Baer Tracker tie rod adjuster sleeve

[JRouche]

Ok.. Am I nutts here or what? Ok, just for this topic, all other topics are off limits



I just got these BT tie rod ends and the sleeve and rod end seems wrong.

I havent done any alignment work before so I may be off here. But isnt the purposes of the sleeve to allow you to turn the sleeve to adjust the toe without having to get the vice grips on the tie rod to turn it. Ok, I dont actually need vice grips, the tie rod does turn by hand, although its pretty tight. I dont like the idea of wrenching on the tie rod with a wrench to turn it. If it had a flat on it that would be different.

But the massive adjuster sleeve does have a massive hex on it implying you should turn it with a wrench. But the threads on each end are both right hand threads. So its like a big nut. It just moves along the shafts of the tie rod and tie rod end.

You suppose the large hex is just to secure the sleeve while tightening down the jamb nuts? Prolly so huh?

I dont know.. It just seems like Im missing something. They call it an adjuster sleeve but it doesnt do much adjusting. Its a coupler for what I see now. If it had left hand threads on the outboard side, the rod end threads (along with left hand threads on the rod end) it seems like it would be a true adjuster then. As I turn the sleeve it would open or close the distance. And as it is I can easily turn the sleeve by hand and the inner tie rod doesnt rotate. That would be the easier adjusting meathod IMO. What am I missing?????? Brain cells?????

Oh, and its a rack and pinion steering.... Maybe for other steering systems where the inner tie rod does not rotate they have left hand threads on the outboard side.

Thanks for any help folks.. JR

[Weezy F]

I have a bump steer kit, not from baer, but practically the same thing and my kit came with jam nuts to put on the outside of the sleeve to keep it in place.

[David Pozzi]

The One Lap Camaro had one from ATS but I think it's a Baer piece. The inner tie rod is left hand thread, the outer is right hand thread. Are you using stock inner tie rods?

[JRouche]

The One Lap Camaro had one from ATS but I think it's a Baer piece. The inner tie rod is left hand thread, the outer is right hand thread. Are you using stock inner tie rods?

Yes, the inner tie rod is right hand thread. And remember, its a rack and pinion. No inner and outer tie rod. One tie rod for each side. JR

[JRouche]

I have a bump steer kit, not from baer, but practically the same thing and my kit came with jam nuts to put on the outside of the sleeve to keep it in place.

Yup, I have the jamb nuts for the sleeve. But all that does is hold the sleeve in place after the final adjustment. Locks the sleeve in place so it doesnt rotate. JR

[JRouche]

So I called Baer today. And the tech said he has been there for 12 years and they have always been right hand threads on both ends.

Im sure they like their design. But I thing a left hand thread on the rod end side would be a better setup for adjusting. I would have liked to be able to just buy their pin, its a nice 4140 pin and make up my own adjuster and buy my own parts. I would have made it a lil slimmer, no need for that much bulk on the sleeve. And used a left hand thread on the outside along with a left hand thread rod end.

Just showing some of the variations for anyone considering the Baer Tracker tie rod ends. Oh, and they are some pretty nice parts. Make sure to throw some grease on the threads though. Aluminum and steel dont mix.

Oh, and as far as the bump steer correcting function. What they market them for. Im gonna check that tomorrow. My back is killing me today, got some bad bones back there. ERRRR!! But I didnt buy the ends for bumpsteer correction. I needed more clearance between the tie rod end and brake disc. I was in slight contact with the stock tie rod ends. Thats cured.

To be honest, I dont expect much improvement for bump steer. Its a MII type steering and its gonna take more than these to cure that issue with the MII. But Ill check it out anyway out of curiosity. JR