91 q45 weird steering issue.

[rasrx7]

my car is extremely lowered which may be a count to the fact, but the cars steering seems to be going out. lotta play from left to right when going straight and the steering alignment changes on the fly. I lifted the car up and check the normal bushing and joints, but everything seems to be tight. I thought maybe the lower ball joint or the tension rods had busted, but it was all fine. Is this a common issue in the steering and whats the best fix? I have had steering racks go bad before on other cars, but this feels like tension rod or joint issue, but i cant find ne thing wrong. any help would be appreciated or a point in the right direction. Thanks

[maxnix]

Try searching for a post by Q45tech on lowering changing the suspesion geometry. I thought it had to do more with camber angle changes, but I think he did mention the need for different (longer?) tie rods.
Modified by maxnix at 3:19 PM 9/19/2006

[Q45tech]

Steering rack mounting bushings fail and the rack assembly slides back and forth.

To regain perfection you must lower the tie rod end via spacers or longer units equal to the amount you lowered the body to return the toe bump steer angle to correctness.

The rack being attached to body is now lower than the tie rod end.....tie rod arm upslopes.

[rasrx7]

ahh ic..kool.. i have to get under it and see how i can resolve that...is there ne where on the forum you can post the link on how to do all that? thanks again...

[elwesso]

ahh ic..kool.. i have to get under it and see how i can resolve that...is there ne where on the forum you can post the link on how to do all that? thanks again...

check your rack bushings first and replace htem. Theyre not real hard to replace and are cheap to buy...

Dont do the adjustble tie rods until you exhaust the other problems. Dont confuse rack bushings with bump steer.

[rasrx7]

will do..thanks

can driving around like this be dangerous?

[maxnix]

can driving around like this be dangerous?

Only if it breaks or if you otherwise lose control.

[Raxephon]

Steering rack mounting bushings fail and the rack assembly slides back and forth.

To regain perfection you must lower the tie rod end via spacers or longer units equal to the amount you lowered the body to return the toe bump steer angle to correctness.

The rack being attached to body is now lower than the tie rod end.....tie rod arm upslopes.

Sorry to dig up an old thread but.....

Does that mean that if the car was lowered 2" then the tie rod end must be lowered 2" to match?

Or is there some set ratio?

[elwesso]

Sorry to dig up an old thread but.....

Does that mean that if the car was lowered 2" then the tie rod end must be lowered 2" to match?

Or is there some set ratio?

no... ive been driving with the stock tie rod lengths for years and its been fine. More applicable on cars that are SLAMMED...

[Raxephon]

no... ive been driving with the stock tie rod lengths for years and its been fine. More applicable on cars that are SLAMMED...

The '92 has a bad shimmy between 40-60 mph and especially when cornering in that range.

Doing the rack bushings next week but I was concerned that it might be from something other than worn insulators.

EDITED: Not looking for help just yet, just looking at possibilities. Will start a thread when I solve it or get stumped.
Modified by anlasak at 11:22 PM 10/14/2006

[elwesso]

start a new thread on this.