IFS....Standard A-arms to pin drive A-arms.....Now what tie rod ends to use ??

[Derald Rice]

On my mk2, using fox spindles, and flaming river rack, as part of the conversion to full heim joints..... I just finished dry fitting the pin drive
LCR, pin drive spindle adapter, and moved the UCA pivot point.

Now the front tires fit under the fender, with no problems.

Now, I will need to change the tie rod ends, and the only options that I know of are to
use the shorty Moog ES455RL

Second option is to go with a bump steer kit and modify the length of the coupler sleeve between the heim and the inner tie rod......Advantage of this is that I will be able to adjust for the bump steer.....I suppose that is why they call it a "bump steer kit".

A third option is to cut the inner tie rod, but that is a lot (approx 1.625 inches) to cut off

I am not the first person to do this, maybe there is another option that I am not aware of

What is the best option ??

[CraigS]

Wow, 1.65" does seem a lot. I don't really have an answer for you as I have never done pin drive but a caution on the bump steer kits. I have used Forte's and it fit fine on a standard width set up so I don't think that will help you. I don't think you could take that much out of the sleeve. Also note that most of the sleeves will have right hand thread on the end that fits the stock inner tierod but the rod end will be left hand thread. So that might make it more difficult to modify it.

[rich grsc]

I don't understand what you've done? You say you moved the upper control arm pivot point? That isn't necessary to do pin-drive, that is why you have the spindle adaptor. When I did mine, many years ago, I did cut about .75" off each side of the tie rod.

[Derald Rice]

The 1.65 is the difference between the standard width LCA and the pin drive LCA. The UCA was moved from the MK2 outer holes to the inner holes, and with the change from the standard spindle adapter to the PD spindle adapter, the upper BJ has also moved the same 1.65".....It makes sense to me that if everything has moved the same 1.65, then the tie rod needs the same amount.

The Maximum Motorsport bump steer tie rod end is right hand threads on both ends, with the Heim rod end locktited in place......I can shorten their rod end by that amount if necessary.

[CraigS]

"The Maximum Motorsport bump steer tie rod end is right hand threads on both ends, with the Heim rod end locktited in place......I can shorten their rod end by that amount if necessary."
Ahh, that makes sense.