Front tie rod bushes

[GT500]

I have just found the annoying little knock on my front end! Been doing my head in for while!
The bushes at the rack end are moving around and are slack/perished.
I have ordered a new pair of track rods but they are on back order...
I got to thinking why is there a rubber bush between the steering wheel and the strut? How rubbish!
I am going to try get some spherical bearings to replace the stock bush. Got to help with the feedback!

[goodall]

http://www.034motorsport.com/product_info.php?cPath=25_66_67&products_id=959

my understanding for the rubber bush is because the rack solid mounted the car, and its a luxury car so noise/knock transmission isnt nice

im never sure how nice a sphere would be on a road car, if was a poly option id buy it, persoanlly

[S2central.net]

@GT - go for it... that should be a nice upgrade... I'd buy more 'feel' versus less 'comfort' on this one.

[stiglet]

I have the 034 Spericals on my tie rods and I didn't notice any increase in vibration. I think that rubber thing in the column soaks most of the nasty stuff.

On a related note, I think the rubber bit in the column is there for safety? So in a head on collision the column breaks instead of stabbing you? Is a pretty major safety recquirement in any modern car. Most just have an offset column though....

[GT500]

I have the 034 Spericals on my tie rods and I didn't notice any increase in vibration. I think that rubber thing in the column soaks most of the nasty stuff.

On a related note, I think the rubber bit in the column is there for safety? So in a head on collision the column breaks instead of stabbing you? Is a pretty major safety recquirement in any modern car. Most just have an offset column though....

No not on about the column, its a figure of speach thing... any rubber from the wheel in your hand to the strut in my mind is bobins. The safety part of the column has that step in it to stop the spearing of the chest...

I've looked at the 034 ones, I bet they are nearly on full twist to gain the alignment. I will sus out fitting the bearing to where the rubber bush sits so, the bearing is straight and not twisted.

[A80Avant]

Rob,i believe it is the inner part of the tie rod that has gone,right?

let us know! i may be interested as well.

i got my tie rods replaced when i first bought the car,and havent changed them since(i bet they are not so easily damaged) but an upgrade is always welcome.

can you explain what you are thinking of making that would be different from the 034 ones?

[GT500]

The originals are angled at the inner part where the rubber bush is, the angle is there to let the bush sit straight. I should be able to get a small spherical bearing to press into the original housing. 034 have just made straight tie rods with usual rose joints. The angle needed is then done by the joint so its on or near its maximum twist, not a good way of echieving the angle needed.
Like these:
bearing.doc

[Error404]

If it works Rob, I'd be interested in some more info (or a pair of bearings )

[A80Avant]

indeed,im interested as well Rob. Let us know!

[GT500]

Here's my prototype:
17032009221.jpg

There are a couple of ways of doing this, will have more info tomorrow!

[S2central.net]

Rob - I think I like it... Look forward to more info - such as the 'how' and 'how much'

What do the suspension gurus think of this approach vs whats available from 034 ?

This place is great BTW !

[Acidburn]

If it works Rob, I'd be interested in some more info (or a pair of bearings )

[GT500]

Paul,
Have a look at the 034 tie rods, they have to use "hi missalignment" rod ends due to the factory angle being quite high. That then has the rod end near or on its limit of movement.
My way has the new joint sat straight.
Added bonus and why I'm sorting these is you can simply push out the rubbish rubber bush and install these to your existing rods, makes it alot cheaper and easier!

[LHD_Kid]

Hey Rob,
I wish you did this a couple of weeks ago..... I have all the bits I need to fix my suspension and steering , booked in for alignment on 30th March....
I never thought about getting these sorted too, I have the original crappy bushes in there.....
Chris

[S2central.net]

OK - are these bearings easily sourced ?

Anything special about removing the old rubbery thing and fitting the new solid bearing ?

Interested to hear about any noticeable differences to steering 'feel' with this - all the signs are that it should be a positive improvement....