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Date:         Wed, 5 Mar 2008 21:26:16 -0800
Reply-To:     Kevin Carrubba <kcarrubba@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Kevin Carrubba <kcarrubba@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Tie Rods
Comments: To: Scott Daniel - Shazam <scottdaniel@turbovans.com>
In-Reply-To:  <034201c87f3d$6e399820$6401a8c0@DJZL7KF1>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=WINDOWS-1252; format=flowed; delsp=yes

Hi Scott, Thank you for sharing your experience, I appreciate it. Sounds like were on the same page on the if it ain't broke don't fix it. I sold my 70 bug recently because the replacement parts were making the car

unreliable. Looks like I need to check the rack first, great idea I would have never thought to check that.

Thanks Again

Kevin

On Mar 5, 2008, at 7:51 PM, Scott Daniel - Shazam wrote:

> They’re not weak or usually failing on vanagons in my experience. > I tend to leave good working parts in service. > Depending on what you get as a replacement, the replacement ones may

> not even be as well made as originals from ‘the fatherland.’ > > It’s not a full alignment of course, but you can adjust toe just > fine yourself without getting a whole official alignment, > You can even center the steering wheel ( besides just re-spline-ing

> it where it attaches to the steer shaft ) by figuring out which tie

> rod to lengthen or shorten while you dial in the toe. > > However a full real alignment of course is much better. > I would say tie rods only fail from jillioins of miles, or out of > round tires, or out of balance tires, or tires feathered from not > having it alignment, or worn shocks. > ‘by themselves’ they don’t just wear out really, or not that

> easily. It’s all the other factors. > I see a hundred different vanagon tie rods a year, and barely find > one or two bad, if that. Vanagon front ends are really good, > You keep good smooth balanced tires on there, and good shocks, > And drive it nice – vanagon front ends last really well. > > Tips – don’t wrench of the rack itself undoing the inner ends if you > can help it. > Count threads when you unscrew the outer end, so you can get back > close. > If it’s just the outer ‘ball pivot’ at the wheel that’s bad, you can > just replace that. They are ALL, fortunately, right hand thread > where they screw on the tie rod. That helps a lot. Some cars have > left threads on one end, right on the other, and some people mix ‘em > up, or you forget which way to turn it to adjust toe, it’s a mess,

> but another GREAT things about vanagons is the tie rod ends both > have right hand threads. > Have fun ! > Do good work. And just to be clear, the ‘right thing’ is a full

> complete alignment afterwards. The tie rods are so reliable, that

> I think I’d take good original ones over aftermarket ones many times. > Check tires for out of roundness and trueness while it’s up. > Tire balance has to be decent too, otherwise it beats the tie rods > and rack. > Oh ! – make sure your play at the wheel is really tie rods and not

> the bushing in the end of the rack being shot, allowing up down > movement there, which shows up as what appears to be tie rod play > out at the wheel. > And gotta have medium decent shocks at least too of course. > Scott > www.turbovans.com > > -----Original Message----- > From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On > Behalf Of Kevin Carrubba > Sent: Wednesday, March 05, 2008 7:32 PM > To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM > Subject: Tie Rods > > HI Folks, > I'm back in lurker mode as my van is finally starting to dry off after > another wet winter. I'm noticing my right tie rod has some play in it > and I"m sure needs replacing as it has not been replaced since I have > owned the van. So is it recommended to do both sides? The other side > seems tight but I would hate to do this and need another alignment a > week later. I've never done these before any things to watch out for? > > Thanks > Kevin > 87 Westy EJ22 > Vashon WA > > > -- > No virus found in this incoming message. > Checked by AVG Free Edition. > Version: 7.5.516 / Virus Database: 269.21.4/1313 - Release Date: > 3/5/2008 9:50 AM >


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