Front End Refresh - oh oh

[Zed Head]

The TC rods should be straight. And yes, they bend fairly easily from tire impacts on hard things.

Thanks for the feedback. I realized that I now have three spare rods in the garage, plus the two on the car, so went out and used the edge of a small adjustable carpenter's square on them. Two are perfectly straight and one is bent. One on the car is very slightly bent, the other perfect. Seems like the bend's only real effect is to pull the end of the transverse link (control arm) back slightly due to a decrease in effective length. Changing the wheel base on side. Something that happens anyway due to the elastic bushings on the end of the TC rod and the elastic in the inner bushing. The factory front suspensions on these cars seem to be pretty flexible. The only time the wheels are properly aligned would be when cruising straight down a level smooth road.

[LeonV]

Thanks for the feedback. I realized that I now have three spare rods in the garage, plus the two on the car, so went out and used the edge of a small adjustable carpenter's square on them. Two are perfectly straight and one is bent. One on the car is very slightly bent, the other perfect. Seems like the bend's only real effect is to pull the end of the transverse link (control arm) back slightly due to a decrease in effective length. Changing the wheel base on side. Something that happens anyway due to the elastic bushings on the end of the TC rod and the elastic in the inner bushing. The factory front suspensions on these cars seem to be pretty flexible. The only time the wheels are properly aligned would be when cruising straight down a level smooth road.

Caster angle is also changed, magnitude depending on the severity of the bend.

[Zedyone_kenobi]

Correct, I rolled mine on a flat piece of bench and one wobbles the other is dead flat when it rolls.

Gnose, I agree with what you say, but having adjustment of the length of the LCA, plus adjustment of the TC rod, I just figured I could honk something up. But you are correct with just let an alignment shop do it. I just figured purchasing one from a member was a much more cost effective way to solve my problem. If I were to start making my car a more dedicated track car, I will have to revisit both the front and back of the car. AZC may get a call.

[cbuczesk]

It's boxed up and on the front porch ready for USPS Priority Mail delivery.

Chuck

[Zedyone_kenobi]

Thanks so much Chuck! You really went above and beyond buddy.

[ZCurves]

... I keep it mopped and shined up before during and after every job. In about 3 weeks there will be an engine/tranny swap....

A well placed refrigerator box will save you a bunch of consternation. When you are all finished 90 percent of the debris gets folded up with the cardboard...

[cbuczesk]

A well placed refrigerator box will save you a bunch of consternation. When you are all finished 90 percent of the debris gets folded up with the cardboard...

Yeah, I used to do that. But the cost of buying a new refrigerator every month made it kind of expensive.

Chuck

[Zedyone_kenobi]

HAHAHA

I just just buy simple green by the gallon! hahah

[Zedyone_kenobi]

Okay guys, I am nearing the point where I want to start putting my Z back together, and while cleaning off the steering knuckles I thought to myself, 2 things.

1) Now would be a really crazy ideal time to install the quick steering knuckles

and

2) Since I am running 15" wheels, and MSA sells bump steer spacers that are suppose to correct for this 'misalignment' due to lowered cars, (tokiko springs and struts), are they really necessary?

Has anybody else used either of these products?

[Zedyone_kenobi]

Well I said the hell with it, I ordered the quick steering knuckles but NOT the bump steer spacers. I could not find any reviews of them and whether they will really help. My car is not THAT much lower than stock, so while my LCA in front are not in OEM position when the car is still, I cannot imagine it is enough to really screw anything up. But I will keep searching for any reviews.

I also ordered some rubber bushings for the TC rods. I have the ball/socket kit, but the poly bushings I had are just do darn hard, I wondered if I could get the correct length using the little spacer. Today I spent the day with a grinder and some VHT chassis black.

[Zedyone_kenobi]

Last night I spent a couple of hours cleaning bolt threads and washers. Not the most glamorous work, but pays dividends in the long run when it comes time to reassemble.

[Bonzi Lon]

I'll second that.

Bonzi Lon