Lock Spacers Not Working

[missile_c33]

hi guys , problem, ive gone to install rack spacers in an r32 and it seems the teeth on the shaft wont allow it to go in further????

it gets to the rack and stops flush and feels like the teeth are maxing? the other side goes in HEAPS!! anybody had this problem before?

[boostn0199]

Are you trying with the tie rods disconnected? Disconnect them and take the rack lock to lock and measure each side. Post some pics to.

[missile_c33]

yea man droped both sides so just the rack. have done this on my c33, albeit with some other over the top mods and no probs. will chuck pics tomorrow . measurements at a guess would be 2mm below flush on drivers/pinion side and 20-25mm on other

Edited January 24, 2014 by missile_c33

[boostn0199]

Yeah if thats what your getting then you need to run the offset spacers like these ones.

http://www.gktech.com/index.php/4130-high-tensile-steel-steering-rack-spacer-set.html

so you will put the big spacer on the passenger side since it has more travel and small spacer on driver side then you just recentre the rack to even it out.

[missile_c33]

hmmm basically what i have,, how do i recentre?

[boostn0199]

Recentreing is simple. First install those offset spacers plus your tie rods, then go lock to lock and coubt the turns it takes then go back half way and that will be your new centre position for your rack.

You now set your toe settings from this new centre position.

Edited January 24, 2014 by boostn0199

[missile_c33]

oh yea, i know that (haha) it just seems to run out of teeth to pull the drivers wheel in, ill take pics and try get them up on here

[boostn0199]

oh yea, i know that (haha) it just seems to run out of teeth to pull the drivers wheel in, ill take pics and try get them up on here

Yeah thats why u recentre it so in other words after you recentre it the rack wont be at equal lengths at each side to compensate for the extra travel on one side.

For example like you said you have 3mm travel on your drivers side and say 12mm on your passenger side. If the rack is left in its centre position like normal you will get more lock and one side due to the extra travel so when you recentre it to its new centre position which would be 4.5mm off the normal centre towards the drivers side you will now have 7mm travel each side asappose to before where it was 12 on one and 3 on the other.

I know its hard to understand from reading it but might help if I draw a diagram.

[missile_c33]

yea makes sense and REALLY appreciate the help, what i shood have said also is im using offset rack spacers. so when i go full lock right, with offset spacer on, lock nut off tierod and wound right in (cut to go all the way) so everything in as far as possible, it doesnt hit lock stops, maybe no use offsets or affter market tierods?

[Simon-S14]

Those rack spacers ate not correct. You need to run a bolt on spacer on both sides otherwise your geometry will never be correct

[missile_c33]

worked fine on my c33?

[boostn0199]

Post up the pics.

[dori33]

I had the same problem with my 33 well all 33 seem to do it when you add washers for more lock.. I think its just in the design of the rack, turning left always has more travel. If just got my knuckles modified, were they shorten and straighten the tie rod arm(cut and weld) gets heaps of lock combined with a slip on washer. The advantage is it reduces akerman between the two wheels and also shortens the steering ratio(less turns lock to lock. Win win for a drifter. JDI fabrications do them in Melbourne.

[boostn0199]

I had the same problem with my 33 well all 33 seem to do it when you add washers for more lock.. I think its just in the design of the rack, turning left always has more travel. If just got my knuckles modified, were they shorten and straighten the tie rod arm(cut and weld) gets heaps of lock combined with a slip on washer. The advantage is it reduces akerman between the two wheels and also shortens the steering ratio(less turns lock to lock. Win win for a drifter. JDI fabrications do them in Melbourne.

Really your 33 rack does that? The 6 ive gone through all only have 4mm extra travel each side.