wheel alignment

30csl

30csl

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Having put a new manual steering box in my car along with new everything the wheels could not be aligned. The right wheel tie rod was out of adjustment with all threads covered. I made sure to have the wheel aligned with the box centre when I installed it. At the alignment place they wanted to take the wheel off and centre it that way but surely then the box won't be at centre? Any advice? Should I shorten that tie rod?

Thanks

Rohan
 
Anyone have any advice against shortening a track rod? I was thinking of cutting a bit off each end of the central female part?
 
I just finished a conversion. Toe was only off by 1/16" when done.
Check to see if you are 2 complete turns in each direction from center wheel position.
Is it possible to install a centre link backwards?
 
Yeah i checked turns lock to lock and am ok there. I will check the centre link and see if its the right way round but am pretty sure i put it in as the old one came out. Rather frustrating after quite a lot of work! Glad yours was easy.
 
IIRC the center rod (which I just replaced for the second time about a month ago) LOOKS like it would go either way, but if you actually fit it up you discover it will not. IIRC if wrong it runs into the oil pan (?).

If the tie rod is new I would verify that you got the correct part there. Ditto the center.
 
Well guys - you are a great help! I went out and sat there staring at the steering on a lift. Then even though i know i installed the box with the marking correct that signals the centre of the box i checked the steering. Lock to lock was less than 2 turns one way and more than 2 the other so i centralised it this way and now it looks like i will have plenty of adjustment to play with. Will let you know when i take it back to the shop.

Thanks,

Rohan
 
Back when I did heavy collision work the problem your describing meant one of 3 things. The sector shaft in the steering box was twisted, the pitman arm was bent or the mounting points for the steering box had moved which was a problem more likely found on frame cars. Being that the car was able to be aligned before I would suspect the box or pitman arm. I’m not wishing any of this on you, just making you aware that they could be possibilities particularly if it’s a used box that may have come out of a wrecked car. ~ John Buchtenkirch
 
Hey John, the box was new, the Arm looked ok. It seems that perhaps the subframe is a little less than factory specs!

Alternatively the marking is wrong on a new box?
 
Did you change a control arm to a Bav unit? Any changes beside the box? Any late Bav parts installed? If not- read on...

Disco the pitman arm from the center link, count the threads on the tie rods to make them even and set the wheels dead ahead- use a tape measurer in front and back of the tires.
You now have the box out of the equation. If you need a base thread count- let me know.
Try connecting the box now. Let us know how it goes.
 
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