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Not another steering rack and washer question!!

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Old Dec 30, 2008 | 12:59 AM
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Not another steering rack and washer question!!

Yep, another one, sorry

I searched and couldnt find where anyone had posted up the measurements for the washers used to space the tie rods out from the steering rack. I saw one person say they were 9/16" ID, but didnt post the OD which is the killer.

So, rather than take my extra steering rack to Home Depot, I thought someone might know the washer size offhand, or have it jotted down somewhere. TIA


Also, can anyone confirm that the PBM spacers for the S chassis fit the FC rack too?
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Old Dec 30, 2008 | 11:13 AM
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just take your tie rod to home depot.
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Old Dec 30, 2008 | 11:45 AM
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im using the PBM spacers on my car, they work, also dxwasherexd or watever his sn is, is using them also
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Old Dec 30, 2008 | 12:16 PM
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Originally Posted by RE TurboII
im using the PBM spacers on my car, they work, also dishwasher or watever his sn is, is using them also
fixt
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Old Dec 30, 2008 | 01:19 PM
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Awesome, I may just get the free joints from PBM then, thanks guys.

Originally Posted by Tatakai
just take your tie rod to home depot.
Taking the tie rod with me wont tell me the ID of the steering rack. This is whrong:

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Old Dec 30, 2008 | 03:20 PM
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I know "a drift" did the washer trick about 2 years ago, I wonder if he still remembers.
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Old Dec 30, 2008 | 08:20 PM
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just 4 threads to work with?

That's fantastic. Now i'm not doing it.
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Old Dec 30, 2008 | 08:49 PM
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Originally Posted by NoPistons!
just 4 threads to work with?

That's fantastic. Now i'm not doing it.
no one says you have to run 3 washers. Hell even one washer should in theory still gain you alittle angel
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Old Dec 30, 2008 | 09:03 PM
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My idea would be to get a caliper and meausre the ID of the rack. The OD of the washer is not important unless it is too big as you have discovered. They can be square if you want them to be. Maybe you could just cut those washers down so they fit in side the rack......make them into square washers or round the edges down with a grinder.
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Old Dec 30, 2008 | 09:15 PM
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LOL why don't you guys check out Roadsterdrift, there was a guy that offered slip on spacers to increase the steering angle for the Miata's, well a number of them started to rip the tie rods out of the racks.

Seriously there are better SAFER methods to increase steering angle, check my post here: https://www.rx7club.com/showpost.php...24&postcount=7
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Old Dec 30, 2008 | 11:41 PM
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Originally Posted by Ranzo
My idea would be to get a caliper and meausre the ID of the rack. The OD of the washer is not important unless it is too big as you have discovered. They can be square if you want them to be. Maybe you could just cut those washers down so they fit in side the rack......make them into square washers or round the edges down with a grinder.
lol that wasnt my picture, I found it in another thread about spacing the tie rods. I dont think the original poster knew why he wasnt getting any super sweet angle

Originally Posted by eyecandy
LOL why don't you guys check out Roadsterdrift, there was a guy that offered slip on spacers to increase the steering angle for the Miata's, well a number of them started to rip the tie rods out of the racks.

Seriously there are better SAFER methods to increase steering angle, check my post here: https://www.rx7club.com/showpost.php...24&postcount=7
Good to know, and that price is pretty awesome ($100 shipped). If I feel like spending the extra dough in the next few days I will let you know, otherwise its PBM for me.


PS, with how many people all over the world that space their tie rods, on all different types of cars, perhaps the Miata guy youre referring to just sold some bad ****? I mean I could see how only having a few threads left would be a bad idea, but if the thread length is at least equal to the diameter of the threaded section I would say its gravy. Of course that is my unedumacated opinion.
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Old Dec 31, 2008 | 12:40 AM
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Originally Posted by eyecandy
Seriously there are better SAFER methods to increase steering angle, check my post here: https://www.rx7club.com/showpost.php...24&postcount=7
unless you are a completely retarded, down syndrome kid there is nothing unsafe about chucking some spacers on the steering rack..

so much cheaper to just go to you local hardware store grab a couple of spacers for a few $$s and go drifting...

way to plug your own product...
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Old Dec 31, 2008 | 05:03 PM
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Originally Posted by eyecandy
LOL why don't you guys check out Roadsterdrift, there was a guy that offered slip on spacers to increase the steering angle for the Miata's, well a number of them started to rip the tie rods out of the racks.

Seriously there are better SAFER methods to increase steering angle, check my post here: https://www.rx7club.com/showpost.php...24&postcount=7

washers are great if you want your wheels to be able to do this:

riped the inner out of the rack, due to the fewer # of threads threaded into the rack. it messed up all the threads, needed new rack.

otherwise spend the few extra bucks and get the real spacers/ or just new inners all together!

secret element has great stuff, that is all i will run on my car.

contact eye candy!
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Old Dec 31, 2008 | 05:07 PM
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Originally Posted by skillzilla
lol that wasnt my picture, I found it in another thread about spacing the tie rods. I dont think the original poster knew why he wasnt getting any super sweet angle



Good to know, and that price is pretty awesome ($100 shipped). If I feel like spending the extra dough in the next few days I will let you know, otherwise its PBM for me.


PS, with how many people all over the world that space their tie rods, on all different types of cars, perhaps the Miata guy youre referring to just sold some bad ****? I mean I could see how only having a few threads left would be a bad idea, but if the thread length is at least equal to the diameter of the threaded section I would say its gravy. Of course that is my unedumacated opinion.
Obviously he did not do his R&D, but this not to bash him or his product, it filled the need for the short time... Next time you are under the car and have the tie rods off, take a look at the threading inside the rack, its counter sunk about 4-6mm (depending on rack and chassis), so when you think you have enough thread engagement you don't. The miata guys that were pulling the tie rods out of the rack had 3-4 threads with locktite......

So lets look at the FC racks/tie rods, the length of the thread on the tie rod is 16mm (diamter 14mm) subtract 4mm (being conservative) for the thread engagement, that leaves 12mm (already less than your desired/opinionated 14mm, add your typical 6mm washers method (3 washers), we are now down to 6mm, which is approx 3-3.5 threads..... take it to the -6mm on counterbore you are now only seeing 4mm or 2 threads of engagement... Do you feel safe with this??

On my Superangle tie rods you get full security of OEM thread engagement with the maximum steering allowed from the rack for yourself and your competitors safety.

Originally Posted by Wezzmo
unless you are a completely retarded, down syndrome kid there is nothing unsafe about chucking some spacers on the steering rack..

so much cheaper to just go to you local hardware store grab a couple of spacers for a few $$s and go drifting...

way to plug your own product...
LOL think again my friend! Read above! Yeah sorry, excuse me for thinking saftey of myself and my competitors over a few bucks and not wanting band-aid cars out on the track with me...... I am not sure how much you value your life....

I will agree it is cheaper to slap a few washers on the tie rods... but let me ask you do you drive without a harness (atleast seatbelts), helmet etc???
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Old Dec 31, 2008 | 05:19 PM
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Originally Posted by setupfc3s
washers are great if you want your wheels to be able to do this:

riped the inner out of the rack, due to the fewer # of threads threaded into the rack. it messed up all the threads, needed new rack.

otherwise spend the few extra bucks and get the real spacers/ or just new inners all together!

secret element has great stuff, that is all i will run on my car.

contact eye candy!

Great pic! (after the fact) But really sucked ***! Made for one long day.....
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Old Dec 31, 2008 | 05:33 PM
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a drift drove from Cali to NJ and back with the washer trick. He also did an event while he was here and had no issues no my knowledge. He probably still has them on his car.
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Old Dec 31, 2008 | 05:36 PM
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hahaha yeah i have never ran washers in the tie rods. I am using the Secret Element Spacer and they are working well for me. would recommend getting the real deal and be done with it.
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Old Dec 31, 2008 | 05:49 PM
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Originally Posted by Ranzo
hahaha yeah i have never ran washers in the tie rods. I am using the Secret Element Spacer and they are working well for me. would recommend getting the real deal and be done with it.
Sent ya a PM!
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Old Dec 31, 2008 | 06:02 PM
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Originally Posted by Turbo II Rotor
a drift drove from Cali to NJ and back with the washer trick. He also did an event while he was here and had no issues no my knowledge. He probably still has them on his car.
Probably wasn't beating the **** out of his vehicle
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Old Dec 31, 2008 | 06:20 PM
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Yeah, who drives hard at an event anyway?
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Old Dec 31, 2008 | 08:01 PM
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Power by max ones are 7mm.7mm is the most I would go , still plenty of thread left to be safe.. One on each tierod. Increases steering angle drasticly. You must redo your toe in/out after you install them. Careful when you remove the tierod from the rack, sometimes you can make the power steering rack leak if your too rough..
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Old Dec 31, 2008 | 09:15 PM
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Originally Posted by Turbo II Rotor
Yeah, who drives hard at an event anyway?
Somthings don't happen 1st,2nd, 3rd time out and so on...but when it does happen you don't want to be part of it.

Originally Posted by dkwasherexd
Power by max ones are 7mm.7mm is the most I would go , still plenty of thread left to be safe.. One on each tierod. Increases steering angle drasticly. You must redo your toe in/out after you install them. Careful when you remove the tierod from the rack, sometimes you can make the power steering rack leak if your too rough..
Read my above post.... The spacers the on Roadsterdrift forum sold were 7mm, and the Miata tie rod threading is longer than the rx7's with 6mm of counterbore on all the racks..... then read/look at setupfc3s, post....... Then check you tie rods/washers/rack....

On removal of the tie rods, the reason the leaking can happen is there is a small locking pin on the rack that needs to be removed. If you ever looked at the OEM tie rods there is a un threaded portion (near the ball joint), the pin locks in place here. You can try to just unthread it but its a 50/50 chance to are taking with potentially damaging the rack, one from over torquing the rack and two damaging the threads. Best thing is to drill and use an easy-out.
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Old Jan 1, 2009 | 02:26 AM
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Hm Im scared now lol. Mines been on for a good 6 months, and random intersection drifts and canyon runs. Havent fully tested my car at a event since the tierod spacers yet, because of so many engine problems and money. Im going to look into buying a angle tie rod to be safe. I dont want to drive 2hours out to willow and then strip my steering rack and get towed home...lol better safe than sorry. Im gunna **** actual bricks if my wheels suddenly looses control n shiz :/

so which brand of tie rods is proven most angle?
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Old Jan 1, 2009 | 03:40 AM
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ok people. stop being so douschey and buy legit ****.

http://www.rhdjapan.com/jdm-low/Supe...C3S-RX-7-22986

god damn
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Old Jan 1, 2009 | 11:22 AM
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I guess I should finally post and back Turbo II Rotor's statements. Thanks man

I did it and am still running it. I have a turbo 2 rack in my car for a quicker response and no power steering. I made it a lil smaller than a 1/4 inch because I wanted more threads too lol. I've been to like 20 track days in this car. I've driven this car thru 20+ States with the washers and they haven't given me any problems at all. Just do it right that's all.

As far as the OD problem. I just grinded mine down so they were square. But to each his own. I'm one of the few success stories for this mod I guess lol

PS: Todd Ho in the bay area is the one who suggested this when I first started drifting a few years ago. He's an awesome driver when it comes to rx7's especially drifting em stock and cheap lol. He never had problems either as far as I know
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