Steering Rack Spacers

[mm86911]

Anyone have experience with these and was there a noticeable improvement in steering feel?

Already have the turbo tie rod upgrade and car is lowered. Am I correct to assume realignment would be needed after changing the geometry?

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Mike - Atlanta
'86 911 3.2 Targa

[carrera]

Lowered? By how much?
Is it lower than euro ride height?

What is your opinion on the turbo tie rod upgrade?

[Early_S_Man]

Mike,

It isn't a matter of 'feel' ... bump steer is what would be reduced somewhat by using rack spacers, but only needed if you are lower than the 113 mm lower limit spec for your car. The 113 mm is computed by the difference between the measured height of the center of front wheel and center of the rear portion of the torsion bar ... p. 86 of the '84-'87 spec book.

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Warren Hall
1973 911S Targa
1992 Dodge Dakota 5.2 4X4 parts hauler

[MIK911]

Hey, Early_S_Man,
How does the 113mm lowered spec compare to the more common measurement of lowering, eg 25.5" F, 25" R ?
My question is....if a car is lowered to Euro spec, is a bump steer kit needed? '86 Carrerra.
thanks
mike

[Early_S_Man]

No, I don't have a number to relate fender height to the factory ride-height specs, because fender height varies with different tire sizes!

The factory specs can be checked fairly easy with metal machinist's rules, and are independent of tire size variations FOR A REASON! The 108 mm +/- 5 mm spec was USA and European spec for all cars ... '65 thru '73!!!

No, any car adjusted within the factory 103 mm - 113 mm range doesn't need a rack spacer kit!
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Warren Hall
1973 911S Targa
1992 Dodge Dakota 5.2 4X4 parts hauler

[This message has been edited by Early_S_Man (edited 09-26-2001).]

[Colby]

I have my car lowered to euro spec and was experiencing bump steer, so I installed a bump steer kit (homemade using washers). The difference was drastic. The car literally kicked the steering to the side when going over bumps, it now glides over most bumps like it used to.

Here's the catch; I have "big" tires (225/45/17 and 245/40/17). They raised my height, so I lowered the body down again. So technically, if I had the stock Fuchs back on there, I would probably be a little lower than euro spec.

Colby

[Zendalar]

Oook, what are we talking about? My car does "follow the bumps" when driving on lousy road. What are the DIY things here that can prevent this happening?

[rstoll]

Zen, start simple, check the air in your front tires first.

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Robert Stoll
83 SC
83 944

[Wayne 962]

Originally posted by Early_S_Man:
Mike,

It isn't a matter of 'feel' ... bump steer is what would be reduced somewhat by using rack spacers, but only needed if you are lower than the 113 mm lower limit spec for your car. The 113 mm is computed by the difference between the measured height of the center of front wheel and center of the rear portion of the torsion bar ... p. 86 of the '84-'87 spec book.

Also found in '101 Projects' if you can't find a spec book...

-Wayne

[mm86911]

I'll need to measure height from torsion bar but know it is lower than euro spec (24.5" at fender lip) - 16x7 Fuchs with 225-50/16 P7000s. Car does "kick" back when taking a corner that's not perfectly smooth so I now understand the need.

1. Will raising the rack, thus changing angle of tie rods, affect toe setting??

2. Should I wait until I make other changes with align and balance?

Thanks for all the responses.

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Mike - Atlanta
'86 911 3.2 Targa

[This message has been edited by mm86911 (edited 09-27-2001).]