Tie Rod Installation
03-17-2019, 04:15 PM
#1
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Location: Memphis, TN 1987 S4
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Tie Rod Installation
Hey guys,
i installed new tie rods and ends on my 89S4 Friday. Took it to Sears to get an alignment. Technician said he couldn’t align it. He has it screwed as far as he can get it. Thinks it may be the wrong parts. I got the parts from Roger. Is there anything I could have done wrong? Put the on the same way I took the others off.
The only thing I saw different from old parts is the part that screwed into the rack had four indentions (where wrench slides on) where as the new ones had 2.
i installed new tie rods and ends on my 89S4 Friday. Took it to Sears to get an alignment. Technician said he couldn’t align it. He has it screwed as far as he can get it. Thinks it may be the wrong parts. I got the parts from Roger. Is there anything I could have done wrong? Put the on the same way I took the others off.
The only thing I saw different from old parts is the part that screwed into the rack had four indentions (where wrench slides on) where as the new ones had 2.
Last edited by dr bob; 03-19-2019 at 02:06 PM. Reason: title spelling
03-17-2019, 04:21 PM
#2
1. If you got parts from Roger I’m sure they are correct.
2. Don’t take the car to Sears, find a 928 mechanic or at least a Porsche shop.
3. Post pics of your tie rods please.
2. Don’t take the car to Sears, find a 928 mechanic or at least a Porsche shop.
3. Post pics of your tie rods please.
03-17-2019, 04:27 PM
#3
Sears still has open stores?
Are they using a rack centering bolt in the rack?
Are they using a rack centering bolt in the rack?
03-17-2019, 04:32 PM
#4
03-17-2019, 05:56 PM
#7
Team Owner
It looks like you got the wrong tie rods,
the ones on your car appear to be for the older series 78 to 86,
Look on E bay and you will see used tierods for a 1988 S4 available,
and then compare them to a 1978 928 and the newer year inner rods are clearly shorter
Did you match them up before you installed them?
the ones on your car appear to be for the older series 78 to 86,
Look on E bay and you will see used tierods for a 1988 S4 available,
and then compare them to a 1978 928 and the newer year inner rods are clearly shorter
Did you match them up before you installed them?
Last edited by Mrmerlin; 03-19-2019 at 09:03 PM.
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03-18-2019, 10:18 AM
#9
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Compressed
Extended
Ashley - Number one - I am sorry you are having issues.
928 347 031 10 is early 78 to 86 & 928 347 031 09 is late 86.5 to 95. (ROW 78 to 85 & 86 to 95)
Looking at the pictures you do have the correct tie rods. However now I have the early 78 to 86 & later 86.5 to 95 side by side there is very little difference between the two.
The hub end is the same part on both early and late. When shortened as much as possible the early tie rod is 10mm shorter than the later rod.
When extended to max length there still is only a 10mm difference between the two.
So apart from the 10mm what makes them different?? For instance the same steering rack is used on an 86 as on an 86.5. So it must be in the geometry of the hub.
Of course I could have missed something completely.
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Does it have the "Do It Yourself" manual transmission, or the superior "Fully Equipped by Porsche" Automatic Transmission?
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928 Owners are ".....a secret sect of quietly assured Porsche pragmatists who in near anonymity appreciate the prodigious, easy going prowess of the 928."
Does it have the "Do It Yourself" manual transmission, or the superior "Fully Equipped by Porsche" Automatic Transmission?
George Layton March 2014928 Owners are ".....a secret sect of quietly assured Porsche pragmatists who in near anonymity appreciate the prodigious, easy going prowess of the 928."
03-18-2019, 01:14 PM
#10
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Ashley - if you look at both wheels head-on at the front of the car are they pointing towards the center of the car (toe-in) or outwards (toe-out)??
With both tie rods on max compression they should be pointing inwards (toe-in) substantially.
With both tie rods on max compression they should be pointing inwards (toe-in) substantially.
03-18-2019, 05:25 PM
#11
I think "max compression" (shortest overall tie rod length) will give you toe out.
03-18-2019, 06:06 PM
#12
03-18-2019, 06:07 PM
#13
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03-19-2019, 03:25 PM
#15
Nordschleife Master
Impossible to say from the pics.
Do you know how to do 'jackstands & strings' to check your alignment?
Short version:
Tie a long string to a jackstand, put it behind the tire. It has to be low (or high) enough that it only hits the sidewalls of the tire, not the rim. I can't tell what wheels you have, but normal man-holes bulge out in the center and can mess this up.
Run the string out in front of the car to another jackstand. Repeat on other side.
Measure distance between strings at front of car, and again as far out as the strings go. I usually go 10 feet (strings are about 15'). Basic geometry (trapezoids) will give you toe. You can get see quite easily if it's not at least close.
It's pretty 'fiddly' and the setup has to be near perfect. I have the string wrapped around the back side of the tire and just barely touching at the front. Double check the string a few times. I use an old folding carpenter's rule. It's rigid and can be put across the span without flexing.I (again) just barely touch the end to one string and see where the other string is without touching. Take each measurement multiple times.
With a bit of effort and a willingness to check and recheck a few times, I can get my toe set pretty good.
Do you know how to do 'jackstands & strings' to check your alignment?
Short version:
Tie a long string to a jackstand, put it behind the tire. It has to be low (or high) enough that it only hits the sidewalls of the tire, not the rim. I can't tell what wheels you have, but normal man-holes bulge out in the center and can mess this up.
Run the string out in front of the car to another jackstand. Repeat on other side.
Measure distance between strings at front of car, and again as far out as the strings go. I usually go 10 feet (strings are about 15'). Basic geometry (trapezoids) will give you toe. You can get see quite easily if it's not at least close.
It's pretty 'fiddly' and the setup has to be near perfect. I have the string wrapped around the back side of the tire and just barely touching at the front. Double check the string a few times. I use an old folding carpenter's rule. It's rigid and can be put across the span without flexing.I (again) just barely touch the end to one string and see where the other string is without touching. Take each measurement multiple times.
With a bit of effort and a willingness to check and recheck a few times, I can get my toe set pretty good.
