Turbo Tie Rod Washers, Are they critical? Options

[vesnyder]

I just installed the turbo tie rods and did not install the washer that came with the kit that goes between the tie rod and the steering rack - are these needed?

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/headbang.gif)

That's what I was afraid of!! They were a bitch to tighten and they will be impossible when I install the washer.

[FourBlades]

Well maybe it is only the early 911 struts that are different. I have 69 T struts
and they could not be aligned with the thick washer. I used a thin washer with
the same OD and they aligned fine with a little room to spare. The washer does
act as a stop, without it the end of the tie rod goes into the rack.

Getting the fat end of the rubber boots onto the steering rack is a pain. It is
easiest to grip them with sharp nosed vise grips and use a flat screw driver
to pry them onto the rack. Then twist the part you got on up into the car
and repeat with the other side.

Now that I actually know how to do it, this is probably a 2 hour job at most.

John

PS. I had a hell of a time getting the TTRs off to take off the fat washer. In
the end I used a big pipe wrench on the fat part next to the rack. There is
limited space in the steering well and a normal wrench was not oriented so
I could turn it. It also helps to turn the wheels all the way one way or
the other to get access to the inside of the TTRs next to the rack. You need
to be sure you are turning the TTRs the right way. I looked at the threads
on the old non-turbo ends to make sure I was pipe wrenching the right
direction.