Tierod spacer question

[NJs13_1993]

When installing a bolt on spacer on one side and a slip on on the other is the only time the rack needs to be centered right? And when centering the rack do you have to take the steering shaft off it can you just center it by removing the steering wheel and recentering it there?

Or do you guys recommend one slip on spacer on each side instead of the bolt on and slip on?

Thanks for the help

[Q.Smooth127]

Why the hell are you using 2 different types of spacers on each side (and prolly are differnt size too)
That just means your car is out if alignment. Go get an alignment after any suspension work... Especially if you put new tierods on.

[jamg]

it doesn't necessarily need to be centered. it will be fixed after an alignment. i actually had to cut some thread off my tie rods because after spacing them, it was too long.

i used slip on washers for mine. use locktite when you screw on your inner tie rods.

they sell screw on spacers, but a little piece of metal isn't worth $40 to me.

[derass]

The bolt on adapters come with a slip on spacer incase you can get away with more rack travel (frame/tension rod clearance, no over-centering)

The rack will need to be recentered regardless of what you do. You can simply remove the steering wheel after following this procedure: http://www.nicoclub.com/FSM/240sx/91-94/ST.pdf

Edit: You cannot use the measurements given in the FSM as you will be changing the length of the rack. You can turn to full lock, measure how much rack is protruding, divide that distance and that is your center position.

[NJs13_1993]

Originally Posted by Q.Smooth127

Why the hell are you using 2 different types of spacers on each side (and prolly are differnt size too)
That just means your car is out if alignment. Go get an alignment after any suspension work... Especially if you put new tierods on.

You've never heard of bolt on tierod spacers?


Anyway thanks for the help guys. I ordered my pbm spacers so we'll see how it goes

[thefro526]

Originally Posted by Q.Smooth127

Why the hell are you using 2 different types of spacers on each side (and prolly are differnt size too)
That just means your car is out if alignment. Go get an alignment after any suspension work... Especially if you put new tierods on.

Originally Posted by NJs13_1993

You've never heard of bolt on tierod spacers?


Anyway thanks for the help guys. I ordered my pbm spacers so we'll see how it goes

IMO, slip on spacers are the way to go unless you need to simulate moving your rack forward, at which point you'd end up running two bolt ons anyway. Most of the bolt on/slip on combinations I've seen put you somewhere between a slip on and knuckles in terms of angle, but add additional steering travel from lock to lock.

If you get to the point where running a slip on spacer on both tie rods isn't giving you enough angle, you're probably better off getting knuckles than a bolt on spacer.

Also, if you do it right, installing slip on spacers is cake if you're alignment is decent. Measure the overall length of the tie rod assembly prior to adding the spacer, then shorten the assembly by the lenth of the spacer, in your case, PBM's are 7mm which is a touch more than 1/4" - about 9/32" if you have a machinists ruler or scale.