Tie Rod Interference

[John Haeberlin]

Hi. First post.
I am building a Mk IV using a 2001 donor,4.6L SOHC. I am using the stock spindles, lower control arm, and power rack modified to FFR specs. using the supplied parts. All parts are installed as instructed in the manual. I intended on using FFR control arms, but after waiting 5 mo. for delivery I refurbished the Ford parts, just to get on with it. The alignment is pretty close but at full lock the tie rod end on one side comes into contact with the control arm and on the other side the inner tie rod comes into contact with the coil spring. Has anyone else experienced this and if so what did you do. It is great fun reading other posts. I have learned a great deal. Thanks

[Jeff Kleiner]

Some thoughts---
Do you have the control arms raised so that they are horizontal, as they will be at finished ride height? The front suspension goes all wonky at full droop.
With power steering once you do your final alignment you will most likely be running ~8 degrees or more of positive caster which will bring the steering arm upward and may eliminate interference. (BTW, when you get to that much caster be sure to check thread engagement on the UCA forward links; you'll probably need longer sleeves.)
Full lock can be at play also. In normal circumstances you won't go to full lock (the tires will be into the F panel before you get there). Some builders incorporate rack limiters to stop the travel.

Good luck,
Jeff

[AC Bill]

Never heard of contact with the control arm before, but certainly the issue of contact with the coil spring was common enough.
Some builders have made new shock spacers, so that the mounting point on the shock bolts, top and bottom, shift the shock assembly rearward. This involves using a longer spacer on the front, and a shorter one on the rear of the bolt.
There are also steering rack limiters (as Jeff mentions) available from Ford dealers, that once inserted into the steering rack, prevent the wheels from turning as sharp, or as full lock as it is currently.
Direction of shock mounting can also play a roll, body up, or body down?

[John Haeberlin]

Thanks Jeff and AC Bill
The car is on it's wheels with the lower control arms parallel to the floor. At 8 degrees caster there is not much thread left in the sleeves. Does FFR supply longer sleeves or do you get them machined? I am not to worried about the shock contact as it won't be too difficult to move them to the rear with new spacers. When I said full lock, I meant as far as the interference between tie rod and LCA would allow. The tires are from the donor car, 275/40 17 and as far as they will turn do not come close to the F panel. The shocks are mounted body up.

[Jeff Kleiner]

John,
RE: UCA adjusting sleeves---here is some discussion on a thread I began long ago...

http://www.ffcars.com/forums/17-factory-five-roadsters/244160-lots-caster-warning.html

...however the short answer is that you can get the sleeves from Speedway Motors. You'll want 5 inch ones #910-34258-5

http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Aluminum-Tie-Rod-Sleeve-5-8-Inch,2087.html

The contact with F panels I mentioned is usually at the lower ~4". That part of the panel changes shape a bit and is pulled outward when the splash panels are installed, although with the wider 2001 spindles and/or donor control arms you might avoid contact altogether depending on wheel offset.

Good luck,
Jeff

[3kcarbon]

Jeff Kleiner is the Grand Poobah of FFR Roadste. All hail the Grand Poobah! His words are wisdom and lay out the path to Roadster perfection.
I had the same issue on mine in rough alignment stage and it had a grunt or two turning lock to lock. After better alignment and setting the ride height the issue seems gone expect for a few marks left on the springs. Seems to work in the alignment - ride height sweet spot.

[John Haeberlin]

I was away for a while over Christmas. I rechecked the caster and it was only at about 4 degrees. Must have had an extra beer that night. Clearance is much better now. I will check out the longer sleeves as now there really is not much thread engaged. Thanks to everybody for their help