rlewi771

I'm currently looking to purchase some new wheels for my 86 Iroc. I will be going the custom route (CCW or something similar) so I can pretty much have the wheels built to whatever specs I come up with (to an extent). I've been doing some measuring and trying to decide what sizes to run and want to know if anyone has gone this route that has drop spindles. What I want to know is will the tie rod fit inside the wheel using an 18'' diameter rim. Its pretty well known that they will on a car with stock spindles, i'm just wondering has anyone done it with a 2'' drop spindle. I looked at it this past weekend and it looks damn close. Close to the point that I could see one wheel manufacturer fitting and another not fitting if they have a slightly different design when it comes to the wheels. I'd really like to squeeze something wider than an 8'' wide wheel onto the front, all while keeping everything under the fender. Thank you

fast377

iTrader: (4)

In my experience...no. First, note that I am using the drop spindles with the shorter steering arm for rack and pinion steering...so that slightly changes the location of the tie rod. With an 18x8 front wheel (with proper offset), a stock tie rod would make contact with the hoop of the wheel. Grinding on the tie rod gave a little clearance. I currently have a 19x9 (custom built to my specs) front wheel with a rod end style tie rod, and have plenty of room. I don't think that the standard length steering arm would give any more room...but it might.

BlackenedBird

iTrader: (5)

I don't see how the fit issue would be any different with spinges vs springs or a-arms. The tie rod can still be an issue with any of those lowering options.

I have Ground Control Weight Jacks, 17"x9"5"bs & if they were 16" wheels, it wouldn't work. My tie rod is right at the wheel.

The only way to really solve the fit issue is the correct bs & wheel diameter (17" or larger).

Once you get low, the other possible intereference issue (besides thed fenderwell & inner fender lip) is the strut itself. I have seen an upper lip on some them come real close to interfering with the wheel lip, which is again solved by wheel diameter & bs.

fast377

iTrader: (4)

Due to the nature of a drop spindle, there is almost always either a tight fit or interference with the tie rod even with a stock wheel. The fact that the spindle moves the wheel up in relation to the spindle, brings the steering arm closer the the wheel hoop.

Wheels with improper back spacing can cause issues on a stock suspension car. A wheel that fits a car with a stock spindle through its entire suspension swing with no spring installed, will not necessarily work on the same car with a drop spindle.

BlackenedBird

iTrader: (5)

I see your point, but all mine are are drop springs & I almost had the tie rod fit issue. With my 97 Tahoe, I had Lower Control Arm issues. I used a stock 17"x9" Impala SS wheel & the lower a-arm actually hit the rim, so I had to cut back the lower lip of the lower a-arm to clear they wheel.

What I'm getting at, is that the issues being raised here regarding the tie rod fitting, is no different than the fit issue I had with just dropped springs.

rlewi771

Thank you for the response. From looking at racecrafts website and comparing the spindle for a steering rack to the spindle I have for stock style steering, it appears the rack style steering arm extends straight out from the spindle whereas the stock style steering actually is angled back towards the center of the car a little bit (which would provide more clearence). Racecraft says that the rack style will not fit with the stock wheels so i'm hoping that is because that style has even less tie rod clearence than the stock style. Your response was spot on, I just hope someone with the stock style will chime in as I think there will be a difference between the two. thanks again

rlewi771

sorry but you are way off here. the reason you had issues is due to those impala wheels having a different offset than your stock rims, absolutely nothing to do with lowering springs. no part of the lowering springs is going to bring the wheel in closer to the tie rod. fast377 covered it already tho

fast377

iTrader: (4)

Glad I could help. There are only a handful of us on here using those spindles...and only another handful with the old belltech ones. I can't remember who has the racecraft ones for the stock steering setup. You might try searching it...if I remember, I'll post.

fast377

iTrader: (4)

Here's one: https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/susp...clearance.html

BlackenedBird

iTrader: (5)

Whatever. Since your not reading clearly, I'm out of here. Unsubscribed!

rlewi771

hmmm. Looking at dust3r's pictures showing his clearence issue with a 17...it looks as if the 18 probably still wouldn't clear that tie rod. I dont want to have to go to 19's. Dust3r bought 18X8'' ccw's and has them on the car now, I'm going to try and message him and see if they look like they'd clear. thanks

rlewi771

my other thought is i'm going to start searching to see if I can find an outer tie rod that is more compact

rlewi771

Fast...from searching the forums I saw some pics of your rod end tie rods...where'd you get them? I'd definitely want to at least give those a try to try and gain a little more room. Thank you

//<86TA>\\

iTrader: (14)

they are usually called bump steer kits, Spohn sells one, as do a few other people. If you look around some parts places and circle place sites you can put a setup together for about half what you will pay for a kit.

use good high quality rod ends

fast377

iTrader: (4)

Agreed. Mine are the Baer bumpstop kit. Kind of pricey from what I remember, but you could definitely make your own. Especially in my case, since I no longer have the tapered hole in my steering arm for the stock tie rod...it's drilled out to accept a solid 5/8" bolt.

rlewi771

Thanks for all the help. I think that with a rod end I may be able to squeeze the 18 over it, we will see. I've found some rod ends online that will do the trick but what i'm having trouble finding is the hardware to attach it with. I'm looking for a tapered bolt/stud to mimmic the stock tie rod to attach to the steering arm on the spindle. I assume the reason they are tapered from the factory is so that it is essentially a pressed in fit once you tighten the nut on top so that you have zero slop in that attachment at the steering arm. How does the 5/8'' bolt work for you? (I'd obviously use the best quality rod end and bolt possible, I just want to ensure there wouldn't be any slop) Thanks

fast377

iTrader: (4)

I might have been able to fit the 18s with rod ends, but I was getting new wheels anyway, so I never bothered. What I have now works just fine.

The 5/8 bolt works just fine...no slop. The trick is to buy a very high quality drill bit, and drill perfectly straight. Now, the bolt type setup is a more track oriented deal...in fact, when you usually see that setup it's on a dedicated track car. My car doesn't get driven much on the street or track (I don't drive it at all right now...still buttoning everything up), but I'm confident it will work just fine for me.