Tie rods
10-03-2009, 11:19 AM
#1
Advanced
Thread Starter
Tie rods
I have a 1986 cabriolet that I took in yesterday to get the front end aligned and the tech pointed out that the left front tie rod was coming unthreaded. What does this mean and is it time to get turbo tie rods installed? If so how much should I expect to pay to have this done? Thanks, Curt
10-03-2009, 11:27 AM
#2
Team Owner
tie rod end becoming unthreaded is HUGE in a worse case scenario resulting in total loss of control as the wheel stering mechanism is detached and the wheel instantly points out .. in a minor form it will make for crappy allignment and tire wear..
I think it is a great opportunity to do the turbo tie rod update either way .. if you google turbo tie rod you will see they range from 150-200 dollars.
You want a Lemfoerder ( sp ) kit with quaility rubber boots as cheap ones will split in short order.
So you are looking at basically 200.00 + parts markup by your mech plus labour + front end allignment..
I think it is a great opportunity to do the turbo tie rod update either way .. if you google turbo tie rod you will see they range from 150-200 dollars.
You want a Lemfoerder ( sp ) kit with quaility rubber boots as cheap ones will split in short order.
So you are looking at basically 200.00 + parts markup by your mech plus labour + front end allignment..
10-03-2009, 12:09 PM
#3
What the iceman said is correct. Very very dangerous situation. Dont drive like that. I would be shocked if he let you take the car without fixing it. Lemfoerder is the brand the factory uses and its the only kit to buy.
10-03-2009, 01:18 PM
#4
Three Wheelin'
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Pardon my ignorance, but I'm on the cusp of buying an SC and it seems like the turbo tie-rod upgrade is a common one for SCs and Carreras. What is the primary advantage of this upgrade?
10-03-2009, 01:51 PM
#5
RL Technical Advisor
Steering feel and response is noticably better, they don't suffer bump steer problems when incorrectly adjusted, and they last a lot longer than the OEM ones. 
Plus,....The Turbo tie-rod kit is less expensive than the original ones.
Plus,....The Turbo tie-rod kit is less expensive than the original ones.
10-03-2009, 06:57 PM
#7
RL Technical Advisor
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10-03-2009, 10:25 PM
#8
Team Owner
Well if you get it from Steve you can be comfortable you are not getting chineese rubber thrown in with the other stuff... I would get it from Steve if I had to do again .. turned out I got a good kit, but others were not so lucky and the rubber started splitting after only one season ..
10-04-2009, 01:43 PM
#11
Rennlist Member
The difference I found between the factory tie rods on my 88 Carrera and the turbo ones, was the factory had a yoke that looked like a "U" where it attaches to the spindle area. Those type have to be aligned very closely (similar to a "U" joint or they bind the steering making it difficult to turn/steer. The turbo ones are like a ball joint and swivel. Big difference. I like the heck out of my turbo tie rods.
10-04-2009, 02:32 PM
#12
Team Owner
as soon as I bought my car I climbed under and did this before I even drove 1Km so i have no idea how it used to feel ....
Last edited by theiceman; 10-13-2009 at 10:57 PM.
10-13-2009, 09:37 PM
#14
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Thread Starter
I contacted Steve to send the tie rods out which he did the very next day. I have never done business with him, but he sent them out with invoice included showing trust you just do not see these days. I received them in good order and had my mechanic put them on and had the alignment checked again to make sure all is well. I love the feeling of new turbo tie rods and thanks again Steve!!!! Curt
10-13-2009, 09:55 PM
#15
RL Technical Advisor
I contacted Steve to send the tie rods out which he did the very next day. I have never done business with him, but he sent them out with invoice included showing trust you just do not see these days. I received them in good order and had my mechanic put them on and had the alignment checked again to make sure all is well. I love the feeling of new turbo tie rods and thanks again Steve!!!! Curt
LOL,.......The "Golden Rule" prevails for me as thats the key to human relations,...
I'm pleased to hear that you like what they do for the steering feel; I wish Porsche would have used them on ALL 911's as its a great upgrade.