[BillWatcher]

I just picked up this car and I have ran into this little issue after I put on my custom knuckles.

Both my front wheels have a decent amount of toe but the tie rod ends are adjusted all the way in, I can't figure out what might be causing this. My passenger side tie rod looks to be bent slightly but I cant imagine that causing somthing like this.

Any suggestions?

These are pictures with the wheel straight.
Pictures

Driver side

Pass Side

 

[user name]

And I thought my 9.8mm toe was bad...

 

[wajalama]

I just picked up this car and I have ran into this little issue after I put on my custom knuckles.

You don't think that's causing the issues?

 

[mysteryskittle]

Caster, camber, toe, and ride height all play together. You need a straight tie rod first off. (junk yard that shiz)
Next step is a proper alignment that starts with the rear wheels, then move to the front. Looks like you're trying to "set the toe and go." That works for Honda Pilots and Chevy malibu's when they get tune-ups at the dealership.. You need a time consuming alignment!

Get the tie rod and search for shop that does lowered/drifty cars and knows their stuff. GL man, let us know what happens and post pics.

 

[BillWatcher]

You don't think that's causing the issues?

Well I have not seen this issue with others that have done this mod. If you have please direct me to one of those threads. <3

If you are just guessing, thanks for the attempt.

 

[BillWatcher]

Caster, camber, toe, and ride height all play together. You need a straight tie rod first off. (junk yard that shiz)
Next step is a proper alignment that starts with the rear wheels, then move to the front. Looks like you're trying to "set the toe and go." That works for Honda Pilots and Chevy malibu's when they get tune-ups at the dealership.. You need a time consuming alignment!

Get the tie rod and search for shop that does lowered/drifty cars and knows their stuff. GL man, let us know what happens and post pics.

This is true, I just put them on and lowered it down and it looked even worse so I just turned in the tie rods all the way and kinda just figured they were so bad still that the eccentric bolts wouldn't help enough. But assuming has bit me in the nipples before..

 

[batou]

Only drifting knuckles i've seen that are tried and trusted, are the level7tune knuckles.

iirc, chelsea still makes these himself!

 

[wajalama]

Well I have not seen this issue with others that have done this mod. If you have please direct me to one of those threads. <3

If you are just guessing, thanks for the attempt.

Just guessing

 

[BillWatcher]

Only drifting knuckles i've seen that are tried and trusted, are the level7tune knuckles.

iirc, chelsea still makes these himself!

I hear ya. I was going to wait for him to finish LB. Or go with Garage Star, but a local shop that has a good reputation in the drift community and has done work on my other cars said he would put them together so I figured I would support the local talent instead.

 

[SteveO]

Only drifting knuckles i've seen that are tried and trusted, are the level7tune knuckles.

iirc, chelsea still makes these himself!

Mmmm...no he doesn't, he did the R&D and made the jigs for the knuckles, but as far as the production itself is done by some Doug at Lvl7.

I had knuckles done by a fabricator here in Orlando, he did a great job and they work great, but my passengers side tie rod is pushed all of the way in, but still have a slight amount of toe out only on the passengers side.

Knuckles are so worth it, one of the best things that I've done to my car, but I would definitely research different tie rod ends to get the proper alignment.

 

[BillWatcher]

Mmmm...no he doesn't, he did the R&D and made the jigs for the knuckles, but as far as the production itself is done by some Doug at Lvl7.

I had knuckles done by a fabricator here in Orlando, he did a great job and they work great, but my passengers side tie rod is pushed all of the way in, but still have a slight amount of toe out only on the passengers side.

Knuckles are so worth it, one of the best things that I've done to my car, but I would definitely research different tie rod ends to get the proper alignment.

Getting ENDS and an actual alignment is pretty much what stage I am at now. But I have seen that Garage Star/Lvl7/My fabricator all have said that you can use stock ENDS. So thats why I am a little bamboozled at the moment.

 

[SteveO]

Getting ENDS and an actual alignment is pretty much what stage I am at now. But I have seen that Garage Star/Lvl7/My fabricator all have said that you can use stock ENDS. So thats why I am a little bamboozled at the moment.

Keep in mind that the knuckle is cut and shortened so that the ratio is much quicker, Chelsea did the full R&D for the jigs used to make their knuckles, the knuckles that they claim can run stock tie rod ends, you on the other hand went through someone without those jigs, the fabricator could have cut the knuckles too short which is causing you to run out of threads on the stock tie rod. Only a few mm will make the difference.

 

[BillWatcher]

Hmmm, I will have to ask him if he winged it. He has built some pretty fabulous cars and a couple lovely miata's. But I shall just ask. That seems like it could be the case.

 

[SteveO]

Hmmm, I will have to ask him if he winged it. He has built some pretty fabulous cars and a couple lovely miata's. But I shall just ask. That seems like it could be the case.

Even if so it's really not a huge deal, as long as both sides are equal with the toe out, it'll only make the car turn in quicker than it usually does.

Also if you don't have power steering, get it, tried a depowered rack for only 2 days after I got the knuckles until I put the pump and lines back in.

And like I mentioned, knuckles are super worth it, coincidentally I just stumbled across a pic of me with the new knuckles....

 

[BillWatcher]

Even if so it's really not a huge deal, as long as both sides are equal with the toe out, it'll only make the car turn in quicker than it usually does.

Also if you don't have power steering, get it, tried a depowered rack for only 2 days after I got the knuckles until I put the pump and lines back in.

And like I mentioned, knuckles are super worth it, coincidentally I just stumbled across a pic of me with the new knuckles....

I hear you big time. This is my second miata and just the test drive to the parking lot next door to test how it felt while doing donuts, I could tell a difference instantly compared to my old car. It was really quite amazing. I also have power steering.

 

[batou]

Mmmm...no he doesn't, he did the R&D and made the jigs for the knuckles, but as far as the production itself is done by some Doug at Lvl7.

I had knuckles done by a fabricator here in Orlando, he did a great job and they work great, but my passengers side tie rod is pushed all of the way in, but still have a slight amount of toe out only on the passengers side.

Knuckles are so worth it, one of the best things that I've done to my car, but I would definitely research different tie rod ends to get the proper alignment.

mb, i stand corrected. Still, awesome knuckles.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

Pull off the tie rod, cut come new treads into the rod, cut off excess. Done.

I just paid $20 for a die/tap kit from harbor freight.

 

[BillWatcher]

The fabricator left out that I need to shorten my tie rods... -_-

I am guessing the tap/die kit would be the only way I assume?

 

[Phung018]

which is crazy because you're supposed to be able to add spacers to your rack.

 

[BillWatcher]

Yes that confused me as well.

So this is what I ended up doing and now with adjusting the toe is 0 now.


The Tie rod on the right is stock, the left I shortened.