27 replies to this topic

[Yoshii]

Ive bought a jack and axle stands, im hoping to borrow a torque wrench.

Worst comes to worst ill have to buy one, hopefully not as i haven't got too much money.

 

 part 1.jpg   58.43K   11 downloads

 

 part 2.jpg   72.89K   14 downloads

 

Right, just thought id upload these as i was sorting out another problem with my car and noticed this.

i reversed and pulled up and the wheel were like they were in picture one, then i turned the steering wheel to the middle and picture 2 is the result..

Is this a symptom of the tracking and tie rod problem and will sorting that out sort this out? Or is this another problem?

 

 

 

 

[Yoda]

Ok, it looks like you have a couple of minor issues here causing your problems,

 

The bent tie rods will affect two things that you need to be concerned with and that is caster and tracking. It appears that you have a low set up and this will affect camber and tracking and it looks like the tracking has not been adjusted to suit this. also you say that the car pulls to the right. this may mean that one tie bar is more bent than the other and this will affect caster and centre. 

 

My suggestion here would be to first install new tie bars, then get the steering centred and finally get the tracking done.

 

To centre the steering rack, lift the carpet in the passenger footwell and you should find a rubber grommet on the toeboard. pull this out and you should see a plastic cap that you can unscrew to reveal the inner shaft of the steering rack. move the steering left and right slowly and you should find a hole that a small pin punch or drill bit will drop into. once this is found and centred in the plug hole, if the steering wheel is not in the correct place then remove and rotate it until it is and refit. Now you know the rack is centred. 

 

Unless you have the correct tracking equipment, the next stage is to go to a garage and have the tracking done. If the garage do it and the steering wheel is not centred, make them do it again until it is.

 

all this should get your steering good to go and will hopefully solve your issues, If the steering is still pulling one way, suspect binding front brakes or a bent rear radius arm.

 

Hope this helps.

 

I am sure someone will add their comment here too.

Edited by Yoda, 11 August 2013 - 05:51 AM.

[Yoshii]

Thanks for that, I'll wait till I get the tie rods fitter then sort this

[Yoshii]

If you dont know how to set Caster, use the standard rods, not adjustable ones or you will find things will be worse. You will need to buy two.

 

 

http://www.minispare...92.aspx|Back to

 

 

http://www.minispare...ic/21A1092.aspx is that correct?

 

I tried to take yodas advice and get the non adjustable ones, I called up mini spares they don't have them in nor is there any due in. So he advised me to get the ones I initially looked at, I told him id call him back.

 

With these adjustable ones if i fit them and don't adjust them, will they be okay? Most websites seem to stock only adjustable ones

My plan is to fit these, sort the steering then get the tracking done 

Does anyone have any advice? 

[Yoda]

All I can suggest to start with is to remove the straightest one you have at the moment and get it as straight as possible. Then match the length to the new ones and fit them and hope they are both EXACTLY the same. Then get the centred rack and tracking done and see how it feels. 

[Yoshii]

Thanks Yoda, think i might have found something though!

 

http://www.ebay.co.u...=item3a839ed978

 

Thats what I need right?

Sorry if I dont know much, Im trying to learn as much as i can 

Edited by Yoshii, 12 August 2013 - 03:09 PM.

[A-Cell]

Standard tie rod length 365mm from centre line of hole (attachment to bottom arm) and inside face of welded on washer that the bushes fit against.
Make sure you fit the correct 5/16 bolt and the cup and heavy duty washers.

All the parts you need are in this kit from Minispares http://www.minispare...ic/21A1092.aspx

Get car to garage and ask them to check caster angles and front wheel alignment.
3 to 3.5 degrees caster and 1/16 to 1/8 toe out.

[A-Cell]

Thanks Yoda, think i might have found something though!
 
http://www.ebay.co.u...=item3a839ed978
 
Thats what I need right?
Sorry if I dont know much, Im trying to learn as much as i can 

Don't be sorry.
The adjustable ones fromMinispares are much stronger than the standard ones so you won't have the problem again. And they are 10p cheaper. Plus Minispares quality is usually better. Don't mess around with safety critical components. Mini spares are good.

Edited by A-Cell, 12 August 2013 - 03:16 PM.

[Yoshii]

Standard tie rod length 365mm from centre line of hole (attachment to bottom arm) and inside face of welded on washer that the bushes fit against.
Make sure you fit the correct 5/16 bolt and the cup and heavy duty washers.

All the parts you need are in this kit from Minispares http://www.minispare...ic/21A1092.aspx

Get car to garage and ask them to check caster angles and front wheel alignment.
3 to 3.5 degrees caster and 1/16 to 1/8 toe out.

 

I assume the place that I am planning on taking my car to for tracking will know all about the caster and toe out?

[A-Cell]

If not don't go there. This is basic stuff for the Automotive trade.
The one I use is Stratford Tyres, they use a laser alignment rig, Jim is first rate. Not that far from you really.
http://www.stratford...o.uk/laser.html

[Yoshii]

Ive emailed them now, they should get back to me today or tomorrow.

The place I am looking to use is http://www.chemix-autocentres.co.uk/

[A-Cell]

Looking at the website should be good, they have the right equipment. Hunter laser alignment. Depends how good there operator is!
http://www.chemix-au...co.uk/alignment

Good luck

[Yoshii]

Hopefully he is amazing.

I just want  my mini sorted and on the road for me to enjoy :)