Outer tie rod alignment
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,185
Likes: 265
From: Virginia
Outer tie rod alignment
I’m changing out my inner and outer tie rods. The pass side took 15 turns to remove the outer tie rod and 17 on the driver side. Do you want you outer tie rods to be threaded the same number of turns on the inner tie rod or does it not matter? I’ll be getting an alignment afterwards either way
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 1,286
Likes: 611
From: DFW Texas
Since you counted the number of full turns of the outer tie rod when removing each side, then I would duplicate the same when installing on the new inner rods. This would be close, but you should get a 4-wheel alignment before any variance would result in unwanted tire wear.
GD
GD
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,492
Likes: 808
From: West coast CA
I’m changing out my inner and outer tie rods. The pass side took 15 turns to remove the outer tie rod and 17 on the driver side. Do you want you outer tie rods to be threaded the same number of turns on the inner tie rod or does it not matter? I’ll be getting an alignment afterwards either way
If you try to make them the equal by screwing in the passenger side 1 turn and screwing out the driver side 1 turn, your steering wheel will point right when you're driving straight ahead.
The alignment guys will fix it regardless. You're unlikely to get it exactly right, so just try to match how it was and let them make the adjustment.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,185
Likes: 265
From: Virginia
You want the outer joints wherever they have to be so that with the steering wheel centered, the car drives straight ahead with the desired amount of toe-in.
If you try to make them the equal by screwing in the passenger side 1 turn and screwing out the driver side 1 turn, your steering wheel will point right when you're driving straight ahead.
The alignment guys will fix it regardless. You're unlikely to get it exactly right, so just try to match how it was and let them make the adjustment.
If you try to make them the equal by screwing in the passenger side 1 turn and screwing out the driver side 1 turn, your steering wheel will point right when you're driving straight ahead.
The alignment guys will fix it regardless. You're unlikely to get it exactly right, so just try to match how it was and let them make the adjustment.
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 94
Likes: 20
From: Colorado Springs CO
When I change tie rod ends I always duplicate the number of turns.
That being said one car will drive perfectly straight and another will be way way off and require tweaking just to get it to the alignment shop.
That being said one car will drive perfectly straight and another will be way way off and require tweaking just to get it to the alignment shop.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 12,438
Likes: 919
From: CONCORD NC
here is my 20 year old DIY alignment guide....setting toe is super easy with a straight edge and 2 tape measures. If you swap them one at a time, just re-set the toe on the the side you change. Even if you don't trust yourself to get it perfect, you can get them almost within spec with very little effort.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Cvs...usp=drive_link
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Cvs...usp=drive_link
