Some assistance if you please.
I believe I have a fat rack which I have modified along with the track rod ends as per the manual but having test fitted the wheels today to check for clearance issues it looks like I'm going to need to cut them down quite a bit more as they look along way out. My question is, are my eyes playing tricks on me or is there a different modification when dealing with the "fat rack"???? I appreciate this is difficult to diagnose without seeing it in the flesh but I guess if someone has a fat rack they will know the score, I removed 5mm off the track rod ends and 5mm off the steering rack ends.
Cheers Si
Steering Rack
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Si Richards
- Posts: 73
- Joined: Sat Aug 10, 2013 7:58 pm
Steering Rack
Visit my Westfield XI build site: http://www.dogs-agility.com/westy_11_page.htm
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Westfield 129
- Posts: 882
- Joined: Sat Jun 04, 2011 4:20 am
Re: Steering Rack
You are right. They look like they are still too long and they very well may be.
However, delay cutting the arm further until you have the chassis on the ground and ready for suspension setup: ride height, corner weights and front end alignment.
At the moment the wheels are likely in full droop, CAMBER is not adjusted, and this will cause quite a bit of toe out until you get the thing on the ground. The toe is not accurate, and wont be until the front end is set up, and you cut the tie rods to fit.
My own experience is that another .25" will have to be cut, but don't do it until you have the thing on the ground. You can take accurate measurements when you check the front end alignment: Ride height, Camber and then toe. Cut the tie rods LAST.
Also, you will have to cut the tie rod ends as well. There is a happy medium in the measurement. You need to have the threads not bottom out in the rod end, and the rod end not run to the end of the threads on the tie rod...
All best to be worked out once you have the car ready to set the alignment, after ride height, CAMBER and corner weight is corrected.
BTW, EVERY W11 I have worked on (7 so far) save two (my own) needed to have the arms cut as the car was set up with about .75" of toe out! Nobody really bothered to cut down the rod ends to set the toe properly. Evidently, the ride height and camber are confusing, and everyone thinks that the measurement that is listed in the manuai is correct. It isn't. Just take care of this little bit LAST.
However, delay cutting the arm further until you have the chassis on the ground and ready for suspension setup: ride height, corner weights and front end alignment.
At the moment the wheels are likely in full droop, CAMBER is not adjusted, and this will cause quite a bit of toe out until you get the thing on the ground. The toe is not accurate, and wont be until the front end is set up, and you cut the tie rods to fit.
My own experience is that another .25" will have to be cut, but don't do it until you have the thing on the ground. You can take accurate measurements when you check the front end alignment: Ride height, Camber and then toe. Cut the tie rods LAST.
Also, you will have to cut the tie rod ends as well. There is a happy medium in the measurement. You need to have the threads not bottom out in the rod end, and the rod end not run to the end of the threads on the tie rod...
All best to be worked out once you have the car ready to set the alignment, after ride height, CAMBER and corner weight is corrected.
BTW, EVERY W11 I have worked on (7 so far) save two (my own) needed to have the arms cut as the car was set up with about .75" of toe out! Nobody really bothered to cut down the rod ends to set the toe properly. Evidently, the ride height and camber are confusing, and everyone thinks that the measurement that is listed in the manuai is correct. It isn't. Just take care of this little bit LAST.
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Si Richards
- Posts: 73
- Joined: Sat Aug 10, 2013 7:58 pm
Re: Steering Rack
Westfield 129, Thanks for the advice I have to say I tend to use the manual as a guide rather than the gospel but I guessed that someone would have been down this road before and have an idea of the best way forward.
Cheers Si
Cheers Si
Visit my Westfield XI build site: http://www.dogs-agility.com/westy_11_page.htm
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Westfield 129
- Posts: 882
- Joined: Sat Jun 04, 2011 4:20 am
Re: Steering Rack
I made the mistakes first, so you wouldn't have to. Enjoy your build.