unequal tie rod length - Ford Muscle Forums : Ford Muscle Cars Tech Forum

TomN · 02-04-2013, 03:40 PM

I have a 66 with nearly one inch difference in the tie rod length left vs right. I took the outer tie rod ends off, turned the steering wheel all the way to the left, then counted exactly 4 turns to the right stop, back 2 turns left to center & noticed the mark on the steering shaft is straight up - so I must have the steering box on center. I then positioned each wheel straight ahead, then measured from the center of the hole in the spindle steering arm to the center of the inner tie rod joint & the difference left to right is nearly one inch. This certainly does not seem right to me. Does anyone have any ideas on what could cause this? Are your measurements equal?

cmefly · 02-04-2013, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TomN

I have a 66 with nearly one inch difference in the tie rod length left vs right. I took the outer tie rod ends off, turned the steering wheel all the way to the left, then counted exactly 4 turns to the right stop, back 2 turns left to center & noticed the mark on the steering shaft is straight up - so I must have the steering box on center. I then positioned each wheel straight ahead, then measured from the center of the hole in the spindle steering arm to the center of the inner tie rod joint & the difference left to right is nearly one inch. This certainly does not seem right to me. Does anyone have any ideas on what could cause this? Are your measurements equal?

Your tie rods should be a lot closer then that in length. You need to move one side 1/2" in and the other side 1/2" out to even them up. A couple of things, First have you done the Shelby/Arning drop? If not you should. It will make a huge difference in how your car drives. You will need an Alignment after this and it sounds like you need one anyway. When you do this remove 1/8" of shims from the upper control arm on all 4 bolts. Have your Alignment set up with close to -.5 Camber and +2 degrees of Caster if Manual steering up to +3.5 Caster if power and 1/16" to 1/8" Toe in. No positive Camber on the Alignment. If you are in Washington State I have my own Computerized Alignment machine and can help you out.

TomN · 02-04-2013, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmefly

Your tie rods should be a lot closer then that in length. You need to move one side 1/2" in and the other side 1/2" out to even them up. A couple of things, First have you done the Shelby/Arning drop? If not you should. It will make a huge difference in how your car drives. You will need an Alignment after this and it sounds like you need one anyway. When you do this remove 1/8" of shims from the upper control arm on all 4 bolts. Have your Alignment set up with close to -.5 Camber and +2 degrees of Caster if Manual steering up to +3.5 Caster if power and 1/16" to 1/8" Toe in. No positive Camber on the Alignment. If you are in Washington State I have my own Computerized Alignment machine and can help you out.

I did the drop, when I move each side 1/2" to even them up, the center mark is no longer straight up, & the car pulls to the right. Doesn't the steering gear have to be centered when the wheels are straight? (I'm in Florida)

cmefly · 02-05-2013, 03:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TomN

I did the drop, when I move each side 1/2" to even them up, the center mark is no longer straight up, & the car pulls to the right. Doesn't the steering gear have to be centered when the wheels are straight? (I'm in Florida)

Yes, The gearbox should be centered. Does the car actually pull to the right or is the steering wheel off center to the left when driving and pulls right when it is straight? Has the car been aligned since the drop and if so what are the angles?

TomN · 02-05-2013, 05:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmefly

Yes, The gearbox should be centered. Does the car actually pull to the right or is the steering wheel off center to the left when driving and pulls right when it is straight? Has the car been aligned since the drop and if so what are the angles?

The car actually pulls to the right; camber 0 to -1/2, caster +2, toe 1/16 in

cmefly · 02-05-2013, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TomN

The car actually pulls to the right; camber 0 to -1/2, caster +2, toe 1/16 in

You need to fix the pull first. 3 things can cause this, your car can pull to the side with the most Camber or the least Caster or you have a tire causing the pull. If it pulls right it could be the right front tire causing it. Check your air pressure and cross rotate just the front tires and see if it goes away or now pulls left. Do you have an actual printout of the angles? If you have your camber at -.5 on the left and zero on the right it could drift or pull slightly to the right depending on the road crown.

TomN · 02-05-2013, 05:32 PM

ok, back to the original question; are tie rods unequal length on a 66 Mustang? On mine they are & I see no way around it; if the steering box is centered the wheels are straight ahead, and the distance between spindle arm & inner tie rod connection on the center link is different left vs right. I saw another discussion about the repositioning of the pitman arm on the steering shaft, but I don't see how this is possible because I think they have either 1 or 4 alignment keys. It seems strange to have unequal length tie rods because it would cause different bump steer characteristics left vs right & I don't remember seeing anything about that in the bump steer discussions. The only other thing I can think of is if the center link is not right. Are there any key dimensions I could check or any other way to determine that the right one in in there?

cmefly · 02-05-2013, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TomN

ok, back to the original question; are tie rods unequal length on a 66 Mustang? On mine they are & I see no way around it; if the steering box is centered the wheels are straight ahead, and the distance between spindle arm & inner tie rod connection on the center link is different left vs right. I saw another discussion about the repositioning of the pitman arm on the steering shaft, but I don't see how this is possible because I think they have either 1 or 4 alignment keys. It seems strange to have unequal length tie rods because it would cause different bump steer characteristics left vs right & I don't remember seeing anything about that in the bump steer discussions. The only other thing I can think of is if the center link is not right. Are there any key dimensions I could check or any other way to determine that the right one in in there?

The tie rods are not going to be exact in length. They should be close, and 1" off is more then I would like to see. If your Alignment is off and if it pulls and is not caused by the tire you need to fix that first. If your camber or Caster is off it will greatlly change your toe when it is brought back where it needs to be. It sounds to me you are only concerned with the tie rods so tell me this, With your steering wheel straight and your toe set 1/16" toe in does your steering turn 2 turns left and 2 turns right? If so call it a day you are getting full movement on both side. If both left and right turn the same you will be fine. I hope some of this helps

TomN · 02-05-2013, 06:41 PM

Yes, I have full equal movement left & right. Sounds like the difference in length is no big deal, thanks for the info.

cmefly · 02-06-2013, 03:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TomN

Yes, I have full equal movement left & right. Sounds like the difference in length is no big deal, thanks for the info.

Something you should check is make sure you have the correct spindles. Measure both spindle arm lengths where the tie rods bolt onto. In 1967 Ford went to a longer arm and if you have 1 67 spindle it would give you unequel length tie rods. Otherwise you will be fine.