Steering Arm Ball Joint Interference | FerrariChat

Steering Arm Ball Joint Interference

Discussion in '206/246' started by ehs308, Mar 13, 2016.

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  1. ehs308

    ehs308 Rookie

    Mar 29, 2011
    49
    #1 ehs308, Mar 13, 2016
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    In the process of rebuilding my Dino suspension and noticed after loose fitting the front suspension that the ball joint on the end of the steering arm is interfering (contacting) with the sway bar toe link as I move the steering wheel to full lock. The problem occurs on both the left and right sides after the wheel has turned about 80% of its' travel. Don't recall this occurring prior to the rebuild nor do the old ball joints show any evidence of contact with the sway bar toe link. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
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  2. greg328

    greg328 F1 Rookie

    Nov 17, 2003
    4,209
    Austin, TX USA
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    Greg
    Maybe with wheels on, hubs weighted, there would be no interference? Still seems weird though...

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  3. ehs308

    ehs308 Rookie

    Mar 29, 2011
    49
    Thanks for responding Greg. Thought the same thing but everything moves in unison and I'm not sure that will cure the interference issue. Simulated lightly loading the suspension with a floor jack and still have a problem. Measured everything before disassembly so I would be close when I reassembled the suspension. Weird indeed. I've been scratching my head on this one for a few hours.
     
  4. emcauto

    emcauto Karting

    Jul 1, 2009
    248
    Sorry to tell you your tie rod is upside down ................
     
  5. ehs308

    ehs308 Rookie

    Mar 29, 2011
    49
    #5 ehs308, Mar 13, 2016
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    I thought I might have done that as well until I checked the shop manual ,TAV 30 which shows the tie rods mounted from the underside up through the arm on the upright. Picture of my left front suspension before disassembly shows the same.
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  6. emcauto

    emcauto Karting

    Jul 1, 2009
    248
  7. ehs308

    ehs308 Rookie

    Mar 29, 2011
    49
    Thanks very much emcauto for your help and the link. I'm a bit puzzled at this point having looked at a number of photos of Dino front suspensions and found their tie rods were mounted as mine are. Also looked at photos posted by a Canadian restorer of their finished Dino restoration and their tie rods were mounted the same as mine as well. Also own a 308 and its' tie rods are mounted the same as those in the link you attached. To say I'm confused at this point would be an understatement! Thanks again for your assistance.
     
  8. racerboy9

    racerboy9 F1 Rookie
    Silver Subscribed

    Nov 3, 2003
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    Isn't that a tapered seat on the tie rod and steering arm? How could it go in all the way unless the steering arm is upside down?
     
  9. dgt

    dgt Formula 3
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    Jan 14, 2011
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    Northeast, USA & Oz
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    #9 dgt, Mar 13, 2016
    Last edited: Mar 13, 2016
    There's a woodruff key in the stub axle, only possibilty is swapped left-right but doesn't look like it. Is the top ball joint done up? There might be too much droop in the suspension.
    New shocks? Different top perch height?
     
  10. emcauto

    emcauto Karting

    Jul 1, 2009
    248
    #10 emcauto, Mar 13, 2016
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  11. emcauto

    emcauto Karting

    Jul 1, 2009
    248
    #11 emcauto, Mar 13, 2016
    Last edited: Mar 13, 2016
    Sorry ive edited my post. Its was too long sounded like a six year old . The only question I have is the spindle looks a little different? Who supplied the spindle /?
     
  12. ehs308

    ehs308 Rookie

    Mar 29, 2011
    49
    Thanks for all of the input. Yes, tapered seat on the steering arm only allows the tie rod to go in one way. There is a woodruff key in the steering arm on the upright but those were not removed during disassembly, so they are situated as they came off the car. Shocks and springs are the same, springs were removed for powder coating and reinstalled with new top and bottom perch pads. Understand what emcauto is saying and had the same thought when I began to look closely at it. Certainly makes sense from a safety perspective. Spindle is original as far as I know and wasn't removed from the upright.
     
  13. racerboy9

    racerboy9 F1 Rookie
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    Nov 3, 2003
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    The interference might only happen on full droop as in your picture. I would jack it up slightly and see if you still have interference. Unless you are airborne it might not be a problem in normal driving.
     
  14. emcauto

    emcauto Karting

    Jul 1, 2009
    248
    #14 emcauto, Mar 13, 2016
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    This is from an Audi. You will notice the top nut has a washer and a flat spot for it to sit on the spindle for safety ...........the spindle arm on your Dino should have a flash spot to fit the tie rod ..........is your under or on top? That will give a logical answer to anyone doing tie rods This is just a good example of a tie rod going under the spindle arm that Ii can recall.
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  15. emcauto

    emcauto Karting

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    #15 emcauto, Mar 13, 2016
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  16. fastradio

    fastradio F1 Rookie
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    Apr 26, 2006
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    Assembled correctly; They will bind as you observed at full drop. Nothing to be concerned with...
     
  17. ehs308

    ehs308 Rookie

    Mar 29, 2011
    49
    Thanks for your input David and verifying the assembly is correct. Makes sense that they will bind as pictured (full drop). Will finish up suspension assembly and check for smooth unobstructed turns with wheels mounted and with load on the suspension.
     
  18. yakxx21

    yakxx21 Karting

    Jun 29, 2013
    230
    My Dino had track rod ends 'nut UP' from factory in 1973....not great engineering practice I suppose but thats how it came
     

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