Steering angle spacers- W T F !?!?! How do they work and why i didn't run them.

[gotta240]

I went to install steering angle spacers today (s14 chassis, z32 rods, spl ends) but i ended up backing out and not using them. With the spacers on i could only get THREE FULL THREADS contact with the steering rack. I can't possibly phathom how this is safe.. Do some of you actually run such minimal thread grab or is there a secret i dont know?


Also, my old shop teacher, a mechanic, and myself couldn't figure out how the hell that spacer helps steering angle. The way we see it, the spacer simply makes you shorten the tie rod the exact same width of the spacer...In the end the length from the rack to the rod end is identical... Can someone explain how that actually increases angle?

[EJ253]

it decreases the length of the pivoting point (balljoint in the inner tierod)
when this pivoting point is closer to the wheel assembly, the angle of the steering wheel in comparison to the wheels themselves becomes exaggerated

you need to turn the steering wheel less for the wheels themselves to move the same amount
so at full lock, the wheels have turned further out

[Dousan_PG]

wow time for anew shop teacher w/ a brain

and secondly
should ge tmore then 3 threads
all mine get a lot of turns
but i use all s14 jazz and s13 stuff
so ....yeah.

[Skullavera]

Oh shit did I misread something?



My mistake.

[S13Leprechaun]

lol... maaaan you dont need these anyway... its not that much diff...

ps. whats up with ur buddy coming for the truck? stilll on? lmk man. free bump!

[Dousan_PG]

Originally Posted by S13Leprechaun

lol... maaaan you dont need these anyway... its not that much diff...

apparently you don't use them
or u have no cool angle

im actually getting some modded spindles shortly
gonna test those puppies out

[D1GP]

Originally Posted by Skullavera

WTF?^^^^^

The spacers correct Bumpsteer. They make your tie rods level to the ground giving you less steering angle change (bumpsteer) while the suspension is being compressed.

Where exactly did you install the spacers? For some reason I think you installed them wrong. They go on the outer tie rod end, not the inner one. This is quoted straight from SPL themselves:

On cars that are lowered significantly, the stock outer tie rod ends can bind and snap or bend the tie rods. Our outer tie rod ends have more articulation angle than stock tie rod ends, and have adjustable spacers to move the outer tie rod end lower to eliminate binding.

Our unique design allows for easy bumpsteer adjustment in 0.3" increments, allowing for up to a +1" shift of the pivot point from the stock location. This offers much greater adjustment than any other aftermarket outer tie rod ends. The bumpsteer spacers are integral to the design and reinforce the shank under bending loads. Spacers are CNC machined from 2024 aircraft aluminum alloy (also known as Super Duralumin), a much stronger (and much more expensive) aluminum than the more common 6061, this expensive alloy is lightweight yet has almost the same tensile strength as steel.

OP is talking about the steering angle spacers not the bumpsteer spacers.

http://www.splparts.com/doc/SPLTieRodEnd/default.htm

Check out this diagram. You need to use the silver ones which you need to purchase separately from SPL Parts for 10 bucks. If you are using the black bumpsteer spacers, then no wonder you aint catching threads for shit. You will also need to get rid of the stock locking plates and use LockTite on the threads. All of which are explained the the link above.

[tt99ol]

hey Aaron let me know how those spindles work out for you because i was thinking about doing the same thing, your just shortening them right?

[EJ253]

Originally Posted by Skullavera

They go on the outer tie rod end, not the inner one.

why does TEIN include the angle spacers when you buy the inner tie rod then?
http://www.frsport.com/Tein_TRS01_N2...14_p_1024.html

not the outter tie rod
http://www.frsport.com/Tein_TRS01_N2...14_p_1025.html


please help me out.
where on this diagram would the angle spacers be? (sorry the pic isnt bigger)


because i was under the impression that theyre inbetween the steering rack and the inner tie rod (located inside the dust boot)

[Skullavera]

Ahh....my mistake. I guess I should be getting to bed and getting some rest!

[D1GP]

Originally Posted by EJ253

why does TEIN include the angle spacers when you buy the inner tie rod then?
http://www.frsport.com/Tein_TRS01_N2...14_p_1024.html

not the outter tie rod
http://www.frsport.com/Tein_TRS01_N2...14_p_1025.html


please help me out.
where on this diagram would the angle spacers be? (sorry the pic isnt bigger)


because i was under the impression that theyre inbetween the steering rack and the inner tie rod (located inside the dust boot)

They are indeed attached to the inner tie rod bro, he just got the shit confused with the bumpsteer spacers which do go on the outter tie rods.

[Skullavera]

Correct Right There ^^^

[D1GP]

Originally Posted by Skullavera

Correct Right There ^^^

appreciate the rep. go get yourself some sleep now .

[EJ253]

glad we got that figured out.


back to the topic at hand.
why your only getting 3 threads.

are the Z32 tie rod's threads shorter than S chassis'?
how long are the angle spacers?

a possible solution might be to shave the spacer down on a grinder until you feel it has a safe amount of threads.

the spacers do help tho, so they are worth the trouble IMO

[S13Leprechaun]

wow just the spacers make that much of a difference huh?? hmmm.. how big are the spacers? are there diff sizes are is it a one size thing?

Originally Posted by Dousan_PG

apparently you don't use them
or u have no cool angle

im actually getting some modded spindles shortly
gonna test those puppies out

[EJ253]

well, you could use a washer if you really wanted. it wouldnt do much of anything tho
anywhere from 0.5cm - 2cm would be a decent sized spacer
altho i'd rather be on the bigger side

[S13Leprechaun]

hmmm.... interesting... how do you install it?? nvm ill just search.. its gotta be here somewhere...

[D1GP]

Originally Posted by S13Leprechaun

hmmm.... interesting... how do you install it?? nvm ill just search.. its gotta be here somewhere...

Dude just check out the link in post 7.

[S13Leprechaun]

good idea i missed that... lol.. geez i need to go to bed... ahhh!

[attracted]

for the guy that wanted to try the modified hub...let me know how it works out cuz down here in montreal we tried it out....you get crazy crazy angle but the steerign becomes so much stiffer and for some reason we lost alot of the feedback on the steering....reminded me a bit when we installed a steering shaft reducer...it was like there was no feedback...pls let me know

[Dousan_PG]

im getting them from a friends shop in japan
they make them
i have to ems the money over and then they send the part
ugh its such a fucking hassle

[s14unimog]

just get the Tein ones, I did, and the inner rod has an extended stud to allow for the space the spacers take up.

And for all the nay sayers, it’s worth it and will be noticeable.

[Shaminii]

Teins have longer studs to allow more threads once the spacer is in. And yes, they are the great.

[ryguy]

Probably a dumb question, but how much of a difference would these make in turning radius? My old hatch could literally turn around in the street just by doing a u turn, didnt even come close to hitting the curb. My S13 now can't even come close to doing that, I have to do a 3 point turn. I always wondered why that was.

[ewuzh]

I didn't have any problems with not having enough threads. I have the Tein inners and outers and love em.

When I'm turning and I think I should be at full lock already...it just keeps on turning!!! lol the extra angle actually saved me from spinning out a few times at the track.

[Wiisass]

Originally Posted by EJ253

well, you could use a washer if you really wanted. it wouldnt do much of anything tho
anywhere from 0.5cm - 2cm would be a decent sized spacer
altho i'd rather be on the bigger side

Please don't say stuff like that. I think the tein spacers are 6mm thick and I wouldn't go much more than that on stock size inner tie rods. 2cm or 20mm would take up pretty much all the threads on the inner tie rod.

Originally Posted by attracted

for the guy that wanted to try the modified hub...let me know how it works out cuz down here in montreal we tried it out....you get crazy crazy angle but the steerign becomes so much stiffer and for some reason we lost alot of the feedback on the steering....reminded me a bit when we installed a steering shaft reducer...it was like there was no feedback...pls let me know

You have to put a little more thought into it than just shortening the steering arm on the spindle. Steering geometry can get complicated and there are other factors that will contribute to how the steering feels. And you have ackerman to consider and all that other fun stuff. But even just shortening the arm is going to increase the steering effort.

Tim