Installed new Rack and Pinion - toe out problem, everything adjusted down

[byunique]

I replaced by rack and pinion last weekend. Its a rebuilt unit from carsteering.com. As far as I know it's a genuine OEM original part but just rebuilt. I assume dimensions of the rack are original at this point. When I assembled everything back together the tires are visibly toe out and the adjustments on the rack are bottomed out. There is a good 5 threads or so visibly exposed on the inner tie rod thread. (see pic) (both left and right side are consistent)

Looking at the old rack, it looks like I had cut the threads down to make it all fit, but can't remember why I did exactly that. It's been too long.!!! Maybe for this exact problem...I just cant remember.

I had replaced the outer tie rods before and they are from Motorsport a long time ago. Maybe the thread depth of the rods were insufficient? I ordered some new rods from them just a few minutes ago. Figured it wouldn't hurt having a second choice as I remove the old rods and check dimensions against the new ones and replace them if necessary.

Just trying to get a feel if other people have had the same experience and what are some of the common pitfalls if any. Has anyone else cut the inner tie rods before? I may have to cut 1/2 from each side or 5/8.

The suspension is Tokico 5 way adjustable with Eibach Progressive Springs and the Tension compression rod kit with urethane parts, and urethane bushings in the control arms, and sway bar. So mostly stock in terms of pickup points.

Not sure if anyone has any measurements laying around, but it woudl be great to know

1) length of tie rod and thread depth

2) end to end distance of rack (from inner tie rod to inner tie rod) Maybe the rebuilt one has extra long threads? I just have nothing to compare it to since I hacked my old rack

Thanks everyone!!!

[cbuczesk]

I set the toe on my race car at 1/8" in.

Chuck

[byunique]

I set the toe on my race car at 1/8" in.

Chuck

Thats good to know. Do you recall how many threads you are showing on your tie rods? Can you visibly see 1/8"? Is there a easy way to measure toe out besides using a measuring tape on the front and back side of the wheel?

Thx!

[cbuczesk]

I always measure using a tape and comparing front to back. That's got to be more accurate than comparing threads. Wish I could be of more help.

Chuck

[olzed]

With the car on a level surface, stretch a strong string or fishing line around all four wheels, good and tight, as near to the centre line of each wheel as you can. Centralise the steering wheel. You will see at a glance how much toe you have on all wheels, and how straight your car is.

I always used this method to align wheels on motorbikes, and it seems to work on cars as well.

Edited October 24, 2013 by olzed

[hr369]

take a piece of 2x4 wood and pound a nail in it.

jack up your tire place the nail tight up against the tire and spin the tire to score a line in the tire with the nail. set the car down so its level and roll it back and forth a bit then measure front and back.

i have cut down tie rods in the past. it was on a rhd rack that was brand new never used datsun. to this day i don't know which datsun it went to but the inner tie rods and outer were very close. grinding 1/4" off the tie rod end made them identical to my 280 tie rods.

Edited October 24, 2013 by hr369

[byunique]

take a piece of 2x4 wood and pound a nail in it.

jack up your tire place the nail tight up against the tire and spin the tire to score a line in the tire with the nail. set the car down so its level and roll it back and forth a bit then measure front and back.

i have cut down tie rods in the past. it was on a rhd rack that was brand new never used datsun. to this day i don't know which datsun it went to but the inner tie rods and outer were very close. grinding 1/4" off the tie rod end made them identical to my 280 tie rods.

ah, the scoring of the tire is a interesting/easy method. Easier to measure across the score than the back of the wheel too.

Nice, thanks

[byunique]

never heard of that before...cool!

[hr369]

its how the body/frame shop i worked at back in the early 80's did it except the tools they used were more refined.

[byunique]

So, pulled out the old tie rods and compared to the new ones from Motorsport Auto. The old ones were definitely longer, about 3/8 of a inch and the threads weren't as deep on the driver side. I put it all back together and even achieved toe in of 1/2" and had plenty of adjustment. Not going to leave it toe in of course, but just goes to show there was plenty of adjustment left as compared to before. So somehow when I bought these rods way back from Motorsport, I must have been sold the wrong tie rod.

Thanks everyone for the help!