Deep Thoughts: Service Manual Musings

[eric8]

Many of you may not have even realized this was in the books. But alas, I’m a nerd who reads the factory manual for fun, so I notice these things.

I can understand the point the FSM makes regarding the gap in the tie rod clamp openings not directly lining up with the tie rod sleeve gaps.

However, is there any reason why the clamps must point with the bolt ends forward, and within the 45 degree range of travel (from the 6 o o'clock position forward)?

I’ve moved the steering lock to lock, and I don’t see it being an interference issue if they were clocked differently from this 45 degree range.

[RustyPile]

During Toe adjustments, both clamps are loosened and the sleeve is rotated to achieve the proper toe amount.. The angle of the bolt and the relation between the bolt head and surrounding objects will vary in each and every vehicle.. As long as the clamp "gap" and the sleeve "gap" don't line up, you have nothing to worry about..

[Getter-Done]

Flip for ya.



I used to study these books when I was in Grade school.

I had the horsepower and cid of every year memorized.

Momma told me I needed to apply that to my School books.

What was the fun in that.

[eric8]

Thanks for the photo flip.

I’ve got my toe adjusted perfectly, steering box and steering wheel are dead nuts centered, tick mark on steering shaft at 12 o’clock,pitman arm pointing straight to the rear, and as luck would have it, one adjuster sleeve falls right in the middle of the 45 degree arc shown in the photo. The perfectionist in me really wants to have the clamps angled by the book, but that won’t happen if I offset the gaps.

I guess I’ll have to live with them clocked “wrong.” Hopefully I won’t lose too much sleep. 😁

[raggedjim]

Consistency, you can't have them pointing every which way, all willy-nilly.

[Azryael]

This was something I was taught growing up, but I was always told to position any tie rod clamp at least 30° from the gap in the tie rod tube itself, but I always figured myself as long as they weren't lined up and you had 5-10° of separation you were good.

[eric8]

Originally Posted by Azryael

This was something I was taught growing up, but I was always told to position any tie rod clamp at least 30° from the gap in the tie rod tube itself, but I always figured myself as long as they weren't lined up and you had 5-10° of separation you were good.

Yeah I think as others have pointed out that this is the most critical part. Offset your gaps sufficiently and let the clamp angle fall where it does (or where you like them positioned.). The G model (vans) shows them oriented completely different from the C series. My guess is the angle of the clamp shown has to do with bolt access more than anything based on what chassis it’s in. (I still don’t know why the forum rotates my images when I upload?)

[Azryael]

That is odd that they'd illustrate it like that as across multiple makes and models, I've never had it be quite that simple. Hell, I've had it in some cases where the orientation of the passenger's side clamps and driver's side clamps on tie rods aren't even lined up.

Perhaps at the factory they had the setup to ensure their illustrations and the alignment were 100%. I will be calling them tomorrow to get those machines!