VWDiesel.net The IDI, TDI, and mTDI source.

General Information => General => Topic started by: burn_your_money on November 22, 2011, 07:55:51 am

Title: Tie rod troubles MK2
Post by: burn_your_money on November 22, 2011, 07:55:51 am
My brother just called me and is having some problems working on my other brother's 91 Golf with a 1.9 NA diesel in it. His outer tie-rod is worn on the drivers side so he bought a replacement. They only bought the outer. Now the tie-rod on the car doesn't have a lock nut against the outer tie-rod, is this normal? It was fully threaded onto the tie-rod, leaving no room for a lock nut. Also, there is no flat spot for holding the tie-rod while taking off the outer off. Is this normal?
Title: Re: Tie rod troubles MK2
Post by: 8v-of-fury on November 22, 2011, 09:03:47 am
How in gods green earth did they ever align this car?? The inner threads in so far to give you the lock-to-lock of the steering.. But the adjustment is in the outer.
Title: Re: Tie rod troubles MK2
Post by: bajacalal on November 22, 2011, 09:11:44 am
I thought VW originally used non-adjustable tie rod assemblies on one side of the car (probably to save money).

The solution is to throw it away and get both the inner and outer tie rods for that side, the aftermarket replacement ones should be adjustable when you put them together. 
Title: Re: Tie rod troubles MK2
Post by: znate on November 22, 2011, 09:16:13 am
Burns brother here,

I think we've decided to replace the whole tie rod. We were able to get the thing turning by using some huge pipe wrenches but it just turns and turns but doesn't come off, theres not even any threads showing. I think it's a non adjustable type. I read somewhere online about vw using a non adjustable on one side so that the rack remains centered when an alignment is done.

Anyone know what size the inner tie rod nut is? My biggest wrench is 24mm and it's too small.

Title: Re: Tie rod troubles MK2
Post by: bajacalal on November 22, 2011, 09:24:14 am
I use an adjustable wrench- a good one, not a loose crappy one. My guess would be 26, 27 or or 30 mm. Those are sizes you run into a lot. Sorry I can't be more specefic.
Title: Re: Tie rod troubles MK2
Post by: burn_your_money on November 22, 2011, 02:34:45 pm
34mm according to vortex
Title: Re: Tie rod troubles MK2
Post by: R.O.R-2.0 on November 22, 2011, 06:00:05 pm
stock, mk2 only has one side adjustible..

if the drivers side tie rod has any issues, you have to buy a new inner and outter tie rod, because the new inner will be threaded to accept the new outter..

so, on the drivers side, you replace the whole tie rod if its an original piece..
Title: Re: Tie rod troubles MK2
Post by: R.O.R-2.0 on November 22, 2011, 06:01:00 pm
34mm according to vortex

whatever is the same as 15/16... thats what i use on that nut.
Title: Re: Tie rod troubles MK2
Post by: bajacalal on November 22, 2011, 06:10:46 pm
34mm according to vortex

whatever is the same as 15/16... thats what i use on that nut.

That would be a lot closer to 24 mm.

Also, IIRC it's not a "hex" nut but something like a gland nut with only 2 flat sides.
Title: Re: Tie rod troubles MK2
Post by: 8v-of-fury on November 22, 2011, 08:21:22 pm
znate and Tyler check out your local Crap Tire. They rent out a tie-rod tool.

I cant recall if they have our size in the kit though..... Crappp.
Title: Re: Tie rod troubles MK2
Post by: ORCoaster on November 22, 2011, 08:26:23 pm
34mm according to vortex

Another reason to suspect the information found on "that other forum" 

15/16" = 24 mm in my tool box. 
Title: Re: Tie rod troubles MK2
Post by: CRSMP5 on November 22, 2011, 08:36:21 pm
power steering ha both adjustable non power has one solid one adjustable

Title: Re: Tie rod troubles MK2
Post by: burn_your_money on November 25, 2011, 02:05:21 pm
power steering ha both adjustable non power has one solid one adjustable

Meaning the replacement should not be adjustable? The car does not have PS
Title: Re: Tie rod troubles MK2
Post by: CRSMP5 on November 25, 2011, 02:42:22 pm
id buy a right side set up for the left...
Title: Re: Tie rod troubles MK2
Post by: burn_your_money on November 25, 2011, 03:03:19 pm
Aren't they offset? It would mess up the geometry would it not?
Title: Re: Tie rod troubles MK2
Post by: CRSMP5 on November 25, 2011, 09:35:31 pm
been so long.. LOL.. if the ends are angled.. yea cannot do that.. if straight you can.. i know mk1 you can... but cannot rember if vr6 is straight or angled.. and its oppisite of vr6.. :P dont see many mk2 anymore..
Title: Re: Tie rod troubles MK2
Post by: srgtlord on November 26, 2011, 08:54:08 am
What are you guys talking about , both sides are adjustable. I Still drive a 1987 mk2 with a manual steering rack. Go to germanautoparts.com and get the correct part.
Title: Re: Tie rod troubles MK2
Post by: R.O.R-2.0 on November 26, 2011, 01:21:37 pm
Aren't they offset? It would mess up the geometry would it not?

you buy a new drivers side inner tie rod, and then buy a new tie rod end.. the tie rod end is universal, either L or R work on either side.

the replacement inner tie rod will have threads like the drivers side one, and will take the same outter tie rod that the drivers side has..
Title: Re: Tie rod troubles MK2
Post by: srgtlord on November 28, 2011, 07:41:34 pm
...the tie rod ends are angled differently for each side and are marked R for right and L for left
Title: Re: Tie rod troubles MK2
Post by: R.O.R-2.0 on November 29, 2011, 12:50:48 pm
...the tie rod ends are angled differently for each side and are marked R for right and L for left

look at a mk3, they use the same tie rod end on both sides.. i promise. ive seen QUITE A FEW of them, from working in junk yards, and just in general while im browsing the yards..
Title: Re: Tie rod troubles MK2
Post by: CRSMP5 on November 29, 2011, 02:30:12 pm
vr6 and 2.slow/tdi are different... one is side specific.. other is not.. just do not rember which... next.. mk3... did they even have no power steering in them?

ill have to look at the 86 coupe vr6t project... its non power... and i have the vr6 stuff to put in it... so ill have a defenitive answere tonight...
Title: Re: Tie rod troubles MK2
Post by: R.O.R-2.0 on November 30, 2011, 08:23:58 am
vr6 and 2.slow/tdi are different... one is side specific.. other is not.. just do not rember which... next.. mk3... did they even have no power steering in them?

ill have to look at the 86 coupe vr6t project... its non power... and i have the vr6 stuff to put in it... so ill have a defenitive answere tonight...

well, my 85 GTI still has a left tie rod end on the right side. aligned perfect, was the same part as what i took off even.
Title: Re: Tie rod troubles MK2
Post by: CRSMP5 on November 30, 2011, 09:26:27 am
okk my findings..

86 coupe.. has a right/left specific angle on each end at spindle.. bent say like a golf club end of putter..

mk3 vr6.. is also same with angle.. but power steering

b3/b4 vr6 passat is straight.. but 2.0/tdi is angled..

so no i do not see how it can be swapped from side to side per say... unless you buy a right side inner.. and proper outter...
Title: Re: Tie rod troubles MK2
Post by: R.O.R-2.0 on November 30, 2011, 09:28:40 am
i un-screwed a left tie rod end off a late mk3 2.0 w/ power steer, screwed it on my right side tie rod, and got it aligned..
Title: Re: Tie rod troubles MK2
Post by: burn_your_money on December 01, 2011, 05:02:50 pm
next.. mk3... did they even have no power steering in them?

No. Never.
Title: Re: Tie rod troubles MK2
Post by: vanbcguy on December 02, 2011, 07:11:29 pm
There is a manual steering rack available for the Mk III though...

http://parts.autopartsonlinecanada.com/parts/apocanada/quote.jsp?year=1994&product=M1000-124109&application=000551063&part=Steering%20Rack&category=M

:)
Title: Re: Tie rod troubles MK2
Post by: burn_your_money on December 02, 2011, 07:18:44 pm
Very interesting...

It was my understanding from the limited research that I did in the past that the issue is finding tie rods since the mk3 ones are a few inches longer than the mk2 ones.

Title: Re: Tie rod troubles MK2
Post by: R.O.R-2.0 on December 05, 2011, 11:19:36 am
tyler:

"A Crock" meaning that if you think the Loop is going to convert your PS rack into a non-PS rack and be comparable to a Stock VW non-PS rack, it is a total crock. This is how these are (or at least were) being marketed. If you have no other choice (for whatever reason) but to use a PS rack with no pump, then I could see using this loop pipe. However I would strongly question why.

If you really want manual steering then you should use a MKII manual rack with the proper tie rod ends for your application (Canadian mk3 manual Tie Rod Ends are needed for Corrado + suspension). The gear ratios will be correct, etc."

pulled directly off the Whoretex..
Title: Re: Tie rod troubles MK2
Post by: burn_your_money on December 05, 2011, 12:24:53 pm
I've had both the looped (Actually cut) PS rack and the proper manual rack. There is worlds of difference between the two. My brothers car has the proper mk2 manual rack.

The reason for running the cut PS lines was because the mounting holes for the PS pump were broken so I couldn't tighten the belt properly and was worried about overheating. I figured if I wasn't using the PS pump I should delete it and save some weight and engine bay space.

"Canadian mk3 manual Tie Rod Ends" do not exist AFAIK