Tie rod initial setup…how much variation?

[Windsorpower]

With my chassis on the ground and the control arms level, 53 and 1/16 inches between the centers of the outer tie rod studs has my tires toed out at a VERY noticeable angle. Not sure if I’ve screwed up somewhere but I’m gonna have to set way less than 53 1/16 to get close to straight. Anyone else in the same boat? Please chime in with your final tie rod distance so I can feel better about my work. I’m using a Breeze rack kit and Moog ends on a powered rack.

2022 MK4

[Jeff Kleiner]

FFR spindles? If so do you have the steering arms installed correctly; i.e. angled outward?

Jeff

[gbranham]

I set mine to the recommended 53 inches and change, and there was noticeable toe out. Once I put my wheels on the car, I used the tried and true string method to eyeball just a smidge of toe in, knowing that once the engine is in and ride height is set, I'll have to do it again. But, to get some toe in that passed the eyeball test while on a chassis dolley, I came in from 53 and change to something like 52.5, maybe. As long as your steering arms are pointed up and out as Jeff says, don't fixate too much on the 53 inch value; just run a string like I did, get it close, and let the alignment shop do the rest when you're ready.

203312

[Windsorpower]

FFR spindles? If so do you have the steering arms installed correctly; i.e. angled outward?

Jeff

Yes, up and out….which raises another question: They are so close to the rotors it’s not even sensible. Do other vehicles have such narrow clearances? I can’t fit a finger between the rotor and the tie rod end.

[Jeff Kleiner]

Yes, up and out….which raises another question: They are so close to the rotors it’s not even sensible. Do other vehicles have such narrow clearances? I can’t fit a finger between the rotor and the tie rod end.

The rotor to tie rod relationship is fixed and will not change so not touching is never touching.

Jeff

[gbranham]

Does it look like this?

203316

[Windsorpower]

Does it look like this?

203316

Yes. I just spoke with Dan at the factory. He said that the tie rod number of 53 and 1/16 is merely a starting point and to basically ignore it and set everything by eye. He said the same applies to the upper control arm numbers. He told me that those numbers need to be pulled out of the manual.

To roughly quote him: “Make it look right with your naked eye at your desired ride height and take it to an alignment shop once you’re done go-karting.”

This is agreeable to me since rigidly following those numbers makes it appear that I built the car with the guidance of a wet Ouija board and the ghosts of Ralph Nader and Greta Thuneberg’s ancestors.