Steering Tie Rod Length / Front subframe adjustments

[PeterPortugal]

Hi All,

I noted when replacing the tie rods on my W111 that the lengths are substantially unequal. Is this OK?

I centred the steering box first using the special screw in the detent.

Is there any other adjustment of the front subframe that can be made to correct this?

Regards

Peter

[mbzse]

.../...the tie rods on my W111 that the lengths are substantially unequal. Is this OK?

No,
There are tiny markings on steering wheel and steering box that need to align. On steering box spindle, they correspond to Pitman arm. See pic attached

[UJJ]

Also make sure your steering Wheel/Shaft is centered. There is a hole in the steering column which needs to be aligned with the steering shaft. I think you need a 10mm pin to do this.
Good luck, Urban

[PeterPortugal]

Guys,

Just a push on this topic again.

Thanks for the suggestions about checking the steering arm is correctly fitted to the box...it got me thinking as this was done a while ago.

I remembered that I set it as per the manual. Extract shown below. It is a good point though and I will recheck it again at the first opportunity (I am working away from home right now).

Assuming that the steering wheel / box / arm are all correctly set up is their anything else which could be adjusted and would influence the tie rod length? This is a very noticeable difference so I am discounting wheel alignment which looks ok.

Regards

Peter

[Pawel66]

This is probably irrelevant, but when I was working on the stuck steering knuckle, my mechanic brought a replacement steering knuckle he had in his shop to fit the replacement and then fix the one we took off the car. The replacement knuckle fit the mounting points and then, when it came to connecting rods, we figured out that the knuckle arm/lever that connects to tie rod had a different shape/length than the other one. So we could not use it, we had to fix the one I had on the car and fit it back. I have no idea for what model of car the replacement knuckle was.

[mbzse]

.../... I have no idea for what model of car the replacement knuckle was

Could also be, the arm/lever had been deformed in some way. Perhaps in a past collision

[PeterPortugal]

Guys,

Both of these are very good points. A collision is something that has to be considered too. I am trying to get the geometry right in order to convince myself that the chassis is straight. The car is 55 years old and I have only had it for the last 5.

When I replaced the steering box and lined everything up as per the workshop manual the steering arm must have gone back on with a different orientation to the box as the alignment was thrown right out when I reattached the tie rods (without adjusting them).

Regards

Peter

[PeterPortugal]

Gents,

To provide closure on this topic the steering arm was not correctly orientated to the box.

It was refurbished by a professional outfit in Germany and returned to me incorrect. However, I obviously did not check this thoroughly enough.

I refitted the arm, the tie rod lengths are equal...and I have peace of mind the chassis is straight.

Thanks for your help.

Peter

[Pawel66]

Cool you made it!

[wwheeler]

Fantastic news. It is examples like this that can help out others when facing a baffleing situation.

[PeterPortugal]

Thanks guys, i love learning about these cars....and we all know the best way to learn is to make mistakes !