Adjustment sleeves for power steering

[mcwho]

Just want to make sure I have all the bases covered for my upcoming alignment. For Camber adjustment on a MKIV with a power rack I somehow believed I needed longer adjustment sleeves. Looking at it again, looks like I had it reversed and looks like I actually need shorter adjustment sleeves, which will pull the top of the wheel inward.

The ones I bought are 5".

[edwardb]

Depends on the vintage of the UCA's that came with your kit. For a long time, it took a longer adjustment sleeve (5" vs. the 4" ones supplied) to get the amount of caster that's recommended for PS setups without running out of threads on the front adjuster. This was the case with my Mk4 #7750. So I'm willing to bet that's what you'll need for yours as well. Camber is the same for either manual or power, but the two interact to some degree. Until both are close to spec it may not be obvious what needs to change.

Newer kits have a similar looking UCA but they are definitely different. Some are able to get the PS recommended caster without any changes. Some have needed to trim 1/4" or so off the rear adjuster. My #8674 build had those UCA's, and I just made the PS caster setup without any changes. But the rear adjusters are pretty much all the way in. Any more and I would also have been trimming.

Hopefully I got all that right, based on my memory and build records... It can get a little confusing. :p

[CraigS]

As EdwardB says, some times the rear sleeves need to be shorter. What I have done on one MkIV was trade off a little negative camber to get a bit more caster. If the rear sleeve is as short as it will go, lengthening the front sleeve increases + caster but also moves camber toward positive. We ended up w/ approx 6.5 caster but just 1/4 deg - camber. Also be aware that, because of slight production variation left to right, you may end up w/ say 6.5 on one side but can only get 6.0 on the other. At that point you make both 6.0. BTW also be aware that, if you can't get as much caster as you might want, you can back off on the PS pump pressure to get a similar steering feel. Not exactly the same but close.

[Jeff Kleiner]

Craig and Paul are correct; different needs depending on which vintage UCA you have.

Bob, based on your delivery date and FFR number you'll end up needing the longer sleeves in the front leg of the upper arms.

Jeff

[slpro1207]

May be a silly question, but where can I purchase 5" adjustment sleeves?

[mcwho]

Great, I think I installed a pair of 5" on the fronts of the upper control arm, and I have the 4" as spares tat FFR supplied.

I think I'll be ok w those.

[mcwho]

66968

I thought I bought the 5" sleeves at speedway but cannot find them on the site now, perhaps speedway calls them something different.

Summit also has them.

Attached is a pic of my front setup now!

[edwardb]

May be a silly question, but where can I purchase 5" adjustment sleeves?

These are what I bought for #7750:

AFCO Racing 36174 Steering Linkage, Swaged Tube, Steel, Zinc Plated, 7/8 in. Diameter, 4 in. Length, 5/8 in.-18 RH/LH Threads,

AFCO Racing 36175 Steering Linkage, Swaged Tube, Steel, Zinc Plated, 7/8 in. Diameter, 5 in. Length, 5/8 in.-18 RH/LH Threads

Both Speedway and Summit carry them. Likely others. I started with the necessary 5 inch ones for power steering. But then when I took the UCA's apart, the remaining 4 inch ones were cross-threaded and all messed up. So replaced them with the superior (IMO) AFCO steel ones. Plus then they matched, which is important to OCD types like me. :p

[Jeff Kleiner]

Speedway info:

http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Aluminum-Tie-Rod-Sleeve-5-8-Inch,2087.html
For a 5" sleeve you want part # 910-34158-5

Note that these are for the earlier silver & black Mk4 upper control arms.

Jeff

[edwardb]

Speedway info:

http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Aluminum-Tie-Rod-Sleeve-5-8-Inch,2087.html
For a 5" sleeve you want part # 910-34158-5

Note that these are for the earlier silver & black Mk4 upper control arms.

Jeff

Those will work too. Same 5/8-18 threads as the AFCO Racing ones I mentioned. One steel, the other aluminum. Pick your flavor. Also only for the earlier arms Jeff mentioned.