Tie Rod dimension

[azygoustoyou]

Can someone give me a good base dimension for the tie rods? I didn't know I should measure them at dis assembly.
Now I have nothing to go on. Thanks
One more thing. Does the outer tie rod on each side tighten in the normal fashion? Righty tighty, lefty, loosely.

[124JOE]

i have 13 1/8 overall length on the driver side
and 13 overall for the pass side

righty tighty yes

[124ADDHE]

Center to Center on my tie rod ends is 11 7/8" exactly, both should be close to the same unless something is messed up.

[azygoustoyou]

Thanks guys,
I guess I'll go with 12" both sides.

[124JOE]

the tie rod ends are threded clockwise and counter clockwise
the bar is the same

when i resently did mine i discovered the PO or repair shop had fliped the drivers side end over end
the package descibed inner and outter
installed corectly!!!

my over all end to end mesurement is 13,13 1/8
so 12 sounds good for center.

but always take it to get alined

[azygoustoyou]

I'm guessing the ones that are normal go on the outsides. The reverse threads on the inside.

[manoa matt]

It doesn't matter what is inside or outside. One end is conventionally threaded, the other reverse threaded, so that when installed you can adjust them in or out by turning the tube. You set your toe-in by loosening the clamps and turning the tube to lengthen or shorten the distance between the tie rod ends. A center to center measurement from the dimple or grease fitting on the bottom of the joint is going to be the most accurate.

[azygoustoyou]

Thanks Matt,
I put them on and centered the driver side to be straight and the passenger side is turning left.
Is it bad that is like that? I guess not all will be perfect or what?

[124JOE]

you need to have your stering wheel straight
then pick the straightest tire and make it perfect
keep checking the Swheel "you want it dead nuts"
then go after the last wheel

tow out just a little.joe

[spider2081]

Didn't you had the steering box off the car? How do you know if it is in the center of its travel when the wheels are centered?

[124ADDHE]

The standard toe spec is 3mm toe in +/- 2mm, however, I totally agree with 124joe, 2-3mm toe-out feels really good and she just wants to fly into the turns lightly and effortlessly, it is a bit more finicky on a straight line over a road with many deviations, it seems to pull you around more really..not much more but noticeable. Toe-out is my vote.

[azygoustoyou]

Yeah I had the steering box out. Everything was off and nothing was marked. I don't even have the steering wheel on yet. I have the hub just sitting on top of the column. I just moved the wheels back and forth was noticed the difference. At what angle does the pitman and Idler arm point toward when when your wheels are straight? Or is there a way to find the center? The book doesn't tell you how to do it without making the marks to line everything up.

[124JOE]

i may be wrong but i belive

count the turns lock to lock and put it in the middle.joe

[v6spider]

Brady,
Get the book "Chassis engineering" by herb adams.... It can show you how to do an alignment with two coffee cans, a ten foot piece of steel tubing, and a protractor level.

...no joke.. Everything you need to know about alignment and suspension theory is there in almost plain english...

Update:
Joe you are correct... I put a mark in my steering wheel so that when I take it off and put it on it will be aligned correctly.

Brady:
I couldn't say enough about the book I mentioned with it I gain a way better understanding of how steering and suspensions work. Enough to manufacture may own steering arms and build custom link rods for the rear and also the impending change to three link suspension in the rear..


Rob

[v6spider]

bump..