I am currently setting up the toe in/out and camber, both of them to neutral in the first place. I have centred the steering rack by counting the steering wheel revolutions and then centering the steering wheel to 1/2 the ammount. My chassis is as the book and with a Mk2 Escort rack. On the offside the track rod only screws into the track rod end by 1/2", the other side substantially more to get neutral toe in/out. The rack is fitted properly and central as far as I can remember. Is 1/2" to little and, if so, what can I do to remedy it.

I set all my suspension up with a bit of string and spirit level, I'll try and find a picture, seems close enough so far!!

Cheers

Rich



OK first pictures shows the center point of the wood in line with the center of the chassis, now measure outwood from that center point more than the outermost point of your wheel on each side and put a nail in and attach a small length of string with a loop in the other end, do this front and rear and then get a bungee cord thingy and joint the front and rear bits of wood together and put the center point on the wood with the center of your chassis front and rear.

Now measure from the string to the outer edge of the tyre on both sides of the wheel and adjust to get equal, used the spirit level to get them plumb, later did use a proper camber board to fine tune. But this method will ensure your wheels at least all point straightish.

Cheers

Rich

[Edited on 9/3/09 by RichardK]

Ime OK with the process of setting it up thanks as I made up my own jigs. Its the problem with the track rod end that was of concern to me

sounds like the rack isnt central (ie over to one side)

Mmmm, I wouldn't be happy with just 1/2" of thread in the tre, I would set up the uprights etc using the above method and then recenter the rack.

Just my opinion of course, but because you raised the question you must have concerns too and possibly would be thinking about that 1/2" on every turn!!.

You got any pictures of the rack and front end may help us see what your concern is??

Cheers, not a big job so don't worry


[Edited on 27/12/08 by RichardK]

I would start by screwing the track rod ends an equal amount on to the track rods . Set the tracking by adjusting each track rod end an equal amount and then align the steering wheel . If the wheel will not align disconnect the steering column and realign.

how tall are you richard?

did you measure the rack and then put the centre of the rack centre of the car..

if you did i think this is wrong....

i think the steering arms are offset...

I made the steering rack mounts exactly to the book (first issue) and the rack is then located by the brackets that are permanantly fitted to it. If I adjust the track rods so that there is roughly equal amounts of thread within the track rods, set the toe in/out and then align the steering wheel on the column, would that suffice? All I may get is slightly less lock on one side to the other. Logical or not?

By the way, RichardK, is your chassis home made or bought? Just asking as the top wishbone, inner mountings look very low in comparison to mine. Wouldnt that cause a lot of negative wheel camber on full suspension drop?

Book mark for self