Steering arms

ben tdi · May 6, 2011

Hi there, quick question.

i have a 1992 200tdi 90, the longest steering arm seems tp have a slight bend in it, is this normal or should they be straight?

ben tdi · May 6, 2011

Here is a picture to show which one i mean.

Uploaded with ImageShack.us

Cheers

Boris113 · May 6, 2011

Hi Ben :welcome2: to loonyzone!

it shouldn't be bent at all.

either replace it with a new standard version or buy a heavy duty one.

some people will say your better to fit a standard and bend it again instead of breaking something more serious next time you hit something with an HD version...choice is yours

Harry

ben tdi · May 6, 2011

Cheers harry, when driving in a straight line the steering wheel is slightly turned could this be due to the bent arm, also how easy are these arms to replace.

andy mcd · May 6, 2011

The arms a re dead easy to replace, Personally i recommend the heavy duty ones from paddocks.

I have posted on here before how to check the tracking after you replace them, The drag link is set to 924mm from the centre of the drop arm ball joint to the centre of the track rod end. This should centre the steering lock.

ben tdi · May 6, 2011

Thankyou very much andy had a look at previous posts, very helpful

.

andy mcd · May 6, 2011

Your welcome, if you need anything else just gives a shout

Litch · May 6, 2011

I fitted a set of solid bars from Green Oval to my 90 many years ago, not for their strength but because they didn't cost a whole lot more than standard bars and they are rot proof (standard ones can rot from the inside out if not checked from time to time).
When you have put it back together have the tracking checked properly, the likes of Just Tyres do checks for free and adjustment is around £20. Even being slightly out can affect steering & tyre wear.

jamesmartin · May 6, 2011

drag link doesnt effect tracking,rear track rod does,it should be set with steering box centre and wheels straight

big si · May 6, 2011

doesnt it affect the toe in or out position though as the rhs wheel pivots central to the track rod and drag arm? just curious.

jamesmartin · May 6, 2011

toe in or out is done on track rod on rear of axle ,drag link just needs to be set centrally ,pas box has a centre position were there is no play in box either side of this play increases to full lock ,if pas box has been set badly during build this centre spot may be to one side of full travel of box ,but in good box this is center of travel,when pas box is central so should wheels adjusting draglink length to achieve it ,adjust steering wheel by removing ujs and refitting

big si · May 6, 2011

bit obvious in hindsight given the dirty great track rod across the back,good to know though as just replaced the drag link ends and wondered if the tracking would need adjusting,the steering arm took some pulling to get off anorl broke me oldest puller doing it .

andy mcd · May 6, 2011

I have posted before how you can check and adjust the tracking. The manual says 0 Toe. Before i fitted the heavy duty bars i knocked my tracking out a few time, maybe because i bent the rod slightly and often. The last time i bent the drag link and put almost a 90 degree bend in the track rod
. Which i had to try and straighten before heading home.

adies_v8 · May 6, 2011

dont get the £20 whatever standard cheap ones, only good for onroad. Bent first original, bugged tyres getting it home. second cheapy one failed pulling out of muddy bottom - first AA lift home. now got a HD one and tis bloody mighty.

saxmanuk · May 10, 2011

jamesmartin said:
toe in or out is done on track rod on rear of axle ,drag link just needs to be set centrally ,pas box has a centre position were there is no play in box either side of this play increases to full lock ,if pas box has been set badly during build this centre spot may be to one side of full travel of box ,but in good box this is center of travel,when pas box is central so should wheels adjusting draglink length to achieve it ,adjust steering wheel by removing ujs and refitting

Bumping this thread to the top...for a quick steering set up question please. I have now replaced all my radius arm bushes, drag link ball joints, cross link damper etc etc
I just took it for a tracking check...only 2mm out (good guess on my part) so all was OK.............however noticed that my drop arm was 20% from straight i.e. it was pointing to my offside wheel when the wheels and steering wheel were straight...A further test.. and my lock to lock was out by 1/4 of a turn....
My question is..what is the correct sequence for setting lock to lock and steering wheel straightness.....I am presuming the drop arm should be pointing towards the front i.e. not to one wheel or the other?...then lock to lock should be exactly the same ?

tottot · May 10, 2011

bigsi13 said:
doesnt it affect the toe in or out position though as the rhs wheel pivots central to the track rod and drag arm? just curious.

Thats the job of the track rod only.

jamesmartin · May 10, 2011

some boxes have centering hole in drop arm which lines up with box hole ,those that dont count lock from lock in the middle is where you need to start,arm is not completely straight ahead when right,wheels want to be straight obviously then which is adjusted by drag link ,

saxmanuk · May 10, 2011

Thanks James
I think my drop arm is about 10 degrees to the offside when it is central.
Whats easier centring the steering wheel by removing or UJ on column?

jamesmartin · May 10, 2011

often easier than removing wheel

The Mad Hat Man · May 10, 2011

turn from full lock to full lock, find the centre position. the drop arm should then be vertical. Adjust everything to that position.

Steering arms

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