question about 1969 camaro steering linkage?

[yam924]

Hi,
I am a new member to the Lateral G forum. I am building a 1969 Camaro with a blown 427, manual transmission, and all the usual Pro-touring suspension goodies. I have run into an issue concerning the steering linkage, and am looking to see if anyone has come across this.
The car has stock inner tie rod ends and Baer racing bump stop outer ends.
The car is equipped with Gobal West lower tubular control arms and aftermarket adjustable upper arms. The spindles and steering arms are stock, and the car was equipped with manual front drum brakes originally. I have since changed over to the Baer Track system.
My issue is that the tie rod ends appear to be too long. The replacement inner ends are threaded up to the same place on the body of the tie rod as the stock original, so that's not the issue. The sleeves are 8 3/4" long on the bump steer rod, and both ends are bottomed out. The wheels are toed in and seems to still lack about 3" from being able to set the wheels straight. I have contacted Baer and they say that the part number for the rod ends I purchaced are correct, and even ran the stamped numbers on the sleeve to verify they were correct.
Any ideas?

Thanks!

[strtlegal]

Had the same problem, had no way of fixing it unless you add threads to the inner tie rod end and cut some off they are to long..I evern tried it with out the nut. I've scene several people have this problem but no one has mentioned what they've done to fix it...

Curious to see how it was fixed, you could pm James that one One Lap Camaro and find out what they did, since I know he is running them..

Good luck

[yam924]

Thanks for the info. I am very surprised that Baer is un-aware of this and what the fix is. I have spoken to two different guys over there and they don't seem to have any idea why I am having the issue. It seems as though a shorter sleeve would be the simple fix. The problem I would have with threading the tie rod further up the rod is that it steps up in diameter shortly after where the threads end now. I would have to machine the rod down to thread it further. They are replacement units I purchased from Rick's Camaro parts and the ball sockets are beefier, but other than that they are identical in thread lenght and over all length as my stock originals.

[strtlegal]

Your right I forgot about that..You cant switch the outer tie rods for inners can you? I think the threads would be off right?
Well if someone else chimes in about the same problem send them a link to this site

[yam924]

On 68 and 69 cars, both rod ends are right handed thread, so changing over an inner end would work, except then it is too short. Not enough of the threads would be into the sleeve to feel comfortable about leaning it into a corner. I may have to try and find another style inner rod end that I could cut and thread farther down unless someone out there has a better answer.

Thanks!

[James OLC]

I've used the Baer Tracker pieces on a couple of cars but have never encountered this issue. I wonder if there could be some variability in the length of the replacement tie rod ends?