When you installed the tie rod ends and sleeves, did you count the turns on the sleeves and ends to makes sure both sides are equal? Then with the steering wheel centered, you would adjust both sides back and forth to get close on your alignment. Now you can fine tune.

There was maybe 1 thread of engagement difference. I'm thinking the lowered springs and taller tie rod ends created the issue.

I had it all reset and ready to go for the 'final' test drive just when the rain set in.......Oregon, it's so beautiful this time of year. :D

Tie rod sleeve update: I ground 2mm off each end of the left sleeve which almost squared the wheel up. :bang: I need to take another mm off each end.

Regarding the grease zerk on the bar mount, I took two old zerks and ground the threaded end to remove the ball and spring, then ground the nipple down and JB Welded them. After a couple hundred miles of back road testing no contact.

http://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-V...VRG8XGx-XL.jpg

Overall the modifications made a big improvement in the handling, the Hotchkis springs and hollow bar feel great, same for my initial alignment. Car tracks better, turn-in is solid, mid-corner input precise, and I haven't incurred a bottoming incident yet. Under hard braking with the new bushings the car is much more stable as well. All the work was well worth it IMO.

The wife wanted to go for a Mother's Day morning road trip so we ran up the McKenzie River valley about 35 miles on secondary roads to a small cafe hoping to grab breakfast.........place was slammed, so naturally with a hungry wife on Mother's Day I had to pick up the pace on the return trip. LOL

Took a side trip up what used to be my old driveway back in '93-'94 which was also the place I proposed to her.

http://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-V...VbL2JG3-XL.jpg

http://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-K...KxPkzkj-X2.jpg

Regarding local roads that start 5 minutes from the house........I'm pretty spoiled.

http://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-V...VFTWcxh-X2.jpg

http://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-q...q2FRRWV-XL.jpg

Nice work as always...

But I can't get that damn video to work. :slingshot:

Wait! On Mothers Day you made HER get out and take the photo?!?!?!






Nice work. Literally.

Nice roads. You must get it up to, what, 30-35 mph? :headspin:

Road speed signs are THE MAXIMUM speeds for those roads... So he didn't necessarily have to get up to the posted MAX...

Thanks.

LOL :flashie:

I'm going to produce a short edited video of my favorite roads this summer of those........promise. :thumbsup:

.......and what speed have you had you car up to lately? :action-smiley-027:

It's getting G-Zone, works for me. :unibrow:

You should have seen the look on the old female joggers face yesterday morning......she was trotting against traffic on the inside of a tight posted 30 mph right-hander that was somewhat obscured by the spring roadside bloom and I was pushing it a little.....like x2 but in forth gear to keep db's respectable of course :confused59: That's when I realized and appreciated how good the steering response is now mid-corner. :rules:

All the wife said was whoa sh*t! :D