Tie Rod Ruminations

[Rod Walter]

There are probably many of us who like to (or are forced to) play with the toe adjustment on our cars. For instance, it has always aggravated me when after an alignment the steering wheel isn't quite centered.

Wouldn't it be great if the outer ends of tie rods were scribed with lines every 30 or 45 degrees so that minor adjustments could be made more easily at home! You could mount a pointer on a magnetic base or paint a thin line on the tie rod end threads and gauge more accurately just how much of an adjustment you are making.

I suppose that you could easily put lines on the tie rods yourself with a straightedge if done every 45 degrees by scribing them every 90 degrees and then dividng each quadrant in half. But 30 degrees would allow more accurate adjustment.

Has anyone done something like this? Or is this an aftermarket opportunity (even if a lame one )?

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Rod Walter
'88 911 coupe

[This message has been edited by Rod Walter (edited 07-23-2001).]

[Rod Walter]

So, is this one of those ideas that seems technically "neat" but for which there is no market interest?



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Rod Walter
'88 911 coupe

[Roland Kunz]

Hello

You can make it much simpler by making the scale on a deacal and roll it on.

You know Ĝxπ ( 360/30 ).

The Thread is 1,5 mm so 30°= 0,125 mm.
With a good eye you can see 5° differences thats 0,02 mm resolution.

Now, thats nice but how will it help finding the correct adjustment ? If you use the normal parallel rope system you messure direct from the rope to the rim and turn to fit anyhow.

Grüsse

[stlrj]

When I align my front end I always use the hex locknut as my reference. It works just as well as any mark you could scribe on the rod.

As far as centering your steering wheel, make sure you turn and count the hex sides equally on both sides...and you'll have your steering wheel perfectly straight after some trial and error.

Regards,

Joe

[Rod Walter]

Roland, thanks for the decal idea. I think that the marks would help the person without a "practiced" eye learn how a given amount of tie rod rotation translates into lateral movement at the wheel.

Joe, I guess I'm slow on the uptake today. When I turn my tie rods I've usually backed off the locking nut far enough that it doesn't turn with the rod so I can't use it as a reference. Am I missing something? Too, I couldn't use the hex nut method with my Land Cruiser since it uses clamps.



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Rod Walter
'88 911 coupe