3rd gen F body, tie rod lengths and bump steer.

Eman · 04-03-2016, 04:06 PM

With my steering box centered lock to lock and the frt. end aligned my right total tie rod length is longer than the left. Is this normal on an F body? will this effect bump steer?

tj310 · 04-06-2016, 03:39 PM

Not normal, will contribute to bumpsteer.
Equal tie rods are more important than a centred steering wheel. ---Trevor

henrys57wagon · 04-06-2016, 04:06 PM

Could you remove the outer tierod ends from the spindle and screw in the longer one and unscrew the shorter one? Or am I missing something???

Dragsinger · 04-06-2016, 04:25 PM

the above post is correct, shorten the long side and lengthen the short side until they are equal. Doing so will not change steering box center position.

Also, minimum bump steer will require the outer tie rods be spaced down, the market hold several kits to do this.

Rich Aman · 04-06-2016, 08:27 PM

Call Pete Z @ ATE racecars 315-483-6412.
He set us up and solved all our 3rd gen bump steer issues and definitely knows what to do. I don't need to hold the steering wheel to go down the track.

Eman · 04-07-2016, 06:45 PM

I've got a Quay bump steer kit and a stabilizer. When I had a death wobble I bought all new steering components. Upon install I centered the steering box instead of equalizing the tie rods. Basically I created a new problem. If I set the steering linkage so the tie rods equal out it will take the steering box off of center but I'm guessing this is not as big a deal as I thought.
I'm looking at centering the drag link so the tie rod ends are equal distance from the lower control arm bolts. from measurements I've taken this will even out the tie rod lengths. I'll then have to square the frt. and set toe.
These cars have so much travel and so much toe change thru the travel. Anyone have specs on what they set their frt toe at? I believe I'm at 0 with the frt. raised 2". I'll have to find my notes and recheck. Ever since the stabilizer and bump steer kit I've not had any issues but I definitely have to straighten this out.

04-03-2016, 04:06 PM	#1
Eman Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: E TN Posts: 442 Likes: 14 Liked 105 Times in 60 Posts	3rd gen F body, tie rod lengths and bump steer. With my steering box centered lock to lock and the frt. end aligned my right total tie rod length is longer than the left. Is this normal on an F body? will this effect bump steer?

04-06-2016, 03:39 PM	#2
tj310 Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Dresden On. Canada Posts: 460 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: 3rd gen F body, tie rod lengths and bump steer. Not normal, will contribute to bumpsteer. Equal tie rods are more important than a centred steering wheel. ---Trevor

04-06-2016, 04:06 PM	#3
henrys57wagon Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Carleton Place, On. Canada Posts: 107 Likes: 5 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: 3rd gen F body, tie rod lengths and bump steer. Could you remove the outer tierod ends from the spindle and screw in the longer one and unscrew the shorter one? Or am I missing something??? __________________ old 1608 stock racer

04-06-2016, 04:25 PM	#4
Dragsinger VIP Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Liberty City [East Texas] Posts: 1,759 Likes: 5 Liked 99 Times in 60 Posts	Re: 3rd gen F body, tie rod lengths and bump steer. the above post is correct, shorten the long side and lengthen the short side until they are equal. Doing so will not change steering box center position. Also, minimum bump steer will require the outer tie rods be spaced down, the market hold several kits to do this. __________________ Larry Woodfin 471W

04-06-2016, 08:27 PM	#5
Rich Aman Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Cedar Run, NJ Posts: 38 Likes: 795 Liked 10 Times in 3 Posts	Re: 3rd gen F body, tie rod lengths and bump steer. Call Pete Z @ ATE racecars 315-483-6412. He set us up and solved all our 3rd gen bump steer issues and definitely knows what to do. I don't need to hold the steering wheel to go down the track. __________________ Rich Aman 1631 STK Last edited by Rich Aman; 04-14-2016 at 04:25 PM. Reason: correct wrong number sorry Pete!

04-07-2016, 06:45 PM	#6
Eman Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: E TN Posts: 442 Likes: 14 Liked 105 Times in 60 Posts	Re: 3rd gen F body, tie rod lengths and bump steer. I've got a Quay bump steer kit and a stabilizer. When I had a death wobble I bought all new steering components. Upon install I centered the steering box instead of equalizing the tie rods. Basically I created a new problem. If I set the steering linkage so the tie rods equal out it will take the steering box off of center but I'm guessing this is not as big a deal as I thought. I'm looking at centering the drag link so the tie rod ends are equal distance from the lower control arm bolts. from measurements I've taken this will even out the tie rod lengths. I'll then have to square the frt. and set toe. These cars have so much travel and so much toe change thru the travel. Anyone have specs on what they set their frt toe at? I believe I'm at 0 with the frt. raised 2". I'll have to find my notes and recheck. Ever since the stabilizer and bump steer kit I've not had any issues but I definitely have to straighten this out.