Front track rod inner bush replacement

[SteveH]

Hi,

I thought there was a thread about replacement of the inner rubber bushes for the front track rod/tie rod arms. Can't find it so I thought I'd ask the question...can the bushes be replaced/upgraded or do you need to buy new arms?

I seem to remember a delrin option for the bush but can't for the life of me find the thread!

My car had a full four wheel alignment done after I replaced the front subframe bushes and it felt great after. Since the ADI track session the steering wheel has been sitting low to the right. Having had the car on the alignment machine again today it appears that the tracking was out on the nearside wheel. We played around with the adjustment and whilst it's better it feels like the car is wandering when driving straight ahead. Everything is poly or solid on the front end and all other settings remained within spec. It's not been curbed so I have come to the conclusion that it must be the track rods or the rack.

Anyone else had similar problems?

Cheers Steve

[Error404]

The lower ball joint probably slipped in the wishbone during the track session thrown your camber and toe out. You need to get it properly 4 wheel aligned

[SteveH]

The lower ball joint probably slipped in the wishbone during the track session thrown your camber and toe out. You need to get it properly 4 wheel aligned

No, all other settings have been checked and are as per the setup the last time it went on the alignment machine. The only adjustment which has changed is the nearside tracking. With the engine off you can rock the steering and there appears to be no movement in any of the components.

[sidrick]

Bambridge offers a solid inner bush for the front tie-rods

[SteveH]

Bambridge offers a solid inner bush for the front tie-rods

Sweet! I thought Kev might do them but couldn't find a link to a thread with details or pricing.

I will drop him a PM.

[Rusty]

Check the bracket that holds the two steering arms to the rack and the rack bolts.

Also, make sure that all nuts and bolts are done up to factory spec, as I've been caught out before with this, admittedly on the strut to hub bolts

[andyg plym]

How odd I tried looking for these the other day too I can physically see play in mine on the o/s does anyone have a link ?

[Error404]

Here is the thread:

http://www.s2forum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=39772

Its one of those ones that doesn't come up on a search, (Jamo will deny it )
I only found it as I started it!

[K Simmonds]

Fitted a set of Kev's inner tie rod bushes front and rear, simple to install and very good quality, not expensive either. I fitted a pair of his uprated front adjusters whilst I was at it and their a massive improvement on the originals.

Steve, where do you go to get your alignment done? I need to get mine looked at soon and I want to use someone who is familiar with quattro's of this era. Bristol's only an hour from me and there's nowhere close by I'd trust. It's better now I've done it with string and basic toe gauge than it was after National tyres set it up for the previous owner but I'm sure it could be improved upon.

[re2500]

Kit,

Theres Mototec in Pontllanfraith the older guy there knows what he's doing i had him the first time i had an alignment done. But they let a spotty school-fresh kid do mine last time and he nearly killed me when my wishbone fell of the next day (literally) !

I can recommend Orchard motors in Newport (mill parade) they've got a really nifty optical alignment system, and they did a fab job on mine last year. Reasonably priced too.

[SteveH]

I use FCM Alignment in Bristol. Ask for Lee if you go there, he know's his stuff and charges based on the adjustments that need to be made. It will cost £75 max for an S2. They use the same equipment at re2500 has posted above.

http://www.fcmwheelalignment.co.uk/

[K Simmonds]

Cheers chaps, looks like I've got a couple of good options there

Sorry for the Hijack Steve