toe in / toe out
Discussion
Adjusted via the thread on the track rod ends...but the track rods need to be twisted to screw the track rod in or out of the track rod end. Question is:
Where does the track rod turn at the rack end? Is there a rotational joint inside of the rack gaiter? Or is it the collar on the track rod next to and outside of the steering gaiter that allows the rod to twist?
Where does the track rod turn at the rack end? Is there a rotational joint inside of the rack gaiter? Or is it the collar on the track rod next to and outside of the steering gaiter that allows the rod to twist?
If I understand your question correctly...
Not had a Griffith rack to bits, but normally the track rod on a rack-and-pinion steering rack ends in a ball which locates in a socket assembly on the end of the rack itself. So yes, the track rods can rotate freely without causing any damage or upsetting any geometry (other than the tracking, of course!)once you have loosened the lock-nut on the track rod end.
Im too computer illiterate to post a diagram on here, but if you are really bothered, e-mail me off list and I'll scan an exploded drawing from a workshop manual that shows how the rack is put together.
>> Edited by Martin_S on Monday 17th January 20:22
Not had a Griffith rack to bits, but normally the track rod on a rack-and-pinion steering rack ends in a ball which locates in a socket assembly on the end of the rack itself. So yes, the track rods can rotate freely without causing any damage or upsetting any geometry (other than the tracking, of course!)once you have loosened the lock-nut on the track rod end.
Im too computer illiterate to post a diagram on here, but if you are really bothered, e-mail me off list and I'll scan an exploded drawing from a workshop manual that shows how the rack is put together.
>> Edited by Martin_S on Monday 17th January 20:22
Thanks both.
The collar (can't think of a better word) I mention is the discontinuity on the track rod itself, next to the outer end of the gaitor. It looks like a join in the track rod (a bit like the join between two sections of fishing rod) - ie the track rod is not one, continuous piece of metal. It is formed of two parts. According to GreenV8S this 'join' must be where the track rod rotates, if the gaitor itself is held still and the length of trackrod inside the gaitor does not rotate when the rod is twisted. Any clearer?!!
MartinS if you're right, presumably the gaitor must be loosened, to allow the track rod to rotate all the way along its length right the way up to the rack?
I'm trying to ascertain whether or not to unseize the collar/join...
If I could post images this would be so much easier...
The collar (can't think of a better word) I mention is the discontinuity on the track rod itself, next to the outer end of the gaitor. It looks like a join in the track rod (a bit like the join between two sections of fishing rod) - ie the track rod is not one, continuous piece of metal. It is formed of two parts. According to GreenV8S this 'join' must be where the track rod rotates, if the gaitor itself is held still and the length of trackrod inside the gaitor does not rotate when the rod is twisted. Any clearer?!!
MartinS if you're right, presumably the gaitor must be loosened, to allow the track rod to rotate all the way along its length right the way up to the rack?
I'm trying to ascertain whether or not to unseize the collar/join...
If I could post images this would be so much easier...
Yes, the 'collar' could well be some sort of sleeve joint which is designed to rotate. If this is the case, the track rods might be linked to the ends of the rack using some sort of clevis arrangement, rather than a ball joint.
On the other hand it could just be a threaded sleeve which has allowed TVR to bodge the length of somebody else's (Fords?) steering rack/track rods to suit the Griffith's suspension design.
As I said before, I've never had the Griffith's rack to bits, so at this point I'd better shut up and wait for somebody who knows the Griffith better to give a definitive answer!
Edited to add: I'm now deeply confused! Just checked the alternative parts list on Balistic Banana's site, to find that the steering rack for early Griffiths is listed as being a Range Rover component. Only snag there is that, AFAIK, no Range Rover had rack and pinion steering - they all had beam axles with old-fashioned steering boxes and drag links?!
>> Edited by Martin_S on Tuesday 18th January 23:34
On the other hand it could just be a threaded sleeve which has allowed TVR to bodge the length of somebody else's (Fords?) steering rack/track rods to suit the Griffith's suspension design.
As I said before, I've never had the Griffith's rack to bits, so at this point I'd better shut up and wait for somebody who knows the Griffith better to give a definitive answer!
Edited to add: I'm now deeply confused! Just checked the alternative parts list on Balistic Banana's site, to find that the steering rack for early Griffiths is listed as being a Range Rover component. Only snag there is that, AFAIK, no Range Rover had rack and pinion steering - they all had beam axles with old-fashioned steering boxes and drag links?!
>> Edited by Martin_S on Tuesday 18th January 23:34
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