View Full Version : Front Toe Orientation - Am I on the wrong side?/Did I just F myself
scrubs
02-23-2023, 02:01 PM
Got my Breeze steering rack bushings in today and and during completion noted this:
180496
The tie rod end doesn't reach from below, but will from above...
I thought I oriented like the manual displayed, looked like the arm angled down and out. If I keep the arm on the same side and flip, will end up with angle up and centrally. Switch to the other side and will angle up and outward. One will have to do bcs will be the only way to get the tie rod end to go in from beneath.
Did I interpret the manual incorrectly?
Thanks,
j
The connectors are tapered and if you have the parts on the correct side of the car, should mount from below. A common error is to have the spindles on the wrong side of the car, but that would flip the connectors to point to the rear rather than the front of the car.
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=84523&d=1524419859
scrubs
02-23-2023, 02:23 PM
[QUOTE=Papa;518401]The connectors are tapered and if you have the parts on the correct side of the car, should mount from below. A common error is to have the spindles on the wrong side of the car, but that would flip the connectors to point to the rear rather than the front of the car.
Thanks, Papa, I think the spindles are on the correct sides. This is the PS...
180497
[QUOTE=Papa;518401]The connectors are tapered and if you have the parts on the correct side of the car, should mount from below. A common error is to have the spindles on the wrong side of the car, but that would flip the connectors to point to the rear rather than the front of the car.
Thanks, Papa, I think the spindles are on the correct sides. This is the PS...
180497
Yep! DSS on the passenger side and PSS on the driver's side. The arms are likely on the wrong side. Taper should be wider on the bottom.
Dave
In that last picture you posted, I can see a portion of the arm. When you look at the arms, one side will have a very slight bevel along the edge and the other will not. The beveled (finished) side is what should be facing in toward the steering rack with the sharp side against the spindle.
scrubs
02-23-2023, 03:29 PM
Assuming I have to flip these toe arm, I went ahead to start disassembly. I thought I could get the arm off if I just freed the lower control arm....was stuck as hell and figured I could gently pickle fork it...guess there is not such thing:
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Dead boot.
Boot replacement? Ball joint? Entire control arm?
Need to walk away from it for a bit...
j
Assuming I have to flip these toe arm, I went ahead to start disassembly. I thought I could get the arm off if I just freed the lower control arm....was stuck as hell and figured I could gently pickle fork it...guess there is not such thing:
180508
Dead boot.
Boot replacement? Ball joint? Entire control arm?
Need to walk away from it for a bit...
j
Well, that's a bummer. You can use these boots: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000CN9AQU/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
The uppers are way better than the ones that come with the kit and most people replace those with the uppers in this kit anyway.
Dave
scrubs
02-23-2023, 04:28 PM
Well, that's a bummer. You can use these boots: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000CN9AQU/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
The uppers are way better than the ones that come with the kit and most people replace those with the uppers in this kit anyway.
Dave
Thx, Papa (not sure if you like Dave better). Took your advice on the Lokar, so that went smoothly today.
At least the boot fix is easy, but still wondering what's up with my arms? Possible they drilled the taper in the wrong direction?
Gonna wait for help and have some bourbon.
J
mladen
02-23-2023, 04:30 PM
I did the same thing. Had to disassemble everything to reverse them. If you torqued down the axle nuts you'll need to buy new ones.
You indicate that you have steering rack arms mounted down and out. I believe they may be on the wrong side, as I think they should be up and out.
scrubs
02-23-2023, 04:57 PM
I did the same thing. Had to disassemble everything to reverse them. If you torqued down the axle nuts you'll need to buy new ones.
I thought Removing the lower control Arm was going to be easier than the spindle , I was wrong.. I think I will remove the spindle on the other side.
scrubs
02-23-2023, 05:02 PM
You indicate that you have steering rack arms mounted down and out. I believe they may be on the wrong side, as I think they should be up and out.
Yes, The is precisely issue I need to confirm, Which directions should they be oriented? This will determine just flip or flip and change sides. I can't tell from Papa pic the orientation of his.
Flip = will point up and in
Flip and change sides = will point up and out
The taper will confirm, it should be on the bottom. But, almost certain they are up and out with the taper on the bottom.
Hoooper
02-23-2023, 06:49 PM
The arms need to be down and out. Yours are currently up. If they are pointed out, then you need to flip them over and swap sides. If they are currently pointed in then you just need to flip them over.
toadster
02-23-2023, 07:05 PM
I did the same thing. Had to disassemble everything to reverse them. If you torqued down the axle nuts you'll need to buy new ones.
mee too! this is probably one of those 50/50 deals, if you're lucky you get them right the first time ;)
scrubs
02-23-2023, 07:09 PM
The arms need to be down and out. Yours are currently up. If they are pointed out, then you need to flip them over and swap sides. If they are currently pointed in then you just need to flip them over.
May not come across in the pic, but they are down and out
Jeff Kleiner
02-23-2023, 07:14 PM
My gosh all this chatter is making my head spin… The steering arms need to have the wide end of the taper pointing down and the bend in them should angle the arms outward. The tie rods are installed from below; nut will be on top.
Jeff
I actually assembled mine three times before I got it right. With the tapered hole on the bottom to mate with the rack, the arms point up. it is impossible to have them down with the taper on the right side.
scrubs
02-23-2023, 07:16 PM
My gosh all this chatter is making my head spin… The steering arms need to have the wide end of the taper pointing down and the bend in them should angle the arms outward. The tie rods are installed from below; nut will be on top.
Jeff
JK, that is the current orientation and no go from below. Easy peasy from from above (indicating to me they are upside down and will wind up one of the 2 ways I explained above).
j
Edit, I thought you meant the angle of the arm....so I will flip and switch sides to go up and out.
scrubs
02-23-2023, 07:21 PM
Seem down and out to me....
180512
same pic that messed me up. I initially installed them as you have them now but couldn't get the tie rods started. so I flipped them around but pointing in. couldn't get the wheels pointed straight attaching the tie rods. try three worked.
scrubs
02-24-2023, 01:01 AM
Lower arm freed, as well as toe arm. Not too bad. What is easier: destroy/replace the lower control arm boot vs removing and replacing axle nut after spindle removal?180531
CraigS
02-24-2023, 07:39 AM
The steering arms are labeled....BUT they are labeled for use in the 33 hotrod. So, on a roadster, they go on the opposite side of their label.
scrubs
02-24-2023, 08:08 AM
The steering arms are labeled....BUT they are labeled for use in the 33 hotrod. So, on a roadster, they go on the opposite side of their label.
Thanks, CraigS. My arms are not labeled, the spindles are. Determined from this thread that I am flipping and moving them to the other side:)
Hoooper
02-24-2023, 10:34 AM
I think your definition of down is different from everyone who has responded. Down to us means the big end of the taper is down, small end of the taper on top.
scrubs
02-26-2023, 11:56 AM
Thanks to everyone on the thread (and Bulleit) for keeping me sane after my toe arm debacle. I think we are back in business. On to some aluminum:)
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CraigS
03-01-2023, 08:25 AM
All right! Now the fun part right? Squeazing that pop riveter a 1000 times.
scrubs
03-02-2023, 05:44 PM
All right! Now the fun part right? Squeazing that pop riveter a 1000 times.
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181018
Best tool I ever bought for this project
Mike.Bray
03-12-2023, 10:45 AM
Best tool I ever bought for this project
I have an automatic riveter also. Made it through the entire car and my arms feel fine!
https://www.imagecoast.com/images/MichaelBray1/20220811163636mediumrotated.jpg
Windsor
03-12-2023, 04:34 PM
I have an automatic riveter also. Made it through the entire car and my arms feel fine!
https://www.imagecoast.com/images/MichaelBray1/20220811163636mediumrotated.jpg
Any relation to this gal, Rosie the Riveter?
https://i.imgur.com/fLPxyR0.jpg