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I keep plugging away - This bump steer stuff is taking a lot of time!
Front spindles are drilled/tapped for 5/8-18 Tie Rod ends, the 16" sleeves were 1" too long so had to cut 1/2" off each of those (and then likely replace with 15" ones later). Finally got it all assembled and started taking some measurements and playing with the new adjustments. I was a bit too excited (and maybe hopeful) that I could just dial this in quick and move on to other things - I spent a few hours not documenting what I did/didn't change and ended up getting lost in the data so I put this job aside and put the gas tank in with the new straps as a distraction.
Ok - Now back to bump steer. One of the things I was hoping to accomplish with the new fancy adjustable parts was the ability to lower the inner tie rods so they'll clear the oil pan. They clear - barely - this is at the physical limits of the steering box. I can lower them about 0.050-0.075" more with more shims and a bit more with some careful filing on the oil pan.
Since this is where I wanted the inners to be, I left it here (centered the steering), set the toe to 0 at ride height and then went through a more methodical process, documenting what I did, and what each result was. I ran out out of time today to continue, but feel that I can get it figured out with this process and more time. The first side will take a long time, the 2nd side should go quickly
. I might have to go back to the purple "baseline" setup and take baby steps to keep the target in my sights while I make adjustments. Right now it's so far off I'm literally guessing what direction and how far to move things and documenting what it did/didn't change. I think this is called the hard way
.
Below is a quick summary of the day's work. The Baseline might have had the signs reversed (so the curve would go the other way), but it looks promising if I can get back there with the lowered inner tie rod position. I don't know how good I can get it, but will report back with what I find. If anyone has done this on a B/D body, I'd love to see what the results were. So much more to learn!
Otherwise not much this weeek - Tires showed up, no rims yet. I took the hitch and bumper to the galvanizer last week - should have them back in a few weeks so I can install those. Probably need to drop the fuel tank to do it though (doh!). Once I get this bump steer stuff figured out, that'll be a big weight off my shoulders.
Front spindles are drilled/tapped for 5/8-18 Tie Rod ends, the 16" sleeves were 1" too long so had to cut 1/2" off each of those (and then likely replace with 15" ones later). Finally got it all assembled and started taking some measurements and playing with the new adjustments. I was a bit too excited (and maybe hopeful) that I could just dial this in quick and move on to other things - I spent a few hours not documenting what I did/didn't change and ended up getting lost in the data so I put this job aside and put the gas tank in with the new straps as a distraction.


Ok - Now back to bump steer. One of the things I was hoping to accomplish with the new fancy adjustable parts was the ability to lower the inner tie rods so they'll clear the oil pan. They clear - barely - this is at the physical limits of the steering box. I can lower them about 0.050-0.075" more with more shims and a bit more with some careful filing on the oil pan.

Since this is where I wanted the inners to be, I left it here (centered the steering), set the toe to 0 at ride height and then went through a more methodical process, documenting what I did, and what each result was. I ran out out of time today to continue, but feel that I can get it figured out with this process and more time. The first side will take a long time, the 2nd side should go quickly
Below is a quick summary of the day's work. The Baseline might have had the signs reversed (so the curve would go the other way), but it looks promising if I can get back there with the lowered inner tie rod position. I don't know how good I can get it, but will report back with what I find. If anyone has done this on a B/D body, I'd love to see what the results were. So much more to learn!


Otherwise not much this weeek - Tires showed up, no rims yet. I took the hitch and bumper to the galvanizer last week - should have them back in a few weeks so I can install those. Probably need to drop the fuel tank to do it though (doh!). Once I get this bump steer stuff figured out, that'll be a big weight off my shoulders.