum spacer is that anymore and you're tweaking the rubber bushing too much. Stay under 1/2". Add only as much thread length as you add spacer.

[MattAlpha]

Thanks guys,

I'm looking at my options. On a side not, I stripped one of my rear eccentric bolts when I was torquing it to 61ft-lbs. I thought it was seated properly, but I guess it wasn't. So I'll have to order that from our host and along with that bolt I'll go ahead and order the Welt kit as well. So I'm passing on going cheap for the moment )

-Matt

[aigel]

You forget that the Weltmeister kit comes with red anodized spacers! You can't get that at the hardware store!

But seriously, glad that you saw the light and just ordered the kit!

George

[MattAlpha]

Sometimes its hard to see the light when it is blinding you...

[barney911rs]

Matt,

Now that the shop light is no longer blinding you , there are better solutions to correcting bump steer, although more expensive. Check all the options our host offers before making a final decision. I have the Welt kit now, but am changing it when I put my coil-overs in.

[Gunter]

I found that, as long as you don't go lower than 25" front and 24.5" rear, the kit helps very nicely with bump steer.

[MattAlpha]

Gunter,

Right now I've lowered my car to 25" front and 24.25" in the rear, but I'll be raising the rear to 24.5"ish probably tomorrow. This all resulted in having to replace the spring plate bushings and the while I'm in there bug bit me. So I went up to 26mm rear torsion bars and a few other things. That's where the fun with the ride height began. At first I went way too low at about 23.75", that wasn't intentional. I'm aiming for 24.5 to 24.75 rear, keeping the front at 25". Its just such a PITA to remove the rear spring plates each iteration of finding the desired ride height. I'll get it on the next try, but man looking back on it I would have bought the adjustable spring plates.

-Matt

[Gunter]

'78 should have the adjustable spring plates stock?
It is absolutely imperative to be on level ground to get correct settings.
Expect that gas-pressured shocks like Bilsteins need time to settle.
Leave the rear swaybar off until you are happy with the height.
Expect to jack up and down a few times.
Set the torsion lever in the middle of the spring plate, then index the T-bars. Fine-tune the final setting with the eccentric bolts.
Scribe marks will help.

[MattAlpha]

Gunter,

I'm pretty sure that I have non-adjustable (height) spring plates. I have Carrera trailing arms amongst many other "updates" that came with the car.

Here's a pic (after I replaced the bushings and painted them).



If I'm wrong please let me know how to adjust the height using them.

-Matt

[aigel]

Man, don't help me paint anything! Or did you have Stevie Wonder help out?

Those are "adjustable" plates. However, there is very little wiggle room. They are basicall fine adjustments, after you dial in the ride height via torsion bar splines. You will find info on this in both, the 101 projects and the bentley manuals. Basically the two bolts you see there are where your adjustment's at. I don't remember the details from when I did my ride height adjustments, but one of the bolts is excentric and the other is a retainer, IIRC.

Cheers, George

[911s55]

Matt those are OEM adjustables, loosen the bolt closest to bushing and adjust with the large eccentric bolt next to it, and finish painting them.

[Gunter]

Matt:
George said it: The inner bolt is regular, the outer is eccentric.
Mount the short position lever in the center of the Torsion plate.
That way you have final adjustments up or down after you have indexed the T-bars. Study the 40/44 spline principle to set height.
At the end of the Torsion plate you have more eccentric bolts for the Camber and Toe.
Use the Bentley for details.
You'll find it hard to turn the eccentric bolt with the large hexagon with the full weight of the car on the Torsion plate, don't bother.
After you have set the height by indexing the T-bars, go to a shop for final alignment and c-balancing.