GTA/V6 steering rack track rods

I have a 98 V6 with a GTA steering rack and subframe on it. It came off a car that had been crashed. I can't remember which side it was but one of the track rods was bent, so I did the obvious thing and replaced it with the track rod off the v6.

I didn't compare the 2 in terms of length. At least I think I didn't.

We set the rack up by finding the centre of its lock to lock movement whilst it was on the car and set the wheels parallel as best we could using the thread on the track rods.

I took the car to be tracked yesterday. One wheel was 10mm out. It was then set to GTA spec.

Guy then sticks his head out and tells me the track rods are way out in terms of thread left per side and asks me if I want it sorting? I agreed and left thinking all was now good.

I very quickly realised that all was not good. From straight ahead I have ~0.7 turns of left hand lock and ~1.0 of right hand lock.

I think its because the V6 track rod is different to the GTA one?

However, I took it back and told the to back the rack off to what I thought would be central and bring the wheels back in line on tracking adjustment.

They obliged but I still have the same problem. 1.0 turn of right hand and .75 of left. WTF?

So I have no idea what's going on. You can't buy track rods seperate from the rack, I have no idea which side the gta/v6 track rod is on........

B*****KS!

Any help would be appreciated

I think i can help you..clear your inbox (its probably full since we are only alloted 5 !!) and ill send you a pm with my contact details i think we need to speak over the phone on this one.

NM.. here is the short story.. Outer track rods are all the same (TS, 2.5, JTD, GTA)

Inner track rods (the ones you can't buy) are in three different types. TS,2.5/JTD and GTA.

I would think you can solve it by setting the wheels parallel, with a safe amount of thread on the 2.5 inner track rod (which would be the shortest of the two you have on) and then reallign the steering wheel to center position. You might have to adjust the tracking again, after you reallingen the steering wheel, since it will probably be a bit off center.

The GTA lock.to-lock is 1.7 turn, the 2.5/JTD lock-to.lock is as i recall it 2.1 and TS lock-to-lock is 2.4 (not quite sure if the last two is accurate, so pls correct me if i am wrong)

Hope this helps.

Just to clarify:

I first came across a similar problem when i wanted to fit GTA hubs/brakes to my TS. The inner tie rod was too short to connect to the outer tire rod, or more precise, it only connected with a new mm of threading, and was definitely not road safe.

On the V6 it is not a problem, but with safe threading and lowerd suspension you do get some bump steer on full lock, it also wears out the inner tie rods very quickly, so you are definitely doing the right thing in fitting the GTA rack. (i wanted to do the same as you recall) I dont know it the V6 inner track rod is short enough to cause you problems, but i should think not..

Originally Posted by Peter K

NM.. here is the short story.. Outer track rods are all the same (TS, 2.5, JTD, GTA)

Inner track rods (the ones you can't buy) are in three different types. TS,2.5/JTD and GTA.

I would think you can solve it by setting the wheels parallel, with a safe amount of thread on the 2.5 inner track rod (which would be the shortest of the two you have on) and then reallign the steering wheel to center position. You might have to adjust the tracking again, after you reallingen the steering wheel, since it will probably be a bit off center.

The GTA lock.to-lock is 1.7 turn, the 2.5/JTD lock-to.lock is as i recall it 2.1 and TS lock-to-lock is 2.4 (not quite sure if the last two is accurate, so pls correct me if i am wrong)

Hope this helps.

Thanks Peter. PM box emptied.

That's exactly what I have done, but the rack isn't quite central and I only have about 5-6mm of thread left in the track rod end.

Decided to buy another rack and cannibalise it.

Come monday or tuesday latest, i should be recieving a new inner track rod, but i suspect they might have made me a TS one.. can you measure the ones you got and send me the data? if you can use the one i am getting you can have it at cost price, ill just order another one, (ordered it for a spare part..bringing a few "essentials" along for next months Ring trip/Training)

Originally Posted by Peter K

Come monday or tuesday latest, i should be recieving a new inner track rod, but i suspect they might have made me a TS one.. can you measure the ones you got and send me the data? if you can use the one i am getting you can have it at cost price, ill just order another one, (ordered it for a spare part..bringing a few "essentials" along for next months Ring trip/Training)

Its on the car. I don't have a spare one to measure otherwise I'd make one myself.... I have a lathe.