Non-OEM Turbo Tie rod, warning!!! Options

[MarkG]

Only 'cheap' thing I used was the non-OEM cheaper turbo tie rod assemblies;

towed car to shop yesterday, they just called- boots are split already AND they cannot be adjusted!! (the rod part will not rotate......like the ball socket end at the rack is non-moveable).....

False economy - I will probably end up buying $189 OEM assemblies AND paying twice for the allgnment job!

[TravisNeff]

I made that mistake as well. However I didn't have the binding problem you describe. The boots cracked at the accordian boot, and after a 2nd alignment the boots on the rod ends cracked as well. Lastly the tie rod end only has a nylock nut rather than the castellated jobbie. At some point I will have to replace the accordian boots and use some Lemforder (sp?) ends. Live, learn and purchase again...

[bondo]

I bought a 911 front end that already had turbo tie rods installed. Is there a sure-fire way to tell if I have the good or bad kind? One boot has a small hole, but it looks like it's from rubbing on something.

[xsboost90]

this is the kind of great news i always love to hear. Mine hasnt even hit the road and the rack accordians are kinda crappy like they dont accordian they just bent towards the middle, think i got them to sit correct now but eventually ill have to get the good ones. (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/flipa.gif)

[Dr Evil]

Guilty! I bought the cheap set, too. To tell if yours are the crappy ones, check to see if it has a nylock (crappy) nut on the end, vs a castellated nut. Mine disintegrated in about 3 months. The rubber on the ends erroded, and the wrack boots split. Absoleute crap. I didn't experience the siezing so I ended up just buying new wrack boots and tirod ends.

I hope it works out (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/rolleyes.gif)

[bondo]

This castellated nut? Or is there another where it adjusts (covered by the boot in this pic)?

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads/post-2-1098417210.jpg)

[MarkG]

Mine have zero miles and the accordian boots are ripped already....shop is now charging by the hour (as oppossed to the $200 flat rate for the alighnment) to figure out why they arn't adjustable, and they are getting new boots as I type.

Gonna be a $500+ alignment so far...........

[TravisNeff]

That's a castellated nut, you got the gud ones. Castellated nuts have the grooves cut in the nut so you can put a cotter pin in, as well as a hole drilled in the bolt

[BMartin914]

$200 flat rate for the alignment? (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/ohmy.gif) Where did you take that thing? If you aren't setting up for autox do you need a full 4-wheel? I had the Tire Source up in Boulder do a 2 wheel alignment for less that $50 and they know Porsche.

[TravisNeff]

I am told the front alignment is academic, very easy. The rears is tough to get in spec, then alignment shims and whatnot. I think I paid 150 for a 4 wheel alignment, and a few bucks for some used shims. That price also included ride height adjustment, well that was what I was initially quoted for, I had it where I wanted it when I brought it in and looked the same when I got it back.

[MarkG]

Down here in Gooberville (Colorado Springs) all local Porsche shops had same recomendation: Concours Cars.....same folks who did my Ferrari work.

Very good but Very expensive.....

[TravisNeff]

I lived in the springs for about a year or so, and loved it! Got into so much trouble it was just a good idea to leave state, haHA! Meadow Muffins on a friday night was always entertaining.

[BMartin914]

QUOTE

Down here in Gooberville (Colorado Springs)

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/laugh.gif) (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/laugh.gif) (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/laugh.gif)
I grew up down there Mark, and ran away as soon as I could!

[MarkG]

UPDATE!!! Just got off of phone with shop, problem is the tie rod end will not screw onto the tie rod far enough....it bottoms out too soon, leaving a 1/2" toe out.

He called Porsche, they measured some they had in stock, mine and the OEM ones all have same demensions......

so.......they are going to run a tap down the rod end to see if that helps, only other option is to cut 1/4" off of the rods.....

Any suggestions/ideas????????

[MarkG]

QUOTE (Travis Neff @ May 13 2005, 11:38 AM)

I lived in the springs for about a year or so, and loved it! Got into so much trouble it was just a good idea to leave state, haHA! Meadow Muffins on a friday night was always entertaining.

The shop is across Colorado Ave from Meadow Muffins, went there last night after dropping off the car and had a few too many beers!!!!!

[Dr Evil]

QUOTE

problem is the tie rod end will not screw onto the tie rod far enough....it bottoms out too soon, leaving a 1/2" toe out.

This makes no sense to me. If your rods will not screw on enough (making the rod shorter), then you would have toe in. Longer rods = toe in, shorter = toe out. Did you install the spacers that come with the kit? Did they come with the kit? You are supposed to use the spacers provided between the rod and the steering shaft.

[bondo]

Could somebody have bent your spindle arm thingie to clear wider wheels?

[restore2seater]

QUOTE (Dr Evil @ May 13 2005, 12:16 PM)

QUOTE problem is the tie rod end will not screw onto the tie rod far enough....it bottoms out too soon, leaving a 1/2" toe out. This makes no sense to me. If your rods will not screw on enough (making the rod shorter), then you would have toe in. Longer rods = toe in, shorter = toe out. Did you install the spacers that come with the kit? Did they come with the kit? You are supposed to use the spacers provided between the rod and the steering shaft.

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/agree.gif) Toe in not toe out.

[Borderline]

I know, I know but I gotta ask...did they center the rack? Is there any available adjustment from the other side?

[Mueller]

QUOTE (BMartin914 @ May 13 2005, 12:06 PM)

$200 flat rate for the alignment? (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/ohmy.gif) Where did you take that thing? If you aren't setting up for autox do you need a full 4-wheel? I had the Tire Source up in Boulder do a 2 wheel alignment for less that $50 and they know Porsche.

evidently not well enough (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/wacko.gif) (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/smile.gif)

it does not matter if it's a Porsche or a Saturn, if all 4 wheels have adjustments, then all 4 "should" be adjusted and or checked....that's like draining only half the oil in your motor during an oil change..........