spl tie rod install gone wrong - Zilvia.net Forums | Nissan 240SX (Silvia) and Z (Fairlady) Car Forum

singlecamslam · 07-28-2009, 04:59 PM

SCROLL DOWN FOR UPDATE!!.So you would thing installing some tie rods is pretty simple right? well it is, everything went smoothly except the end result. For some reason after i centered the rack out the passenger side tie rod is adjusted almost all the way out, i'm afraid to adjust it any longer, while the driver side is fine. Both wheels get the same amount of angle too. This is on a s13 with s14 knuckles and control arms. Heres some pictures.

*fliprayzin240sx* · 07-28-2009, 05:01 PM

You sure you got your steering wheel centered???

Wait if you got S14 knuckles and LCA, did you order Tie rods for S14s?

***FaLKoN240*** · 07-28-2009, 05:25 PM

...how does that even happen? You're using Z32 inners? Or are you using the new set up with Z33?

singlecamslam · 07-28-2009, 05:28 PM

I'm using the new set with the z33 inners. And the website for spl says s13/14 so i'm guessing it works for both? I'm sure i centered it right because i get a little over 1 and 1/2 turns each way. I emailed SPL asking if i needed to order the setup for the s14 rather s13 but i really dont think that matters.

bfellini · 07-28-2009, 05:30 PM

center the rack to the tie rods, then remove and replace steering wheel,.,,done

singlecamslam · 07-28-2009, 05:43 PM

^ what? The way i centered the rack is counted the turns it takes to go from lock to lock and divided by 2, thats the way i always do it.

irax · 07-28-2009, 05:50 PM

are you sure your frame is straight?

singlecamslam · 07-28-2009, 05:56 PM

Well now i'm not sure. The car was crubed before the tie rod install, and i had to replace the control arm, but i dont think that could of done this much damage. Everything bolts up straight into its place and i did some measurements and everything looks fine. Dont really know whats up with this.

edit: car was curbed on the drivers side at 10MPH.

irax · 07-28-2009, 06:06 PM

what does your crossmember look like?

singlecamslam · 07-28-2009, 06:19 PM

Straight, hit wasnt hard enough to damage it. I'm gonna look at it again and take some pictures of it though.

racepar1 · 07-28-2009, 06:22 PM

It sure sounds to me like the steering rack is not centered. Count the turns from center to full lock in either direction. The steering wheel should be in the exact opposite position when it is locked in either direction.

singlecamslam · 07-28-2009, 06:35 PM

I though it wasnt centered too, but the thing is right now it hits the bump stops from lock to lock perfectly and theres like 2mm clearance from the tie rod shank and the control arm on both sides. I'll take pictures later on to show what i'm talking about. I am going to make sure the rack is centered again though. Also my steering wheel was put on crooked anyways so i dont know where the center is thats why i counted the turns and took half of it. Is there a better way to center it not knowing where the center of the wheel is?

***FaLKoN240*** · 07-28-2009, 07:42 PM

Another thing you should fix is having it threaded out from the joint.

The adjuster should always be threaded up to the ball joint and only the tie rod's length should be adjusted for alignment.

singlecamslam · 07-28-2009, 08:05 PM

SPL instructions say thats how its supposed to be, its preset that way for reasons i dont know. heres the link i followed. SPL Parts

***FaLKoN240*** · 07-29-2009, 02:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by singlecamslam

SPL instructions say thats how its supposed to be, its preset that way for reasons i dont know. heres the link i followed. SPL Parts

Oh wow, they didn't have that write up when I had mine

Oh well.

It's honestly an overkill part, but whatever..

Forge_55b · 07-29-2009, 02:24 AM

assuming the tie rods are the same length on both ends (you should measure it just in case?) if you want to at least guess what the center of the rack is I think you can just pop off the tie rod boots and see how much is sticking out? someone please correct me if I am wrong because its been a while since i installed my tie rods.......if the racks centered which I think by now he is pretty sure of it being there or at least close, somethings bent up most likely, what tho? who knows really, could be anything

mad-ass · 07-29-2009, 02:53 AM

might be stupid that I ask this..

do you have angle spacer on one side and not on the other?

just digging for more possibilities.

I know FSM has a bit long section on steering itself. check it out maybe?

mestizo · 07-29-2009, 03:22 AM

The pics of the tie rod install on SPL site are my pics from my install.

Did you just visually center the steering wheel or did u actually center the rack and when I say center the rack I mean actually equal out the racks length from the rack housing on both sides? If the rack is not set at an equal length on both side it would cause the problem you are having.

singlecamslam · 07-29-2009, 10:26 AM

I cant use the steering wheel to center out because it was crooked from the beginning so i left it alone. Should i have popped off the boots and center it that way? By measuring the length on both side of the housing? I just counted turns when i did it.

mestizo · 07-29-2009, 12:40 PM

Yes pull the dust boots off and center it by equaling out the rack on both sides of the housing. Once they are equal your rack is dead center and your tie rods will be almost the same length depending on your alignment specs.

singlecamslam · 07-31-2009, 03:09 PM

Ok so i went to look at the car today and the rack was centered right on. I took pictures:
heres the pictures showing that its centered or close to it.

heres some random pics, maybe you guys can spot something wrong? Frame damage? I really dont think the frame is bent.

mestizo · 07-31-2009, 06:41 PM

Without a tape measure or a caliper those pics really don't show us that it is centered, but it does appear to be centered. I did notice one thing with you pics, one side of the outer tie rod looks to adjusted longer than the other side, but again it's hard to tell without some form of measuring tool to compare to.

singlecamslam · 07-31-2009, 07:57 PM

I measured everything before i took those pictures, it was actually off by like 1/8 of an inch, after i adjusted that 1/8 inch i had to thread out the passanger side even more.

After that for the hell of it i adjusted the threads to be even on each tie rod, when i did that the tie rod shank would hit the control arm on the passanger side, and driver side was hitting the bump stop too early. Could my rack and pinion be messed up?

singlecamslam · 08-01-2009, 04:45 PM

Update, so today i spent a few hours measuring the frame according to the FSM. Everything is right on the money. So its not the frame, and the rack is centered. Any ideas?

negrosx13 · 08-01-2009, 10:35 PM

idk man..just a random thought but check if the inner tie rods the same lengh..thats seem to be only thing it could be...

singlecamslam · 08-02-2009, 03:49 PM

yea i measured them too. i know this rack is bad because i got it for free and its hard to turn, the rack wouldnt cause this problem though right?

mestizo · 08-02-2009, 06:55 PM

The rack could cause this if the teeth are mangled, but thats not usually the most likely problem. But anything could have happened to that rack before you bought it, so if you have a spare rack pull them out and compare them turn for turn.

negrosx13 · 08-02-2009, 10:12 PM

if you have a spare rack...pop it in there and cross your fingers

singlecamslam · 08-02-2009, 10:48 PM

Well i dont have a spare one, but someone can sell me one for like 40 bucks.

singlecamslam · 08-20-2009, 10:43 PM

So i took off my rack and pinion and my cross member. Rack and pinion really seems messed up because its all jittery when i manually turn it so i'm getting another one. As for the cross member here's some pics, it doesnt look bent to me, but should i get another one in case? I'm low on money.

07-28-2009, 04:59 PM	#1
singlecamslam Post Whore! Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Norcal Posts: 2,534 Trader Rating: (10) Feedback Score: 10 reviews	spl tie rod install gone wrong SCROLL DOWN FOR UPDATE!!.So you would thing installing some tie rods is pretty simple right? well it is, everything went smoothly except the end result. For some reason after i centered the rack out the passenger side tie rod is adjusted almost all the way out, i'm afraid to adjust it any longer, while the driver side is fine. Both wheels get the same amount of angle too. This is on a s13 with s14 knuckles and control arms. Heres some pictures. __________________ Nothing says racecar like a stock car with no interior. Last edited by singlecamslam; 08-20-2009 at 10:41 PM..

07-28-2009, 05:01 PM	#2
fliprayzin240sx Man w/ CTSV & a Car Seat Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Tampa Posts: 17,998 Trader Rating: (19) Rides Gallery: fliprayzin240sx Feedback Score: 19 reviews	You sure you got your steering wheel centered??? Wait if you got S14 knuckles and LCA, did you order Tie rods for S14s? __________________ If you think Zilvia has too many assholes... CLICK HERE!!!

07-28-2009, 05:25 PM	#3
*FaLKoN240* Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: SoCal Temecula Posts: 16,893 Trader Rating: (73) Feedback Score: 73 reviews	...how does that even happen? You're using Z32 inners? Or are you using the new set up with Z33? __________________ Best way to do business with me? Make your best offer FIRST.

07-28-2009, 05:28 PM	#4
singlecamslam Post Whore! Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Norcal Posts: 2,534 Trader Rating: (10) Feedback Score: 10 reviews	I'm using the new set with the z33 inners. And the website for spl says s13/14 so i'm guessing it works for both? I'm sure i centered it right because i get a little over 1 and 1/2 turns each way. I emailed SPL asking if i needed to order the setup for the s14 rather s13 but i really dont think that matters. __________________ Nothing says racecar like a stock car with no interior.

07-28-2009, 05:43 PM	#6
singlecamslam Post Whore! Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Norcal Posts: 2,534 Trader Rating: (10) Feedback Score: 10 reviews	^ what? The way i centered the rack is counted the turns it takes to go from lock to lock and divided by 2, thats the way i always do it. __________________ Nothing says racecar like a stock car with no interior.

07-28-2009, 05:30 PM	#5
bfellini Zilvia Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Eagle Rock, CA Posts: 167 Trader Rating: (6) Feedback Score: 6 reviews	center the rack to the tie rods, then remove and replace steering wheel,.,,done

07-28-2009, 05:50 PM	#7
irax Post Whore! Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: San Diego Age: 41 Posts: 4,249 Trader Rating: (4) Feedback Score: 4 reviews	are you sure your frame is straight? __________________ Drives a BRZ and is building a V6 S12 coupe.

07-28-2009, 05:56 PM	#8
singlecamslam Post Whore! Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Norcal Posts: 2,534 Trader Rating: (10) Feedback Score: 10 reviews	Well now i'm not sure. The car was crubed before the tie rod install, and i had to replace the control arm, but i dont think that could of done this much damage. Everything bolts up straight into its place and i did some measurements and everything looks fine. Dont really know whats up with this. edit: car was curbed on the drivers side at 10MPH. __________________ Nothing says racecar like a stock car with no interior.

07-28-2009, 06:06 PM	#9
irax Post Whore! Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: San Diego Age: 41 Posts: 4,249 Trader Rating: (4) Feedback Score: 4 reviews	what does your crossmember look like? __________________ Drives a BRZ and is building a V6 S12 coupe.

07-28-2009, 06:19 PM	#10
singlecamslam Post Whore! Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Norcal Posts: 2,534 Trader Rating: (10) Feedback Score: 10 reviews	Straight, hit wasnt hard enough to damage it. I'm gonna look at it again and take some pictures of it though. __________________ Nothing says racecar like a stock car with no interior.

07-28-2009, 06:22 PM	#11
racepar1 Post Whore! Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Simi Valley, CA Age: 42 Posts: 9,006 Trader Rating: (106) Rides Gallery: racepar1 Feedback Score: 106 reviews	It sure sounds to me like the steering rack is not centered. Count the turns from center to full lock in either direction. The steering wheel should be in the exact opposite position when it is locked in either direction.

07-28-2009, 06:35 PM	#12
singlecamslam Post Whore! Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Norcal Posts: 2,534 Trader Rating: (10) Feedback Score: 10 reviews	I though it wasnt centered too, but the thing is right now it hits the bump stops from lock to lock perfectly and theres like 2mm clearance from the tie rod shank and the control arm on both sides. I'll take pictures later on to show what i'm talking about. I am going to make sure the rack is centered again though. Also my steering wheel was put on crooked anyways so i dont know where the center is thats why i counted the turns and took half of it. Is there a better way to center it not knowing where the center of the wheel is? __________________ Nothing says racecar like a stock car with no interior.

07-28-2009, 07:42 PM	#13
*FaLKoN240* Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: SoCal Temecula Posts: 16,893 Trader Rating: (73) Feedback Score: 73 reviews	Another thing you should fix is having it threaded out from the joint. The adjuster should always be threaded up to the ball joint and only the tie rod's length should be adjusted for alignment. __________________ Best way to do business with me? Make your best offer FIRST.

07-28-2009, 08:05 PM	#14
singlecamslam Post Whore! Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Norcal Posts: 2,534 Trader Rating: (10) Feedback Score: 10 reviews	SPL instructions say thats how its supposed to be, its preset that way for reasons i dont know. heres the link i followed. SPL Parts __________________ Nothing says racecar like a stock car with no interior.

07-29-2009, 02:24 AM	#16
Forge_55b Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: OC Age: 43 Posts: 414 Trader Rating: (2) Feedback Score: 2 reviews	assuming the tie rods are the same length on both ends (you should measure it just in case?) if you want to at least guess what the center of the rack is I think you can just pop off the tie rod boots and see how much is sticking out? someone please correct me if I am wrong because its been a while since i installed my tie rods.......if the racks centered which I think by now he is pretty sure of it being there or at least close, somethings bent up most likely, what tho? who knows really, could be anything

07-29-2009, 02:53 AM	#17
mad-ass Nissanaholic! Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Nor Cal Posts: 2,273 Trader Rating: (14) Feedback Score: 14 reviews	might be stupid that I ask this.. do you have angle spacer on one side and not on the other? just digging for more possibilities. I know FSM has a bit long section on steering itself. check it out maybe? __________________

07-29-2009, 03:22 AM	#18
mestizo Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Sacramento California Posts: 360 Trader Rating: (8) Feedback Score: 8 reviews	The pics of the tie rod install on SPL site are my pics from my install. Did you just visually center the steering wheel or did u actually center the rack and when I say center the rack I mean actually equal out the racks length from the rack housing on both sides? If the rack is not set at an equal length on both side it would cause the problem you are having. __________________ 92 S13 Coupe Track Car

07-29-2009, 10:26 AM	#19
singlecamslam Post Whore! Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Norcal Posts: 2,534 Trader Rating: (10) Feedback Score: 10 reviews	I cant use the steering wheel to center out because it was crooked from the beginning so i left it alone. Should i have popped off the boots and center it that way? By measuring the length on both side of the housing? I just counted turns when i did it. __________________ Nothing says racecar like a stock car with no interior.

07-29-2009, 12:40 PM	#20
mestizo Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Sacramento California Posts: 360 Trader Rating: (8) Feedback Score: 8 reviews	Yes pull the dust boots off and center it by equaling out the rack on both sides of the housing. Once they are equal your rack is dead center and your tie rods will be almost the same length depending on your alignment specs. __________________ 92 S13 Coupe Track Car

07-31-2009, 03:09 PM	#21
singlecamslam Post Whore! Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Norcal Posts: 2,534 Trader Rating: (10) Feedback Score: 10 reviews	Ok so i went to look at the car today and the rack was centered right on. I took pictures: heres the pictures showing that its centered or close to it.heres some random pics, maybe you guys can spot something wrong? Frame damage? I really dont think the frame is bent. __________________ Nothing says racecar like a stock car with no interior.

07-31-2009, 06:41 PM	#22
mestizo Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Sacramento California Posts: 360 Trader Rating: (8) Feedback Score: 8 reviews	Without a tape measure or a caliper those pics really don't show us that it is centered, but it does appear to be centered. I did notice one thing with you pics, one side of the outer tie rod looks to adjusted longer than the other side, but again it's hard to tell without some form of measuring tool to compare to. __________________ 92 S13 Coupe Track Car

07-31-2009, 07:57 PM	#23
singlecamslam Post Whore! Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Norcal Posts: 2,534 Trader Rating: (10) Feedback Score: 10 reviews	I measured everything before i took those pictures, it was actually off by like 1/8 of an inch, after i adjusted that 1/8 inch i had to thread out the passanger side even more. After that for the hell of it i adjusted the threads to be even on each tie rod, when i did that the tie rod shank would hit the control arm on the passanger side, and driver side was hitting the bump stop too early. Could my rack and pinion be messed up? __________________ Nothing says racecar like a stock car with no interior.

08-01-2009, 04:45 PM	#24
singlecamslam Post Whore! Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Norcal Posts: 2,534 Trader Rating: (10) Feedback Score: 10 reviews	Update, so today i spent a few hours measuring the frame according to the FSM. Everything is right on the money. So its not the frame, and the rack is centered. Any ideas? __________________ Nothing says racecar like a stock car with no interior.

08-01-2009, 10:35 PM	#25
negrosx13 Zilvia Addict Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Houston,tx Posts: 948 Trader Rating: (14) Feedback Score: 14 reviews	idk man..just a random thought but check if the inner tie rods the same lengh..thats seem to be only thing it could be...

08-02-2009, 03:49 PM	#26
singlecamslam Post Whore! Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Norcal Posts: 2,534 Trader Rating: (10) Feedback Score: 10 reviews	yea i measured them too. i know this rack is bad because i got it for free and its hard to turn, the rack wouldnt cause this problem though right? __________________ Nothing says racecar like a stock car with no interior.

08-02-2009, 06:55 PM	#27
mestizo Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Sacramento California Posts: 360 Trader Rating: (8) Feedback Score: 8 reviews	The rack could cause this if the teeth are mangled, but thats not usually the most likely problem. But anything could have happened to that rack before you bought it, so if you have a spare rack pull them out and compare them turn for turn. __________________ 92 S13 Coupe Track Car

08-02-2009, 10:12 PM	#28
negrosx13 Zilvia Addict Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Houston,tx Posts: 948 Trader Rating: (14) Feedback Score: 14 reviews	if you have a spare rack...pop it in there and cross your fingers

08-02-2009, 10:48 PM	#29
singlecamslam Post Whore! Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Norcal Posts: 2,534 Trader Rating: (10) Feedback Score: 10 reviews	Well i dont have a spare one, but someone can sell me one for like 40 bucks. __________________ Nothing says racecar like a stock car with no interior.

08-20-2009, 10:43 PM	#30
singlecamslam Post Whore! Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Norcal Posts: 2,534 Trader Rating: (10) Feedback Score: 10 reviews	So i took off my rack and pinion and my cross member. Rack and pinion really seems messed up because its all jittery when i manually turn it so i'm getting another one. As for the cross member here's some pics, it doesnt look bent to me, but should i get another one in case? I'm low on money. __________________ Nothing says racecar like a stock car with no interior.