Length of steering ball joints

[John Larkin]

Can anyone tell me the correct length for the outer steering ball joints on a S3 Elan? I have just replaced mine with new items and I have toe-out that I cannot get rid of. The old ball joints are shorter than the new items.

John Larkin.

[billwill]

Please read the topic called "Bum Steer"

elan-f14/bum-steer-t24165.html

[alan.barker]

Hi John,
i think you have been supplied with the wrong track rod ends (for an europa). The correct ones are special to Lotus.
Your ones, are i think 1/4 inche too long. You need to shorten them. Check before the lengh of your tie rods
Alan B

[John Larkin]

Thanks Bill!

Brian Clarke wrote that his new steering ball joints/track rod ends are 3.125" long versus 2.8752 for his old items. This seems to be my problem. I'll measure them tomorrow.

John Larkin/

[John Larkin]

Hi Alan,

I never knew that the Europa track rod ends were longer. Thanks for that information. I'll contact the supplier.

John Larkin

[collins_dan]

When I put my new rod ends on, I had the same issue. The new parts seems to be a different length than the old, surprise! There is a measure in the manual as to how far apart they should be. I just cut a string to the correct length with loops on each end and counted the number of turns when putting them on until they were the correct distance apart and equal number of turns on each side. Dan

[John Larkin]

The steering rack in my car was replaced about fifteen years ago. It now seems that the rack that I have has track rods longer than they should be (maybe +2, or Herald, or ?). It seems the installer compensated by fitting shorter track rod outer ball joints from an Issigonis Mini so that he could achieve correct toe-in. I got replacement new Mini ball joints today and can now adjust toe-in correctly.

Never a dull moment....

John Larkin.

[slowsprinter]

Hi John

I have the same problem as you as I initiated the 'Bum Steer' thread. Can I be bold enough to ask you where you got your new mini track rod ends from? That maybe a way to go for me too.

Thanks
Ian.

[John Larkin]

Hi Ian,

I got them in a local motor factors. They are unbranded, so possibly they are oriental rubbish, but they will do for the next few weeks until I change them to branded items. You can buy them online at http://www.minispares.com/

Regards,

John Larkin.

[slowsprinter]

John

Thanks for the link. My before Christmas project to finally get my steering sorted!

Ian.