ATS Spindle tie rod problems??

[ITLBTU]

Eville, I think that the 18" wheels will be fine. I also think that if I went with an 8"x 17 wheel I whould be ok as well. If I had a shorter steering arm I think it would work with no worries as well. I don't know what the casting # is. I can look after work. The car was a factory drum brake car.

[ITLBTU]

Mr. Quick is right. There is no issue with the AFX spindles or the steering arms or the tie rod ends. The issue here is that the wheels have too much backspacing. Change the wheels or go to a slightly thicker adapter and the problem goes away. Changing tie rod height and the length of the arms alters the bumpsteer curves and ackerman angles as well as the steering ratio. A great deal of engineering went into making those aspects the very best they can be with the AFX spindles so there`s a pretty good chance of screwing it all up.
Just space the steering arms inboard 1/4" or so with some spacers or washers and longer bolts and you`re good to go. Mark SC&C

I already have a 2" spacer on the wheels. I feel pretty dumb... I never even thought of spacing the steering arm inward..

[DarkoNova]

It depends on your wheel size, but the short arms are your best bet.

I'm hoping I have the short ones, then. How much backspacing is too much? I'm going to get some Corvette wheels. 17x9.5 with 54-56mm of backspacing, I'm not sure exactly what it is. I hope it clears, otherwise I probably won't be getting the spindles.

Matt

[MrQuick]

50mm is approx. 1" That would be 54-56mm positive or negative from centerline. 9.5 is about 5 1/4". Im guessing you'd have a 6 1/2" back space...give or take an inch. j/k

No matter what spindles you have they will still hit the arm.

[MarkM66]

I don't see why some are blaming it on to much backspacing. Yeah, this is causing the problem, but if you want the widest possible tire/wheel, and for it not to hit the fender, you need as much bs a possible.

Give Flaming river a call. Awhile back someone said they offered short steering arms with the r&p conversion. See if they are in fact short, and if they'll sell you a set.

[derekf]

50mm is approx. 1"

I'm thinking 25.4mm is more like 1" and 50 is slightly shy of 2".

[baz67]

I'm thinking 25.4mm is more like 1" and 50 is slightly shy of 2".

Ya D that is how Vince impresses the girls with his supersly metric conversion skills.

[zbugger]

Derek, you are correct. 54mm = 2 1/8" and 56mm = 2 3/16". Or it's damn close to that. And from what I remember, most Vette wheels run in the 6 3/4"-7 1/4" range. Somewhere in there. It's not exact. Measure for yourself, dammit....

[MrQuick]

LOL, and thats where the humor lies....easy Buggie, its not rocket science. LOL

[Taylor1969]

If someone can send me a set or get me the dimensions we can make them.

Joe

I would be interested in a set if you made them.

[DarkoNova]

Derek, you are correct. 54mm = 2 1/8" and 56mm = 2 3/16". Or it's damn close to that. And from what I remember, most Vette wheels run in the 6 3/4"-7 1/4" range. Somewhere in there. It's not exact. Measure for yourself, dammit....

lol, well I don't have the wheels yet. I'm debating on whether or not to get them now if I'll have clearance issues with the spindles.

I guess a 2" spacer would work, I just want to be damn sure before I buy all new wheels and tires so I can use the ATS spindles.

Matt

[ITLBTU]

Well, I put a bandaid on the problem for now. Maybe for good. I found some hardend machine washers at work that are 3/16"thick. I put them, one one on each side of the steering arm, and it spaced the Baer tracker far enough out that I was able to add all but the two smallest shims. I would have been able to put all on had I not cut the bolt as short. I might be able to post some pics tomorrow, if there is any interest. Thanks for the advice Marcus. Such a simple fix. I can't believe I couldn't think of that.

[eville]

I'd like to see pictures please.

[ITLBTU]

I'd like to see pictures please.

I posted some pics here..

http://www.itlbtu.com/restoration/

[Marcus SC&C]

No problem,glad to help. Mark SC&C