importance of tie rods position corvette c5 suspension???

[georgemanolov]

I would like to ask if it is acceptable to have the tie rods (inner outer) "bent" toward the front about 2 or less inches away from the rack "line". I am putting a corvette c5 suspension in a fiero and the fiero rack is not in straight line with the corvette spindles.... so i am wondering if i can have the tie rods moved a little. I will make sure that the rack and tie rods are the right hight with the mounting points with the spindle for sure....
Thank you for your help!!

 

[GregLocock]

Yes, you can 'bend' the tie rods. But the new tie rods need to be very carefully designed so that they are still stiff and strong enough. 2 inches is an awful lot. You may also run into trouble with it tending to rotate due to the unbaanced weight.


The most I've seen is about 8 mm, or 5/16".




Cheers

Greg Locock


New here? Try reading these, they might help FAQ731-376

http://eng-tips.com/market.cfm?

 

[LionelHutz]

You mean just angle them, not actually bend them? From what I've seen looking in the ends of a typical rack, I'd have to think the rack isn't designed to support much if any angle loading, just loading in line with it's body.

Having just been under my C5 to replace the rack, I will also say that your present rack position appears too high compared to a C5.

Did you also check that the inner tie rods are in the same position. It's not as simple as just putting the parts "in line" with each other. The length of the rack needs to be the same too.

Since you are fabricating anyways, why not just put the C5 rack in the right position and then make a new steering linkage? It appears you have lots of space for the proper rack location.

 

[georgemanolov]

Thank you for your help! I kind of knew it is not right but i thought i might get away with it. I will definitely upgrade the rack now that i know that the fiero rack most likely is not designed for angle loading and will give it a try to put it where it should be. thank you LionelHutz for the help. once i am done with the upper a-arms in place and get to the positioning of the rack i will make sure the inner tie rods are equal length. it is stupid of me to mess up my car and find out the hard way i will fix it now while nothing is welded. here is a pix of the car