Measuring tie rod ends? Best way??

[markmalin]

Hi guys,

I'm replacing the tierod ends. What's the best way to measure where the old ones were so that I can get as close as possible with the new ones? I've heard about counting the number of turns when you unscrew the old one, and screwing the new one in to that point...and also measuring the length of the tie rod. If I measure the length of the tie rod with it in the car, though, where to I measure to?

Any tips would be most appreciated.

Also, do I really need to have it aligned afterwards? (probably a stupid question...but I had to ask)

TIA
Mark

[James Brown]

aftermarket tie rod ends sometimes are different lengths so counting the threads might not be the best method. Pick a point and measure prior to from the center of the joint to a fixed point. toe in, toe out will be effected, but you can get close. a quick check at a alignment shop will confirm your settings. have fun!

[markmalin]

Originally Posted by James Brown

aftermarket tie rod ends sometimes are different lengths so counting the threads might not be the best method. Pick a point and measure prior to from the center of the joint to a fixed point. toe in, toe out will be effected, but you can get close. a quick check at a alignment shop will confirm your settings. have fun!

cool. Thanks for the help, James.

Mark.

[pete3799]

Back the lock nut off and measure from it to the center of the tie rod.

[boyt911sc]

Originally Posted by James Brown

aftermarket tie rod ends sometimes are different lengths so counting the threads might not be the best method. Pick a point and measure prior to from the center of the joint to a fixed point. toe in, toe out will be effected, but you can get close. a quick check at a alignment shop will confirm your settings. have fun!

Mark,

If you know and understand how the toe-in/toe-out is done and measured on 911 cars, replacing tie rod ends regardless of brand names or dimensions is straight forward. You could get it close to the old setting by measuring the difference between the old and new tie rods and make the appropriate adjustment accordingly. The trick is to know the toe-in/toe-out in degrees of your car now and start from there.

Tony

[wildcat077]

There's always the old crude string method ... lol
I had to reset my suspension for a DE a few weeks ago and came out just the way i wanted with the strings.Did both inner and outer tie rods on my F150 the same way and it came out perfect.

Tie a string through a spoke on your rear wheels and run it along the outside of the tire towards the front and just clamp a bar or a rod to your front bumper,there's plenty area to clamp on to and set your new tie rods to the same specs !

Cheers !
Phil