Toe In question
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,284
Likes: 443
From: Upstate NY
Toe In question
I installed a new PS rack on my car and had measured the lengths of sections and counted revolutions as I changed over the tie rod ends etc. When I had the rack installed I could see that the tires were off, with a toe out? and the steering wheel was off center.
To get it closer, I centered the steering wheel and holding a long straight edge from front tire to the back tire I could see that the DS was pretty much straight. The passenger side was turned outward, so I adjusted the tie rod end to also get it pointed straight ahead -it worked great and the steering wheel was centered and the car tracked staight.
All good at this point and I brought the car in for an alignment -they did it and it feels just as good as when I did it. Again, everything is good.
However, I was turning right into a parking space today and it felt as though I was not able to turn tight enough. I went home and measured and the wheels turn about 1" farther to the left than to the right.
What did I miss?? and how do I correct it?
Thanks, Glen
To get it closer, I centered the steering wheel and holding a long straight edge from front tire to the back tire I could see that the DS was pretty much straight. The passenger side was turned outward, so I adjusted the tie rod end to also get it pointed straight ahead -it worked great and the steering wheel was centered and the car tracked staight.
All good at this point and I brought the car in for an alignment -they did it and it feels just as good as when I did it. Again, everything is good.
However, I was turning right into a parking space today and it felt as though I was not able to turn tight enough. I went home and measured and the wheels turn about 1" farther to the left than to the right.
What did I miss?? and how do I correct it?
Thanks, Glen
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,284
Likes: 443
From: Upstate NY
Former Vendor
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,482
Likes: 3
From: Carmichael ca
When the rack is in the center of its travel, the steering wheel and the front tires should be straight ahead. If not the pinion gear was installed incorrectly. It looks like you're going to have to do the job over
Just had a thought, do the tie rods look to be out about the same amount? If there's a big difference side to side, that could cause the same problem.
Just had a thought, do the tie rods look to be out about the same amount? If there's a big difference side to side, that could cause the same problem.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 17,698
Likes: 1,667
From: moraga ca
The pinion was one tooth off on the rack when assembled. This would necessitate compensating by adjusting the tie rods one longer and one shorter. Unfortunately, the rack will be able to move more in one direction than the other. Gotta get another one. Sorry.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 773
Likes: 2
From: Minneapolis MN
Can the slip joint be installed in many different ways?Or can it be only installed one way?I know some cars there is a flat spot or hole on the input shaft on the rack & on some cars it can be installed 20 different ways
If your car is airbag equipped possible clock spring damage can occur as its ment to be able to do only so many revolutions-this is an extreme case & if only off a couple of teeth,won't cause this problem.Clockspring damage can cause airbag deployment
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,284
Likes: 443
From: Upstate NY
Again, I have the Z51 option and the attachment of the steering wheel column to the input shaft of the rack only lines up one way... as far as I can tell.
Right now;
The wheel is centered.
The tires are straight ahead.
It drives and feels perfect.
Each outer tie rod end has about 1/2" of exposed thread.
If I rotate the steering to the left, I get exactly one revolution.
If I rotate the wheel to the right, I get about 2/3 of a revolution.
Does this mean that when the rack was rebuilt, the internals were not assembled correctly?
If so, is it possible to correct it or do I bring it back to NAPA for a replacement?
Thanks, Glen
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 17,698
Likes: 1,667
From: moraga ca
Something is not right in the rack. Maybe there is a burr or damage to the rack that is not allowing the pinion to track all the way to the end. Whatever the reason, it sounds internal and there is not much you can do except exhange the thing.
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Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,284
Likes: 443
From: Upstate NY
1) I can't find the specification for 84 Z/51, but I believe that the steering wheel lock to lock, should be 2 rotations? That would definitely prove your point that something is binding internally if I can only get about 1 2/3 rotations
2) Is there anything external to the rack that limits the steering linkage travel?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,284
Likes: 443
From: Upstate NY
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 5,620
Likes: 206
From: Orlando FL
The caster will directly affect the ability of the car to drive straight. If the toe is out of whack, the car will handle very weird and will wear tires. You can get it close using old school measurement process.
But I would definitely go to a shop (that knows their stuff) and get a 4 wheel laser alignment. As much as any of us knows about cars and our abilities there is no substitute for doing the job right and having the correct equipment, which none of us probably has.
That and tires is about the only time anyone else works on my car. Some job are just not feasible to do it yourself and get it right. Some things I will pay the well spent money for. It is a small expense to what I save maintaining the car myself.
If after the alignment there is still a problem, it may be easier to find. Or the alignment person may actual identify the problem or repair it if simple.
But I would definitely go to a shop (that knows their stuff) and get a 4 wheel laser alignment. As much as any of us knows about cars and our abilities there is no substitute for doing the job right and having the correct equipment, which none of us probably has.
That and tires is about the only time anyone else works on my car. Some job are just not feasible to do it yourself and get it right. Some things I will pay the well spent money for. It is a small expense to what I save maintaining the car myself.
If after the alignment there is still a problem, it may be easier to find. Or the alignment person may actual identify the problem or repair it if simple.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,284
Likes: 443
From: Upstate NY
I'm trying to detemine if the rebuilt rack is bad, which means that I'll have to pull it out and get NAPA to replace it.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 17,698
Likes: 1,667
From: moraga ca
The caster will directly affect the ability of the car to drive straight. If the toe is out of whack, the car will handle very weird and will wear tires. You can get it close using old school measurement process.
But I would definitely go to a shop (that knows their stuff) and get a 4 wheel laser alignment. As much as any of us knows about cars and our abilities there is no substitute for doing the job right and having the correct equipment, which none of us probably has.
That and tires is about the only time anyone else works on my car. Some job are just not feasible to do it yourself and get it right. Some things I will pay the well spent money for. It is a small expense to what I save maintaining the car myself.
If after the alignment there is still a problem, it may be easier to find. Or the alignment person may actual identify the problem or repair it if simple.
But I would definitely go to a shop (that knows their stuff) and get a 4 wheel laser alignment. As much as any of us knows about cars and our abilities there is no substitute for doing the job right and having the correct equipment, which none of us probably has.
That and tires is about the only time anyone else works on my car. Some job are just not feasible to do it yourself and get it right. Some things I will pay the well spent money for. It is a small expense to what I save maintaining the car myself.
If after the alignment there is still a problem, it may be easier to find. Or the alignment person may actual identify the problem or repair it if simple.