Elephant Racing Tie Rod Ends

[CBRacerX]

I am aligning my 87 911 after replacing the left front strut and installing Wevo Camberking. I have "ERP" (NOT Elephant Racing) tie rod ends which have a drop adjustment and screw into standard 930 tie rods. I am running 1.6 degrees negative on the front. In order to get to zero toe, I need a bit more adjustment on the tie rod end heim joint - I am bottomed out and still have about 1/4" of total toe out. This is my street car, not an autocross car!

The 930 tie rod still has enough adjusting threads to get me there, but the heim joints will not accept any more.

Does the Elephant Racing version of these Toe Links allow for more "consumption" of the tie rod? Is there another version that would do it? I do not mind replacing, these were installed in 2001, and I think are the same ones that broke on Craig's old 911.

[JP911]

On some of the bumpsteer kits you need to remove the spacer between the tie rod and the steering rack. I know for a fact that this is the case on the ERP setup that Smart Racing sells. I've looked at the installation instructions for the Elephant Racing kit and it does not require removal of the spacers.

[CBRacerX]

Originally Posted by JP911

On some of the bumpsteer kits you need to remove the spacer between the tie rod and the steering rack. I know for a fact that this is the case on the ERP setup that Smart Racing sells. I've looked at the installation instructions for the Elephant Racing kit and it does not require removal of the spacers.

Excellent point - I will take a look at the setup I have.

[CBRacerX]

I took a look and the spacers between the rack and the turbo tie rod ball joint are still installed. Removing them, as long as it did not cause any other problems, would give me the slack I need.

[JP911]

From your pic, it looks like you have the ERP kit. The only other bump steer kits that I've seen available for 911s (Elephant and Rebel Racing) have stacks of smaller spacers for adjustments.

You can see the instructions from Smart Racing here: http://www.smartracingproducts.com/installation.htm

Look for "481210: 911 Bump Steer Instructions (1965-1989)"

[CBRacerX]

Originally Posted by JP911

From your pic, it looks like you have the ERP kit. The only other bump steer kits that I've seen available for 911s (Elephant and Rebel Racing) have stacks of smaller spacers for adjustments.

You can see the instructions from Smart Racing here: http://www.smartracingproducts.com/installation.htm

Look for "481210: 911 Bump Steer Instructions (1965-1989)"

Thanks, that helps a lot. Installed without instructions the first time...

[CBRacerX]

As a final follow up I decided to cut the tie rods down instead of removing the spacer. Worked very well.

[TRE Cup]

A caution on removing spacers between the rack and tie rods. These also act as stops for the rack. If there are removed and if the tie rod inners slam into the rack, the support sleeves on each end get damaged and fall out. Result: sloppy loose steering !!

ALWAYS check full range of movement whenever doing modifications to the steering or suspension. You don't want a nasty surprise

[CBRacerX]

Originally Posted by TRE Cup

A caution on removing spacers between the rack and tie rods. These also act as stops for the rack. If there are removed and if the tie rod inners slam into the rack, the support sleeves on each end get damaged and fall out. Result: sloppy loose steering !!

ALWAYS check full range of movement whenever doing modifications to the steering or suspension. You don't want a nasty surprise

Hence my approach

[Chuck Moreland]

Originally Posted by CBRacerX

Does the Elephant Racing version of these Toe Links allow for more "consumption" of the tie rod? Is there another version that would do it? I do not mind replacing, these were installed in 2001, and I think are the same ones that broke on Craig's old 911.

While I haven't compared the 'consumption' depth of our rod ends with others, we have never encountered this problem and have never recommended removal of the big spacers on the steering rack.

For precisely the reason Dave mentioned, they act as steering rack limiters and removal is the first step to damaging your rack!

It would be a reasonable conclusion that our thread depth is greater.

[CBRacerX]

Originally Posted by Chuck Moreland

While I haven't compared the 'consumption' depth of our rod ends with others, we have never encountered this problem and have never recommended removal of the big spacers on the steering rack.

For precisely the reason Dave mentioned, they act as steering rack limiters and removal is the first step to damaging your rack!

It would be a reasonable conclusion that our thread depth is greater.

Makes sense Chuck. the ERP version (at least the older one I have) noted that removing the spacers was required. Wasn't gonna do that