Finding a rough estimate on tie rod end adjustment after replacing steering rack

[trd_st184]

Hey everyone,
I just finished my project car, an ae92 corolla sedan with a 4age 16v smallport. Part of my project involved removing the whole interior and steering column, as well as swapping the tie rod ends over.

When I did the conversion I had to replace the boots on the steering rack and as a result I removed the tie rod ends and adjustment nut. Problem was I didn't measure out the tie rod end nut position on the rack ends and I have just tried to get the tie rod ends roughly in position.

I am still getting used to the idea of ensuring that the position of the tie rod on the thread, in such a way that I will still get the same turning circle as before, as well as getting the wheels somewhat straight as I need to get the car to a wheel alignment place at some stage.

I don't mind about the steering wheel not being straight at first since I can easily remove it and reinstall it.

I know this sounds strange but could i possibly measure the thread to the retaining nut from a few of the AE92s at the wreckers to get a rough estimate?

[oldcorollas]

wot?

the steering wheel should be centred when the rack is centred.. the tie rod ends adjust the wheels position from there. assuming it was in the middle before, leave steering wheel alone.

as for tie rod ends.. get a bit of wood a bit longer than the cars width, put a nail through one end, and attach coathanger to the other end.
put wood in front of wheels and line up nail with inner or outer of a certain groove, then bend wire to match on other side.
then, without accidentally bending the wire, put the wood behind the wheels and see how far out the same groove is on the back.

to begin with, adjust tierods so the wheels are parallel, ie same width between grooves front and back.

then go for short roll and see if car veers to one side or other... then adjust tierods equally to straighten it up.

this should at least give you roughly zero toe in, and roughly straight ahead driving, in order to get to alignment place


edit: you could use strong on outsides of wheels, to get a rough idea of straight before doing the above..

[jondee86]

When you are doing the above ^^^^ adjustments... after you have the front wheels parallel to each other and pointing straight ahead... do this...



Find a reference point/shoulder on the part marked "2" and measure to the near end of the part marked "1". Do this on both sides of the car. If the measurements are not the same, adjust the longer one "in" and the shorter one "out" by the same number of turns, until both sides measure the same.

Your steering should now be centred with no tendency to pull to one side or the other. If the steering wheel is off-centre, loosen it without turning the column, and put it back in the straight ahead position.

Cheers... jondee86