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Tie- Rod flip

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Offline magiccat

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Tie- Rod flip
« on: May 26, 2006, 11:09:22 PM »
I have a kick with 2.5 in sus lift
Could I flip the tie-rods for better steering?
Or will this make the problem worse?
How could this be bad; if the tie-rods are now paralell,instead of slanted?
I want to make my steering a little more solid.
I hate driving my zuk at speeds over 40 mph; it feels very unstable.
Thanks

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Offline Uncivilized

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Re: Tie- Rod flip
« Reply #1 on: May 27, 2006, 07:09:23 AM »
I have a kick with 2.5 in sus lift
Could I flip the tie-rods for better steering?
Or will this make the problem worse?
How could this be bad; if the tie-rods are now paralell,instead of slanted?
I want to make my steering a little more solid.
I hate driving my zuk at speeds over 40 mph; it feels very unstable.
Thanks
I noticed a while ago Mike Hagen had this done(before his rebuild) I asked him if it would be a good idea on a daily driver/weekend wheeler, although he did say it helped off road, he didn't recomend it for a street driven rig, he said it gets "squirly" on the highway.

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Offline Rhinoman

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Re: Tie- Rod flip
« Reply #2 on: May 27, 2006, 07:36:48 AM »
I have a kick with 2.5 in sus lift
Could I flip the tie-rods for better steering?
Or will this make the problem worse?
How could this be bad; if the tie-rods are now paralell,instead of slanted?
I want to make my steering a little more solid.
I hate driving my zuk at speeds over 40 mph; it feels very unstable.
Thanks

It should be stable at those sort of speeds. I think you need to have a good look at your suspension. Is the toe-in correct? what tyre pressures are you running? How much suspension sag do you have? Something isn't right.
2000 Vitara 1.6, 3+3 Lift, 33"MTs, 5:83s, LWB brakes, Winch, Snorkel, Safari Rack
1986 SJ413K PickUp, 1.6L conversion.

OBD1 - Full diagnostics on a PC/Laptop: http://www.rhinopower.org

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Offline barcus

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Re: Tie- Rod flip
« Reply #3 on: May 27, 2006, 07:51:45 AM »
maybe a steering stabilizer?

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Offline magiccat

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Re: Tie- Rod flip
« Reply #4 on: May 27, 2006, 10:25:08 AM »
My toe was adjusted at an alignment shop about 4 months ago. Now the camber and toe do look off. This morning I am going to try and fix the camber once and for all. Then I will probally get aligned after that.
I have 1 question/
loosen lug nuts
jack up car
remove tire
unbolt the 2 strut to knuckle bolts
pull strut away from knuckle
grind upper strut hole
Then: how in the world so you move the knuckle back up so it can bolt into the strut.
By looking at my frame it seems to bent in both sides near the rear cross-member? I'm sure this could effect handling and ride; yes?
Thanks

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Offline wildgoody

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Re: Tie- Rod flip
« Reply #5 on: May 27, 2006, 10:33:49 AM »
The problem with the steering is not the tierod
location, but the center link, the angle created
with the suspension lift pushes up on the center
link, the center link rotates and the wheels move
from this action, making a kick unstable at speed
and going over bumps.

Solution, a non rotating center link, I'm building one
right now for a project, PM me or reply here for details

Wild     
Real Trucks Are Built, Not Bought,
And Chrome Don't Get Ya Home.  

An armed man is a citizen. An unarmed man is a subject.

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Offline magiccat

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Re: Tie- Rod flip
« Reply #6 on: May 27, 2006, 10:39:09 AM »
I would be interested!
But aren't their other people though that have no problems running the 3in calmini kit?
I only have 2.5 in lift.
I would like info and pics on the center link though/
Thanks

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Offline SiKiD_01

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Re: Tie- Rod flip
« Reply #7 on: May 27, 2006, 10:42:21 AM »
The problem with the steering is not the tierod
location, but the center link, the angle created
with the suspension lift pushes up on the center
link, the center link rotates and the wheels move
from this action, making a kick unstable at speed
and going over bumps.

Solution, a non rotating center link, I'm building one
right now for a project, PM me or reply here for details

Wild     

yes details please if you are allowed to post them up. i am killing off the ball joints in my steering system more easily these days, and so i can either stay tie rod under and have loose ball joints, which results in loose steering anyway, or i can flip the ball joint, and not go fast, or wild can help us build out zooks better.

and i will be running 5" lift.

thanks
1989 Suzuki Vitara... Stock Standard

something closer to home: www.DARWIN4X4.net[/url]

outerlimits4x4.com = Great Tech, Bad Influence

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Offline wildgoody

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Re: Tie- Rod flip
« Reply #8 on: May 27, 2006, 10:50:48 AM »
OK, this center link replaces the ball joints with
sealed Teflon insert ball joints that stay rigid, no
rotation, but also requires yo to drill the steering
box arm and the idler arm for a straight shaft, as
these are not tapered like the stock joints.

I'll get some pics as soon as I get back to the shop
where this is being built
Real Trucks Are Built, Not Bought,
And Chrome Don't Get Ya Home.  

An armed man is a citizen. An unarmed man is a subject.

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Offline Agent Orange

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Re: Tie- Rod flip
« Reply #9 on: May 27, 2006, 12:16:22 PM »
won't this affect the ifs flexing ?


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Offline wildgoody

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Re: Tie- Rod flip
« Reply #10 on: May 27, 2006, 01:33:14 PM »
NO, the center link doesn't affect flexing,
it's a steering component that doesn't
move in the suspension cycle, only when
steering
Real Trucks Are Built, Not Bought,
And Chrome Don't Get Ya Home.  

An armed man is a citizen. An unarmed man is a subject.

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Offline justzukies

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Re: Tie- Rod flip
« Reply #11 on: May 27, 2006, 11:58:50 PM »
I have a 94 4 dr kick with a 3 inch Calmini lift and I am impressed with how stable it feels on the interstate.  I drove it before the lift install and I think it is more stable now.  I drive it at 75 with no worries.   
94 kick 1.6 16V AT 4dr  Calmini 3" lift

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Offline echojeff

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Re: Tie- Rod flip
« Reply #12 on: May 28, 2006, 02:56:12 PM »
  I drive it at 75 with no worries.   

Ok where do you get all the power to move that fast? Obviously you dont drive on the interstate in Colorado where I do with 20 to 30 mph headwinds and hills that keep you well under that speed.  I keep asking myself, why would I want a lift, and bigger tires to compound the problem?  50 more hp please.  Sorry, I am just getting very dissapointed with the lack of power as a dd right now. 
Jeff



95 Kick 4dr JLX.